Assessment of Rumen Microbiota from a Large Dairy Cattle Cohort Reveals the Pan and Core Bacteriomes Contributing to Varied Phenotypes

Abstract

This study revealed the rumen bacteriome from a large dairy cattle cohort ( n = 334) raised under the same management and showed the linkages among the rumen core and pan bacteriomes, rumen short-chain fatty acids, and milk production phenotypes. The findings from this study suggest that the pan rumen bacteriome, together with the core bacteriome, potentially contributes to variations in host milk production traits. Fundamental knowledge on the rumen core and pan microbiomes and their roles in contributing to lactation performance provides novel insights into future strategies for manipulating rumen microbiota to enhance milk production in dairy cattle.