16S rRNA and metabolomics reveal the key microbes and key metabolites that regulate diarrhea in Holstein male calves

• DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1521719
• Publication Date: 2025-01-15T19:22:57Z
• Authors: P. P. Cao; C. L. Hu; M. J. Li; Y. H. An; X. Feng; X. H. Ma; D. Z. Wang; Z. H. Song; G. S. Ji; D. Yang; Q. Ma; W. F. Yang; J. N. Dong; H. R. Zhang; Y. Ma; Y. F. Ma
• Keywords: Holstein Cattle

Diarrhea is a prevalent disease among calves, which significantly hinders their growth and development, thereby impacting farm productivity revenue. This study aimed to investigate the impact of diarrhea on calf growth. Holstein male calves with similar birth weight (39.5 ± 4.2 kg) were included in this study, key parameters such as fecal score, incidence, performance from weaning measured. Rectal samples both diarrheic (n = 24) healthy aged 1-4 weeks analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing untargeted metabolomics. Our findings indicated high prevalence between age pasture, led marked decrease performance, including average daily gain. At genus level, relative abundance GCA-900066575 one-week-old was higher; Escherichia-Shigella Pseudoflavonifractor more abundant two-week-old calves; while Tyzzerella Lachnospiraceae_UCG-004 increased four-week-old correlated negatively gain, suggesting that these bacteria may promote occurrence diarrhea. Correlation analysis revealed metabolites arachidonic acid, cis-vaccenic oleic choline, creatinine, others calves. WGNCA identified dark magenta module associated traits weeks. Thirteen metabolites, glycerophospholipids (such 1-stearoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine), fatty acids dodecanoic acid), positively GCA-900066575, Escherichia-shigella, Tyzzerella, Clostridium_butyricum, but UBA1819, Lachnoclostridium_sp_YL32, Clostridium_scindens. Therefore, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-004, are likely bacterial genera causing glycerol phospholipids, critical condition. These alterations microbiota metabolite composition found be principal contributors retardation