UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF DIET, HOST GENETICS AND EARLY LIFE INTERVENTIONS ON RUMEN MICROBIOME

Abstract

The rumen microbiome often considered as the ruminant's second genome, facilitates the transformation of low quality feeds into high quality protein food (meat and milk) and other valuable animal products. These microbes alter the ruminal environment and help produce substrates for the host’s energy and body requirements. Several key factors influence rumen microbiota and fermentation, including diet, host genetics, and early life interventions. The potential to manipulate the rumen microbiome and meet global livestock challenges through animal breeding and introduction of dietary interventions during early life have recently emerged as promising new technologies. Advances in computational tools, high-throughput sequencing technologies and cultivation-independent “omics” approaches have provided profound insights into the rumen microbiome world, wherein a consortium of archaea, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses exist and interact. This will ultimately provide the knowledge framework needed to solve current and future
ruminant livestock challenges. Understanding the effect of diet, host genetics, and early life interventions on the rumen microbiome is crucial for optimizing ruminant animal health, productivity, and efficiency of feed utilization while minimizing the environmental impact of ruminant production.