Evaluation of sulfur and thiamine metabolism, short chain fatty acid absorption, and mineral status in beef cattle fed high dietary sulfur

A small pen study, a metabolic trial and a field observation study were conducted to evaluate sulfur (S) and thiamine metabolism, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) absorption, and mineral status in beef cattle fed high dietary S. In the small pen study, the effect of feeding corn (CDDGS), wheat (WDDGS) or a 50:50 corn:wheat blend (BDDGS) dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on serum sulfate level of feedlot steers was evaluated using 288 crossbred steers (273.9 ± 18.5kg) in a completely randomized design. The steers were backgrounded and finished. The control backgrounding diet consisted of 34.3% barley grain, 26.0% brome grass hay, 10.3% barley straw, 22.8% barley silage, and 6.7% supplement (DM). For the three treatment diets, 17% of the barley grain was replaced with DDGS. Sulfur concentrations of control, BDDGS, CDDGS and WDDGS diets in the backgrounding phase were 0.2, 0.23, 0.31 and 0.33% (DM), respectively. The control finishing diet was 86.8% barley grain, 5.8% supplement and 7.4% barley silage (DM), and the three DDGS treatments included replacement of 40% of barley grain with an equal amount of DDGS. The corresponding sulfur concentrations for control, BDDGS, CDDGS and WDDGS diets in were 0.2, 0.33, 0.51 and 0.65% (DM), respectively. Corn DDGS or WDDGS cattle exhibited higher (P < 0.01) serum sulfate levels than BDDGS or control cattle in both backgrounding and finishing phases. Mean serum sulfate concentrations in cattle fed WDDGS and CDDGS were lower (P < 0.01) in finishing phase relative to backgrounding phase despite the higher S intake (P < 0.01). In the metabolic study, effects of dietary S concentration and forage-to-concentrate ratio (F:C) on S and thiamine metabolism, SCFA absorption, and mineral status were evaluated using 16 ruminally cannulated heifers (initial BW 628 ± 48 kg) in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement with main effects of dietary S (LS = 0.3% vs. HS = 0.67%, DM) and F:C (Low F:C = 4% vs. High F:C = 51% barley silage, DM). There was no interaction between S concentration and the F:C. The HS cattle had reduced DMI (P 0.05) among HS and LS cattle. Concentration of TPP was increased by 9.2% (P = 0.10) but with a concomitant numerical decrease in free thiamine in HS brains than LS brains. The HS brains had greater TMP (P = 0.01) and total thiamine (free thiamine + TMP + TPP) (P 0.05) copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) relative to LS cattle. There were reduced serum Mg (P = 0.003), Fe (P = 0.036) and Mn (P = 0.100) concentrations in HS cattle than LS cattle. Brain minerals except for Se did not differ (P > 0.05) among HS and LS brains. The F:C did not affect (P > 0.05) DMI, S metabolism, blood and brain thiamine and its phosphate esters, and brain mineral status. Ruminal pH, and serum Cu and Se were reduced (P 0.05) for low F:C diet. No gross or microscopic changes indicative of PEM were detected in the brains of any experimental heifers. In field observation, brain thiamine and its phosphate esters, and mineral status were evaluated from 4 naturally occurring S-induced polioencephalomalacia (PEM) affected feedlot steers. Data from PEM brains were compared with the brains of experimental heifers fed HS diet that were considered normal brains as they had no gross or microscopic changes indicative of PEM. The PEM brains had 36.5% lower TPP (P < 0.05) despite the 4.9 fold higher free thiamine (P < 0.01), and had reduced Cu (P = 0.058), Fe (P = 0.003) and Mo (P < 0.001) concentrations in comparison with normal brains. The results indicate that serum sulfate levels in cattle fed DDGS supplemented diets reflect dietary S intake. Sulfur metabolism in beef heifers was not influenced by F:C but high dietary S inhibits SCFA absorption. Moreover, dietary S may increase metabolic demand for TPP. Failing to supply enough TPP may lead to the development of malacic lesions in animals affected by S-induced PEM. Reduced nutritional status of minerals such as Cu, Mo, and Zn associated with excessive S intake were not observed. Sulfur-induced PEM affected cattle exhibited reduced brain Cu, Mo and Fe

Asking Skill\u27s Biology Teacher of Muhammadiyah Senior High School Based on 2013 Curriculum in Klaten Year 2014/2015

Asking skill is a verbal greeting to stimulate students and increase thinking ability. The purpose of the research was to find out the skills of biology teachers of Muhammadiyah Senior High School based on 2013 curriculum in Klaten Regency academic year 2014/2015. This research was a descriptive qualitative research. Data analyzed by descriptive statistics. Observation and interview in 4 Senior High School Muhammadiyah were used to collect the data. The results showed the ability of asking skill in two categories. The average result of observation of overall category is 50.86%. The results of A teacher (47.97%), B teacher 54,91(%), C teacher (52.38%), and D teacher (57,07%). The result from interview are 58,33% teachers very well ask skills and 16.67% quite well

Whole-body microbiota of newborn calves and their response to prenatal vitamin and mineral supplementation

Early life microbial colonization and factors affecting colonization patterns are gaining interest due to recent developments suggesting that early life microbiome may play a role in Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. In cattle, limited information exists on the early microbial colonization of anatomical sites involved in bovine health beyond the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we investigated 1) the initial microbial colonization of seven different anatomical locations in newborn calves and 2) whether these early life microbial communities and 3) serum cytokine profiles are influenced by prenatal vitamin and mineral (VTM) supplementation. Samples were collected from the hoof, liver, lung, nasal cavity, eye, rumen (tissue and fluid), and vagina of beef calves that were born from dams that either received or did not receive VTM supplementation throughout gestation (n = 7/group). Calves were separated from dams immediately after birth and fed commercial colostrum and milk replacer until euthanasia at 30 h post-initial colostrum feeding. The microbiota of all samples was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and qPCR. Calf serum was subjected to multiplex quantification of 15 bovine cytokines and chemokines. Our results indicated that the hoof, eye, liver, lung, nasal cavity, and vagina of newborn calves were colonized by site-specific microbiota, whose community structure differed from the ruminal-associated communities (0.64 ≥ R2 ≥ 0.12, p ≤ 0.003). The ruminal fluid microbial community was the only one that differed by treatment (p &lt; 0.01). However, differences (p &lt; 0.05) by treatment were detected in microbial richness (vagina); diversity (ruminal tissue, fluid, and eye); composition at the phylum and genus level (ruminal tissue, fluid, and vagina); and in total bacterial abundance (eye and vagina). From serum cytokines evaluated, concentration of chemokine IP-10 was greater (p = 0.02) in VTM calves compared to control calves. Overall, our results suggest that upon birth, the whole-body of newborn calves are colonized by relatively rich, diverse, and site-specific bacterial communities. Noticeable differences were observed in ruminal, vaginal, and ocular microbiota of newborn calves in response to prenatal VTM supplementation. These findings can derive future hypotheses regarding the initial microbial colonization of different body sites, and on maternal micronutrient consumption as a factor that may influence early life microbial colonization

Development of Intranasal Bacterial Therapeutics to Mitigate the Bovine Respiratory Pathogen Mannheimia haemolytica

The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) presents a significant challenge to the beef industry, as antibiotic administration is commonly used to prevent and control BRD in commercial feedlot cattle in North America. Thus, developing antibiotic alternatives such as bacterial therapeutics (BTs) to mitigate BRD is needed. Recent studies suggest that the nasopharyngeal (NP) microbiota, particularly lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB), are important to bovine respiratory health and may be a source of BTs for the inhibition of BRD pathogens. The research presented in this thesis aimed to develop intranasal BTs to mitigate the BRD pathogen Mannheimia haemolytica and promote NP microbiota stability in feedlot cattle. Results from Study 1 showed that commercial probiotic bacteria were able to inhibit M. haemolytica growth and its adherence to epithelial cells. Study 2 revealed that the NP microbial community structure and relative abundance of LAB families underwent significant changes when cattle transported from the farm to an auction market, then to feedlot. Many of the LAB families were inversely correlated with the BRD-associated Pasteurellaceae family, and isolates from Lactobacillaceae, Streptococcaceae and Enterococcaceae families inhibited growth of M. haemolytica in vitro. This study provided evidence of potential antagonistic competition taking place between LAB and BRD-associated pathogens within the respiratory tract. Following these studies, using a targeted approach based on criteria evaluating M. haemolytica inhibition, adherence to turbinate cells, and immunomodulation, 6 Lactobacillus strains from an initial group of 178 bacterial isolates originating from nasopharynx of cattle were identified as the best BT candidates (Study 3). Intranasal inoculation of these BTs reduced colonization by M. haemolytica and induced modulation of respiratory microbiota in dairy calves experimentally challenged with M. haemolytica (Study 4). Finally, the longitudinal effects of intranasally administered BTs on the NP microbiota and the prevalence of BRD pathogens including Mannheimia were evaluated in post-weaned beef calves (Study 5). A single dose of intranasal BTs induced longitudinal modulation of the NP microbiota while showing no adverse effects on animal health and growth performance. With further characterization of inoculant dose and time of inoculation, the BTs may have potential for application as an antimicrobial alternative for mitigation of M. haemolytica in beef cattle

Holistic View and Novel Perspective on Ruminal and Extra-Gastrointestinal Methanogens in Cattle

Despite the extensive research conducted on ruminal methanogens and anti-methanogenic intervention strategies over the last 50 years, most of the currently researched enteric methane (CH4) abatement approaches have shown limited efficacy. This is largely because of the complex nature of animal production and the ruminal environment, host genetic variability of CH4 production, and an incomplete understanding of the role of the ruminal microbiome in enteric CH4 emissions. Recent sequencing-based studies suggest the presence of methanogenic archaea in extra-gastrointestinal tract tissues, including respiratory and reproductive tracts of cattle. While these sequencing data require further verification via culture-dependent methods, the consistent identification of methanogens with relatively greater frequency in the airway and urogenital tract of cattle, as well as increasing appreciation of the microbiome–gut–organ axis together highlight the potential interactions between ruminal and extra-gastrointestinal methanogenic communities. Thus, a traditional singular focus on ruminal methanogens may not be sufficient, and a holistic approach which takes into consideration of the transfer of methanogens between ruminal, extra-gastrointestinal, and environmental microbial communities is of necessity to develop more efficient and long-term ruminal CH4 mitigation strategies. In the present review, we provide a holistic survey of the methanogenic archaea present in different anatomical sites of cattle and discuss potential seeding sources of the ruminal methanogens

Erratum to: The nasopharyngeal microbiota of beef cattle before and after transport to a feedlot

BACKGROUND: The nasopharyngeal (NP) microbiota plays an important role in bovine health, comprising a rich and diverse microbial community. The nasopharynx is also the niche for potentially pathogenic agents which are associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD), a serious and costly illness in feedlot cattle. We used 14 beef heifers from a closed and disease-free herd to assess the dynamics of the NP microbiota of cattle that are transported to a feedlot. Cattle were sampled prior to transport to the feedlot (day 0) and at days 2, 7, and 14. RESULTS: The structure of the NP microbiota changed significantly over the course of the study, with the largest shift occurring between day 0 (prior to transport) and day 2 (P < 0.001). Phylogenetic diversity and richness increased following feedlot placement (day 2; P < 0.05). The genera Pasteurella, Bacillus, and Proteus were enriched at day 0, Streptococcus and Acinetobacter at day 2, Bifidobacterium at day 7, and Mycoplasma at day 14. The functional potential of the NP microbiota was assessed using PICRUSt, revealing that replication and repair, as well as translation pathways, were more relatively abundant in day 14 samples. These differences were driven mostly by Mycoplasma. Although eight cattle were culture-positive for the BRD-associated bacterium Pasteurella multocida at one or more sampling times, none were culture-positive for Mannheimia haemolytica or Histophilus somni. CONCLUSIONS: This study investigated the effect that feedlot placement has on the NP microbiota of beef cattle over a 14-d period. Within two days of transport to the feedlot, the NP microbiota changed significantly, increasing in both phylogenetic diversity and richness. These results demonstrate that there is an abrupt shift in the NP microbiota of cattle after transportation to a feedlot. This may have importance for understanding why cattle are most susceptible to BRD after feedlot placement. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12866-017-0978-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

The nasopharyngeal microbiota of beef cattle before and after transport to a feedlot

Abstract Background The nasopharyngeal (NP) microbiota plays an important role in bovine health, comprising a rich and diverse microbial community. The nasopharynx is also the niche for potentially pathogenic agents which are associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD), a serious and costly illness in feedlot cattle. We used 14 beef heifers from a closed and disease-free herd to assess the dynamics of the NP microbiota of cattle that are transported to a feedlot. Cattle were sampled prior to transport to the feedlot (day 0) and at days 2, 7, and 14. Results The structure of the NP microbiota changed significantly over the course of the study, with the largest shift occurring between day 0 (prior to transport) and day 2 (P < 0.001). Phylogenetic diversity and richness increased following feedlot placement (day 2; P < 0.05). The genera Pasteurella, Bacillus, and Proteus were enriched at day 0, Streptococcus and Acinetobacter at day 2, Bifidobacterium at day 7, and Mycoplasma at day 14. The functional potential of the NP microbiota was assessed using PICRUSt, revealing that replication and repair, as well as translation pathways, were more relatively abundant in day 14 samples. These differences were driven mostly by Mycoplasma. Although eight cattle were culture-positive for the BRD-associated bacterium Pasteurella multocida at one or more sampling times, none were culture-positive for Mannheimia haemolytica or Histophilus somni. Conclusions This study investigated the effect that feedlot placement has on the NP microbiota of beef cattle over a 14-d period. Within two days of transport to the feedlot, the NP microbiota changed significantly, increasing in both phylogenetic diversity and richness. These results demonstrate that there is an abrupt shift in the NP microbiota of cattle after transportation to a feedlot. This may have importance for understanding why cattle are most susceptible to BRD after feedlot placement

Additional file 4: Table S3. of The nasopharyngeal microbiota of beef cattle before and after transport to a feedlot

BLASTn results for OTUs classified by the UCLUST consensus taxonomy assigner as Pasteurella, Mannheimia, or Mycoplasma. (DOCX 17 kb

Additional file 1: Figure S1. of The nasopharyngeal microbiota of beef cattle before and after transport to a feedlot

A sagittal midline view of a bovine head (adult animal ≥ 36 months old). The image indicates that swabs used in the current study (27 cm length) were able to reach the nasopharynx of 8-month old calves during sampling. (TIF 8079 kb

Additional file 6: Table S4. of The nasopharyngeal microbiota of beef cattle before and after transport to a feedlot

OTUs found in all nasopharyngeal samples at all sampling times. (XLSX 15 kb