Integrating Metabolomics and Genomics to Uncover the Impact of Fermented Total Mixed Ration on Heifer Growth Performance Through Host-Dependent Metabolic Pathways
With the increasing demand for enhancing livestock production performance and optimizing feed efficiency, this study aimed to investigate the effects of fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) containing different proportions of rice straw and sheath and leaves of <i>Zizania latifolia</i> on...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Zhenzhen Hu Minyu Zuo Shixuan Ding Yifan Zhong Mingyuan Xue Huichao Zheng |
| author_facet | Zhenzhen Hu Minyu Zuo Shixuan Ding Yifan Zhong Mingyuan Xue Huichao Zheng |
| author_sort | Zhenzhen Hu |
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| description | With the increasing demand for enhancing livestock production performance and optimizing feed efficiency, this study aimed to investigate the effects of fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) containing different proportions of rice straw and sheath and leaves of <i>Zizania latifolia</i> on systemic nutrient metabolism and oxidative metabolism under host genetic regulation and on growth performance of heifers. A total of 157 heifers aged 7–8 months were selected, and their hair was collected for whole-genome sequencing. They were randomly assigned into four groups of 18 to 21 cattle each and fed FTMR containing varying levels of rice straw (21% in LSF, 28% in MSF, 35% in HSF) or 31% sheath and leaves of <i>Zizania latifolia</i> (ZF) for a two-month period. At the end of trial, blood and urine samples were collected to measure biochemical indexes and metabolomics. The results showed that high rice straw content and ZF diets could increase blood glucose and non-protein nitrogen in heifers, that is, blood glucose and urea nitrogen levels in HSF and ZF groups were higher than those in LSF and MSF groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Meanwhile, the two diets could improve the antioxidant level of heifers. Urine metabolomics analysis between the groups identified three differential metabolic pathways, including 11 metabolites. Among them, l-homoserine and o-acetylserine had significant SNPs associated with them, which promoted glutathione metabolism. Although there was no significant effect of diet on heifers’ average daily gain (ADG) in body weight (<i>p</i> > 0.05), there was substantial inter-individual variation in metabolites among all animals, as further correlation analyses illustrated. Twenty-eight metabolites were significantly associated with ADG (R > 0.3, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Four of them were identified as biomarkers, primarily regulating energy metabolism and oxidative balance. In conclusion, feeding HSF and ZF FTMR enhances glutathione metabolism and antioxidant capacity in heifers, positioning key metabolites as candidates for ADG markers. This integrative omics approach underscores the potential for enhancing livestock productivity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a17c8ca2806b495fa715af9604e1c61b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-a17c8ca2806b495fa715af9604e1c61b2025-01-24T13:17:54ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-01-0115217310.3390/ani15020173Integrating Metabolomics and Genomics to Uncover the Impact of Fermented Total Mixed Ration on Heifer Growth Performance Through Host-Dependent Metabolic PathwaysZhenzhen Hu0Minyu Zuo1Shixuan Ding2Yifan Zhong3Mingyuan Xue4Huichao Zheng5Xianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou 311231, ChinaXianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou 311231, ChinaXianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou 311231, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Agricultural and Forestry University, Hangzhou 311300, ChinaXianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou 311231, ChinaInstitute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, ChinaWith the increasing demand for enhancing livestock production performance and optimizing feed efficiency, this study aimed to investigate the effects of fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) containing different proportions of rice straw and sheath and leaves of <i>Zizania latifolia</i> on systemic nutrient metabolism and oxidative metabolism under host genetic regulation and on growth performance of heifers. A total of 157 heifers aged 7–8 months were selected, and their hair was collected for whole-genome sequencing. They were randomly assigned into four groups of 18 to 21 cattle each and fed FTMR containing varying levels of rice straw (21% in LSF, 28% in MSF, 35% in HSF) or 31% sheath and leaves of <i>Zizania latifolia</i> (ZF) for a two-month period. At the end of trial, blood and urine samples were collected to measure biochemical indexes and metabolomics. The results showed that high rice straw content and ZF diets could increase blood glucose and non-protein nitrogen in heifers, that is, blood glucose and urea nitrogen levels in HSF and ZF groups were higher than those in LSF and MSF groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Meanwhile, the two diets could improve the antioxidant level of heifers. Urine metabolomics analysis between the groups identified three differential metabolic pathways, including 11 metabolites. Among them, l-homoserine and o-acetylserine had significant SNPs associated with them, which promoted glutathione metabolism. Although there was no significant effect of diet on heifers’ average daily gain (ADG) in body weight (<i>p</i> > 0.05), there was substantial inter-individual variation in metabolites among all animals, as further correlation analyses illustrated. Twenty-eight metabolites were significantly associated with ADG (R > 0.3, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Four of them were identified as biomarkers, primarily regulating energy metabolism and oxidative balance. In conclusion, feeding HSF and ZF FTMR enhances glutathione metabolism and antioxidant capacity in heifers, positioning key metabolites as candidates for ADG markers. This integrative omics approach underscores the potential for enhancing livestock productivity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/173heifer-growth performancefermented total mixed rationgenomic analysismetabolomicsmetabolic biomarkers |
| spellingShingle | Zhenzhen Hu Minyu Zuo Shixuan Ding Yifan Zhong Mingyuan Xue Huichao Zheng Integrating Metabolomics and Genomics to Uncover the Impact of Fermented Total Mixed Ration on Heifer Growth Performance Through Host-Dependent Metabolic Pathways Animals heifer-growth performance fermented total mixed ration genomic analysis metabolomics metabolic biomarkers |
| title | Integrating Metabolomics and Genomics to Uncover the Impact of Fermented Total Mixed Ration on Heifer Growth Performance Through Host-Dependent Metabolic Pathways |
| title_full | Integrating Metabolomics and Genomics to Uncover the Impact of Fermented Total Mixed Ration on Heifer Growth Performance Through Host-Dependent Metabolic Pathways |
| title_fullStr | Integrating Metabolomics and Genomics to Uncover the Impact of Fermented Total Mixed Ration on Heifer Growth Performance Through Host-Dependent Metabolic Pathways |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrating Metabolomics and Genomics to Uncover the Impact of Fermented Total Mixed Ration on Heifer Growth Performance Through Host-Dependent Metabolic Pathways |
| title_short | Integrating Metabolomics and Genomics to Uncover the Impact of Fermented Total Mixed Ration on Heifer Growth Performance Through Host-Dependent Metabolic Pathways |
| title_sort | integrating metabolomics and genomics to uncover the impact of fermented total mixed ration on heifer growth performance through host dependent metabolic pathways |
| topic | heifer-growth performance fermented total mixed ration genomic analysis metabolomics metabolic biomarkers |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/173 |
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