Ruminal bacterial community changes during adaptation of goats to fresh alfalfa forage.

GRILLI, D.; KOPECNÝ, J.; MRÁZEK, J.; FLIEGEROVÁ, K.; PAEZ LAMA, S.; CERON CUCCHI, M; SOSA ESCUDERO, M.; ARENAS, N.

LIVESTOCK SCIENCE

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2015

1871-1413

Using culture-independent molecular approaches, we study the bacterial population changes in the rumen of goats abruptly converted from alfalfa hay to fresh alfalfa diet, which resulted in frothy bloat. Changes of the bacterial composition of rumen were monitored using DGGE analysis of 16S rDNA gene amplicons and quantitative PCR method. As the diet shift response, the bacterial population of Bacteroidetes and γ-Proteobacteria decreased, even if animals have not shown signs of frothy bloat. The most severely bloated animals showed an increase of Bacteroidetes phylum. Lactobacillus/Streptococcus group belonging to Firmicutes phylum decreased as response to transfer form hay to fresh forage and did not achieve the values observed at the beginning of the experiment. The frothy bloat in goats produces long-lasting changes in the structure of the microbial community and may be associated with a specific bacterial population belonging to the Bacteroidetes phylum.