Project description:In this study, we studied the fibrolytic potential of the rumen microbiota in the rumen of 6 lambs separated from their dams from 12h of age and artificially fed with milk replacer (MR) and starter feed from d8, in absence (3 lambs) or presence (3 lambs) of a combination of the live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 and selected yeast metabolites. The fibrolytic potential of the rumen microbiota of the lambs at 56 days of age was analyzed with a DNA microarray (FibroChip) targeting genes coding for 8 glycoside hydrolase (GH) families.
Project description:Cistus ladanifer L. is a common shrub endemic to the Mediterranean that is highly concentrated in condensed tannins (CT). CT form complexes with dietary protein that resist microbial degradation in the rumen, which enhances dietary protein utilization in ruminant diets. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utilization of CT in the diet of lambs on the proteomes of muscle, hepatic and adipose tissues. Twenty-four white merino ram lambs were divided in three groups (n=8) fed on different diets: control (16% crude protein - CP), reduced protein (12% CP) and reduced protein treated with CT extract. At the end of the trial, lambs were slaughtered and the longissimus lumborum muscle, hepatic and peri-renal adipose tissues sampled. A two-way approach was used for shotgun proteomic analysis: 2D-DIGE (gel-based) and nanoLC-MS (gel-free). In the muscle, control lambs had lower abundance proteins that partake in the glycolysis pathway. With dietary 12 % CP, lambs had higher abundance of Fe-carrying proteins in the hepatic tissue. Lambs with dietary CT had higher abundance of hepatic flavin reductase. In the adipose tissue, control lambs had lower abundance of fatty-acid synthase. In conclusion, CT inclusion influences specific pathways in lamb tissues.
Project description:We perform transcriptomic sequencing of rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum epithelial tissues from developing lambs. We then performed gene expression profiling analysis using data obtained from RNA-seq of 4 different cells at two time points (day5 and day10).
Project description:The common practise of artificially rearing some lambs from prolific meat breeds of sheep constitutes a welfare issue due to increased mortality rates and negative health issues. In this multidisciplinary study, we investigated the possible short and mid-term advantages of artificially feeding fresh ewe’s milk instead of commercial milk replacer on lambs’ growth, health and welfare. Romane lambs were either separated from their mothers on D3 and fed with Lacaune ewes’ milk (LAC, n=13) or milk replacer (REP, N=15), or they were reared by their mothers (MOT, n=15). On D45, they were weaned, gathered in single sex groups until the end of the study on D150. Lamb performance and biomarkers of overall health were assessed by measuring: growth, dirtiness of the perianal area, enteric pathogens in the faeces, total antioxidant status and redox status assessed by plasma reduced (GSH)/oxidized (GSSG) glutathione ratio, and immune response after vaccination against chlamydiosis. As an exploratory approach, blood cell transcriptomic profiles were also investigated. Last, Qualitative Behaviour Assessment was performed as an integrated welfare criteria. LAC and REP never differed in their average daily gain but grew less than MOT lambs in the early suckling period and just after weaning. No effect was detected afterwards. On D30, LAC and REP lambs had lower total antioxidant and higher redox status than MOT lambs but did not differ among themselves. LAC and MOT had a cleaner perianal area than REP lambs on D21, while faecal pathogen infection did not vary between the treatment groups. After vaccination, LAC also had a stronger immune response on D90 compared to REP lambs. Transcriptome analysis performed on D150 showed differential gene expression, mainly in relation to inflammatory, immune and cell cycle response, between male lambs of the LAC group and those of the MOT and REP groups. Based on Qualitative Behaviour Assessment, LAC lambs never differed from MOT lambs in their general activity and varied from REP only on D21; REP lambs were always more agitated than MOT lambs. In conclusion, artificial milk feeding impaired early growth rate, health, and emotional state mainly during the milk feeding period and at weaning. Feeding artificially reared lambs with fresh ewe's milk partly mitigated some of the negative effects induced by milk replacer but without achieving the full benefit of being reared by the mother.
Project description:A total of 14 samples were used, 12 paired rumen and colon samples, and two rumen only samples. DNA was extracted from each sample, and PCR amplified using universal bacterial primers 27F and 1492R. Trends between anatomical location, age and sex were considered.