Gut Microbiome Dynamics: Implications for Methane Emissions and Animal Productivity
A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Microbiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 1064
Special Issue Editors
Interests: methane measurement; plant secondary metabolites; microbial diversity, functional genomics, methane mitigation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The rumen microbiome refers to the diverse community of microorganisms residing in the rumen and plays a fundamental role in digestion, nutrient metabolism, and the removal of fatal products such as hydrogen and methane. The syntrophic relationship between the host animal and microbes allows the host to efficiently extract energy in the form of volatile fatty acids and synthesise microbial protein from an herbivorous diet. The rumen microbiota is composed of bacteria, archaea, protozoa, fungi, and phages. The rumen microbiome is highly dynamic and can quickly adjust its composition and metabolic activity in response to various stimuli. This plasticity is essential for ruminant animals to efficiently digest different types of diets, especially as their forage sources change with seasons or management practises. The composition of the rumen microbiome depends on several factors, including diet, age, health status, and geographical location. A significant driving factor is changes in the diet, which lead to rapid shifts in the diversity and dynamics of rumen microorganisms.
Understanding rumen microbiome dynamics is essential for improving livestock productivity, reducing methane emissions, and optimising nourishment. Rumen microbiota plasticity is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it allows ruminant animals to adapt to varying diets and environmental conditions, enhancing their ability to survive and thrive in different settings. On the other hand, this dynamic nature can also lead to instability, which may cause temporary digestive disturbances when animals experience abrupt dietary changes.
Research on rumen microbiota plasticity is crucial for developing effective strategies to optimise ruminant nutrition, promote animal health, and reduce the environmental impact of livestock production. By understanding how the rumen microbiome responds to various factors, scientists can design targeted interventions to enhance feed efficiency, reduce methane emissions, and improve overall animal productivity. Researchers are continually exploring strategies to modulate the rumen microbiome to enhance animal performance and promote sustainable livestock production practises. These may include dietary interventions, feed additives, probiotics, and selective breeding approaches aimed at shaping the microbial community for improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
Original research in the following areas is invited for publication in this Special Issue on Gut Microbiome Dynamics: Implications for Methane Emissions and Animal Productivity.
- Impact of diet on the rumen/gut microbial community composition;
- Harnessing the effect of diet on the functional capabilities of rumen/gut microbes;
- Strategies for modulating the rumen/gut microbiota for enhancing productivity and minimizing environmental impacts;
- Diet–microbiota interactions and their implications for metabolic diseases;
- Recent developments in the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) gene in animals and the environment.
In addition to the listed research areas, other relevant research articles, if they hold merit, will also be considered for publication.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Malik
Dr. César S. Pinares-Patiño
Guest Editors
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