Ruminal and feces metabolites associated with feed efficiency, water intake and methane emission in Nelore bulls.

MALHEIROS, J. M.; CORREIA, B. S. B.; CERIBELI, C.; BRUSCADIN, J. J.; DINIZ, W. J. S.; BANERJEE, P.; VIEIRA, D. S.; CARDOSO, T. F.; ANDRADE, B. G. N.; PETRINI, J.; CARDOSO, D. R.; COLNAGO, L. A.; BOGUSZ JUNIOR, S.; MOURÃO, G. B.; COUTINHO, L. L.; PALHARES, J. C. P.; MEDEIROS, S. R. de; BERNDT, A.; REGITANO, L. C. de A.

Ruminal and feces metabolites associated with feed efficiency, water intake and methane emission in Nelore bulls.

Autores

Descripción

The objectives of this study were twofold: (1) to identify potential diferences in the ruminal and fecal metabolite profles of Nelore bulls under diferent nutritional interventions; and (2) to identify metabolites associated with cattle sustainability related-traits. We used diferent nutritional interventions in the feedlot: conventional (Conv; n= 26), and by-product (ByPr, n= 26). Thirty-eight ruminal fuid and 27 fecal metabolites were signifcantly diferent (P< 0.05) between the ByPr and Conv groups. Individual dry matter intake (DMI), residual feed intake (RFI), observed water intake (OWI), predicted water intake (WI), and residual water intake (RWI) phenotypes were lower (P< 0.05) in the Conv group, while the ByPr group exhibited lower methane emission (ME) (P< 0.05). Ruminal fuid dimethylamine was signifcantly associated (P< 0.05) with DMI, RFI, FE (feed efciency), OWI and WI. Aspartate was associated (P< 0.05) with DMI, RFI, FE and WI. Fecal C22:1n9 was signifcantly associated with OWI and RWI (P< 0.05). Fatty acid C14:0 and hypoxanthine were signifcantly associated with DMI and RFI (P< 0.05). The results demonstrated that diferent nutritional interventions alter ruminal and fecal metabolites and provided new insights into the relationship of these metabolites with feed efciency and water intake traits in Nelore bulls