ABSTRACT
A study to compare the rumen microbial community composition, functional potential of the microbiota, methane (CH4) yield, and rumen fermentation was conducted in adult male cattle and buffaloes fed on the same diet. A total of 41 phyla, 169 orders, 374 families, and 1,376 microbial genera were identified in the study. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the two most dominant bacterial phyla in both cattle and buffaloes. However, there was no difference in the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes in the rumen metagenome of cattle and buffaloes. Based on the abundance, the Proteobacteria was the 3rd largest phylum in the metagenome, constituting 18-20% in both host species. Euryarchaeota was the most abundant phylum of the methanogens, whereas Methanobacteriales and Methanobrevibacter were the most abundant orders and genera in both species. The methanogen abundances were not different between the two host species. Like the metagenome, the difference between the compositional and functional abundances (metagenome vs. metatranscriptome) of the Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes was not significant, whereas the proteobacteria were functionally less active than their metagenomic composition. Contrary to the metagenome, the Euryarchaeota was the 3rd most functional phylum in the rumen and constituted ~15% of the metatranscriptome. Methanobacteriales were the most functional methanogens, accounting for more than 2/3rd of the total archaeal functionality. These results indicated that the methanogens from Euryarchaeota were functionally more active as compared to their compositional abundance. The CH4 yield (g/kg DMI), CH4 emission (g/kg DDM), dry matter (DM) intake, and rumen fermentation did not vary between the two host species. Overall, the study established a substantial difference between the compositional abundances and metabolic functionality of the rumen microbiota; however, feeding cattle and buffaloes on the same diet resulted in similar microbiota composition, metabolic functionality, and CH4 yield. Further studies are warranted to investigate the effect of different diets and environments on the composition and metabolic functionality of the rumen microbiota.
ABSTRACT
A study was undertaken to compare the rumen microbial community composition, methane yield, rumen fermentation, and CAZyme profiles between cattle and buffaloes. The primary aim of this study was to ascertain the impact of the host species on the above when diet and environmental factors are fixed. A total of 43 phyla, 200 orders, 458 families, and 1722 microbial genera were identified in the study. Bacteroidetes was the most prominent bacterial phylum and constituted >1/3rd of the ruminal microbiota; however, their abundances were comparable between cattle and buffaloes. Firmicutes were the second most abundant bacteria, found to be negatively correlated with the Bacteroidetes. The abundances of Firmicutes as well as the F/B ratio were not different between the two host species. In this study, archaea affiliated with the nine phyla were identified, with Euryarchaeota being the most prominent. Like bacterial phyla, the abundances of Euryarchaeota methanogens were also similar between the cattle and buffaloes. At the order level, Methanobacteriales dominated the archaea. Methanogens from the Methanosarcinales, Methanococcales, Methanomicrobiales, and Methanomassiliicoccales groups were also identified, but at a lower frequency. Methanobrevibacter was the most prevalent genus of methanogens, accounting for approximately three percent of the rumen metagenome. However, their distribution was not different between the two host species. CAZymes affiliated with five classes, namely CBM, CE, GH, GT, and PL, were identified in the metagenome, where the GH class was the most abundant and constituted ~70% of the total CAZymes. The protozoal numbers, including Entodiniomorphs and Holotrichs, were also comparable between the cattle and buffaloes. Results from the study did not reveal any significant difference in feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fermentation between cattle and buffaloes fed on the same diet. As methane yield due to the similar diet composition, feed ingredients, rumen fermentation, and microbiota composition did not vary, these results indicate that the microbiota community structure and methane emissions are under the direct influence of the diet and environment, and the host species may play only a minor role until the productivity does not vary. More studies are warranted to investigate the effect of different diets and environments on microbiota composition and methane yield. Further, the impact of variable productivity on both the cattle and buffaloes when the diet and environmental factors are fixed needs to be ascertained.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The long-term success of ex-situ conservation programmes depends on species-appropriate husbandry and enrichment practices complemented by an accurate welfare assessment protocol. Zoos and conservation breeding programmes should employ a bottom-up approach to account for intraspecific variations in measures of animal welfare. We studied 35 (14:21) captive Asiatic lions in Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden, Junagadh, India to understand the implications of individual variations on welfare measures. We categorized the subjects based on personality traits (bold or shy), rearing history (wild-rescued or captive-raised), sex, and social-grouping. We explored the association of these categorical variables on welfare indices such as behavioural diversity, latency to approach novel objects, enclosure usage and aberrant repetitive behaviours. Further, we assessed the inter-relationships between different behavioural measures of welfare. RESULTS: Our results show that intraspecific variations based on rearing-history and personality traits are significantly associated with the welfare states of captive Asiatic lions. Asiatic lions with bold personality traits (M = 0.50, SD = 0.12, N = 21) and those raised in captivity (M = 0.47, SD = 0.12, N = 16) used enclosure space more homogenously compared to shy (M = 0.71, SD = 0.15, N = 14) and wild-rescued (M = 0.67, SD = 0.15, N = 19) animals. Behaviour diversity was significantly higher in captive-raised (M = 1.26, SD = 0.3, N = 16) and bold (M = 1.23, SD = 0.26, N = 21) subjects compared to wild-rescued (M = 0.83, SD = 0.35, N = 19) and shy (M = 0.73, SD = 0.34, N = 14) individuals. Aberrant repetitive behaviours (stereotypy) were significantly lower in bold (M = 7.01, SD = 4, N = 21) and captive-raised (M = 7.74, SD = 5.3) individuals compared to wild-rescued (M = 13.12, SD = 6.25, N = 19) and shy (M = 16.13, SD = 5.4, N = 16) lions. Sex and social-grouping of subjects did not show significant associations with behavioural welfare indices. Interestingly, behaviour diversity was reliably predicted by the enclosure usage patterns and aberrant repetitive behaviours displayed by subjects. DISCUSSION: Our findings underline the importance of individual-centric, behaviour-based, and multi-dimensional welfare assessment approaches in ex-situ conservation programmes. The results suggest that behavioural welfare indices complemented with individual variations can explain inter-individual differences in behavioural welfare measure outcomes of Asiatic lions. These findings also provide zoo managers with a non-invasive tool to reliably assess and improve husbandry practices for Asiatic lions. Understanding the unique welfare requirement of individuals in captivity will be crucial for the survival of the species.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Ensiling of tannin-rich fruit byproducts (FB) involves quantitative and qualitative changes in the tannins, which would consequently change the rumen fermentation characteristics. This study aimed to evaluate whether ensiled FBs are effective in mitigating methane emission from ruminants by conducting in vitro assessments. METHODS: Fruit byproducts (grape pomace, wild grape pomace, and persimmon skin) were collected and subjected to four-week ensiling by Lactobacillus buchneri inoculant. A defined feed component with or without FB samples (both fresh and ensiled material) were subjected to in vitro anaerobic culturing using rumen fluid sampled from beef cattle, and the fermentation parameters and microbial populations were monitored. RESULTS: Reduced methane production and a proportional change in total volatile fatty acids (especially enhanced propionate proportion) was noted in bottles containing the FBs compared with that in the control (without FB). In addition, we found lower gene copy number of archaeal 16S rRNA and considerably higher levels of one of the major fibrolytic bacteria (Fibrobacter succinogenes) in the bottles containing FBs than in the control, particularly, when it was included in a forage-based feed. However, in the following cultivation experiment, we observed that FBs failed to exhibit a significant difference in methane production with or without polyethylene glycol, implying that tannins in the FBs may not be responsible for the mitigation of methane generation. CONCLUSION: The results of the in vitro cultivation experiments indicated that not only the composition but also ensiling of FBs affected rumen fermentation patterns and the degree of methane generation. This is primarily because of the compositional changes in the fibrous fraction during ensiling as well as the presence of readily fermented substrates, whereas tannins in these FBs seemed to have little effect on the ruminal fermentation kinetics.
ABSTRACT
Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is labelled when typical glaucomatous disc changes, visual field defects and open anterior chamber angles are associated with intraocular pressure (IOP) constantly below 21 mmHg. Chronic low vascular perfusion, Raynaud's phenomenon, migraine, nocturnal systemic hypotension and over-treated systemic hypertension are the main causes of normal tension glaucoma. Goldmann applanation tonometry, gonioscopy, slit lamp biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography and visual field analysis are the main tools of investigation for the diagnosis of NTG. Management follows the same principles of treatment for other chronic glaucomas: To reduce IOP by a substantial amount, sufficient to prevent disabling visual loss. Treatment is generally aimed to lower IOP by 30% from pre-existing levels to 12-14 mmHg. Betaxolol, brimonidine, prostaglandin analogues, trabeculectomy (in refractory cases), systemic calcium channel blockers (such as nifedipine) and 24-hour monitoring of blood pressure are considered in the management of NTG. The present review summarises risk factors, causes, pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of NTG.
ABSTRACT
Infectious diseases have been responsible for large-scale declines in many endangered animals. Disease outbreaks in small populations have probably led to the eventual extinction of such endangered animals in the wild. The endangered Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) population may also face such threats. This was evident from this study on captive Asiatic lions from western India, which were sampled from December 1998 to March 1999. Fifty-six Asiatic lions, including 17 hybrid lions (Afro-Asian crosses) from six captive centers in western India, were tested for antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV), feline parvovirus (FPV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and feline leukemia viral (FeLV) antigen. Agar gel immunodiffusion test and dot immunobinding assay were employed for CDV and FPV antibody detection. Commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used for FIV antibody and FeLV antigen detection. Forty-nine of 56 lions (87.5%) were positive for CDV. All 56 (100%) lions were positive for FPV antibodies. There were no detectable levels of FIV antibodies and FeLV antigens. It was observed that CDV and FPV, two viruses known to cause high mortality in captive carnivores, were widely prevalent in these captive Asiatic lions. It is suggested that these seropositive animals will have the potential to pose a risk of infection to other seronegative animals. Hence, it is imperative to carefully consider any movement, translocation, or reintroduction of these animals to new regions. It is also recommended that these animals be required to undergo standard quarantine and disease screening protocols. The lack of exposure to pathogens, such as FIV and FeLV, would also be a risk, and, hence, identification of reservoirs and screening of in-contact animals is highly recommended. Vaccinations must be considered, using killed or other suitable viral vaccines, which have been proved to be safe, effective, and efficacious in endangered felids.
