| Summary: | This study investigated how Clostridium butyricum affected rumen fermentation and
the microbial communities of rumen and feces in beef cattle. Twenty beef cattle were
divided into two groups: the control group (CK) and the C. butyricum group (CB, fed
2.5 x 108 CFU/kg of dry matter intake per day). The results showed that C. butyricum
increased rumen pH, ammonia-N concentration, and microbial crude protein (MCP)
concentration (P<0.05). Ruminal propionate and butyrate concentration increased,
while the ruminal acetate to propionate ratio decreased (P <0.05). For rumen microbiota,
observed species, Chao 1, and ACE indices were higher (P<0.05) with supplemented C.
butyricum. At the phyla level, the C. butyricum enhanced the proportion of Firmicutes
and decreased Bacteroidota (P<0.01). Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Methanobrevibacter,
Oscillospiraceae NK4A214 group, Desulfovibrio, Streptococcus, and C. butyricum were
increased (P<0.05) at the genus and species levels in the CB group. The proportion of
Prevotella, Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Blautia, and Megasphaera elsdenii increased,
while Escherichia coli decreased (P<0.05) in feces. E. coli and Salmonella populations were
significantly reduced (P<0.01). These results indicated that diets supplemented with C.
butyricum could improve rumen fermentation by increasing the diversity and altering
the microbial community structure of the rumen. Additionally, the supplemented C.
butyricum changed the fecal microbiota and decreased the harmful bacteria population
in beef cattle.
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