Characteristics of the intestinal microbiome in calves with diarrhea

Abstract

The aim of the research was to evaluate the microbiocenosis of the intestines of calves with digestive disorders. For experimental work, 2 groups of young Ayrshire cattle aged from 5 to 10 days were formed. The first group included 6 healthy calves, and the second group included 6 patients with diarrhea. Faeces were obtained from animals from the rectum and examined using the molecular genetic method. Changes in the microbiome during diarrhea were accompanied by an increase in the total microbial mass in the intestinal contents (by 1× 108.2), which indicated the activation of bacterial reproduction and the inability of the body to suppress their growth. In the structure of the fecal microbiota of healthy calves, 78.3% of the total amount of microbial DNA was accounted for by the normoflora, and in patients this indicator was 49.1%. In the microbiota of calves with diarrhea, an increase in opportunistic and pathogenic species was observed to 50.9 abs.%. Of the undesirable microorganisms, the concentration of Enterobacteriaceae bacteria increased by 7.36 abs.%, Sneathia spp., Leptotrichia spp., Fusobacterium spp. by 21.47 abs.%, Staphylococcus spp. by 0.01 abs.%. There was also an increase in representatives of the normoflora: Lachnobacterium spp., Clostridium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. An increase in the concentration of lactic acid microorganisms in the fecal microbiota of sick calves is probably associated with impaired lactose absorption. A possible trigger of the disease in the calves under study is the dysfunction of the digestive system, and changes in the microbiota occur against the background of the formation of a favorable environment for certain groups of microorganisms. The data obtained will make it possible to develop effective methods for correcting the microbiome and reduce the risk of gastrointestinal pathologies in cattle.