Postnatal changes in the relative abundance of intestinal Lactobacillus spp. in newborn calves

J Vet Med Sci. 2017 Mar 18;79(3):452-455. doi: 10.1292/jvms.16-0406. Epub 2017 Jan 8.

Abstract

The intestinal microbiota of newborn calves changes during the early postnatal period and influences their health and immune function. We studied the compositional changes in the intestinal microbiome of newborn calves during the first week after birth by metagenomic analysis. In feces from newborn calves, we identified 4 bacterial phyla, namely, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. The relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae significantly increased from day 1 to day 7. We evaluated Lactobacillus spp. colony numbers using selective agar plates and confirmed that the abundance of Lactobacillus spp. significantly increased during the first 7 days after birth. In conclusion, Lactobacillus spp. colonized the intestinal tract of calves during the first 7 days after birth.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Cattle / microbiology*
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Intestines / microbiology
  • Lactobacillus / growth & development*
  • Lactobacillus / isolation & purification
  • Molecular Typing