Integrated analysis of transcriptome and milk metagenome in subclinical mastitic and healthy cows

Zhang, Jinning; Liu, Xueqin; Usman, Tahir; Tang, Yongjie; Mi, Siyuan; Li, Wenlong; Yang, Mengyou; Yu, Ying

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Anim Biosci > Accepted Articles

Article

https://doi.org/10.5713/ab.21.0495 [Accepted] Published online January 21, 2022.

Integrated analysis of transcriptome and milk metagenome in subclinical mastitic and healthy cows

Jinning Zhang¹

, Mengyou Yang¹, Ying Yu^1,*

¹Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture & National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
²College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan

Correspondence: Ying Yu, Tel: +86-10-62734611, Fax: +86-10-62732439, Email: yuying@cau.edu.cn

Received: 1 November 2021 • Revised: 14 December 2021 • Accepted: 18 January 2022

Abstract

Objective
Abnormally increased somatic cell counts in milk is usually a sign of bovine subclinical mastitis. Mutual interaction between the host and its associated microbiota plays an important role in developing such diseases. The main objective of this study was to explore the difference between cows with elevated somatic cell counts and healthy cattle from the perspective of host-microbe interplay.
Methods
A total of 31 milk samples and 23 bovine peripheral blood samples were collected from Holstein dairy cattle to conduct an integrated analysis of transcriptomic and metagenomics.
Results
The results showed that Ralstonia and Sphingomonas were enriched in cows with subclinical mastitis. The relative abundance of the two bacteria was positively correlated with the expression level of bovine TCN1 (Transcobalamin 1 encoding gene) and UPP1 (uridine phosphorylase 1 encoding gene). Moreover, functional analysis revealed a distinct alternation in some important microbial biological processes.
Conclusion
These results reveal the relative abundance of Ralstonia and Sphingomonas other than common mastitis-causing pathogens varied from healthy cows to those with subclinical mastitis and might be associated with elevated SCC. Potential association was observed between bovine milk microbiota composition and the transcriptional pattern of some genes, thus providing new insights to understand homeostasis of bovine udder.

Keywords: Host-microbe Interplay, Metagenome; Subclinical Mastitis; Transcriptome