Evaluation of Megasphaera elsdenii supplementation on rumen fermentation, production performance, carcass traits and health of ruminants: a meta-analysis

Development of the database

A database was compiled based on published research articles reporting the supplementation of M. elsdenii in ruminants. The search engines of journal collections such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Semantic Scholar, and PubMed were used to retrieve various articles on the relationship between M. elsdenii with rumen fermentability, productivity, and health of ruminants. Articles were included in the database if they met the following criteria: i) the articles employed in vivo studies in ruminants; ii) the addition of M. elsdenii should be the only factor in one treatment; and iii) the articles were published in English. The parameters integrated into the database were rumen pH, ammonia (NH₃), total VFA, acetate (C₂), propionate (C₃), butyrate (C₄), iso-butyrate (iso-C₄), valerate (C₅), iso-valerate (iso-C₅), caproate (C₆), ratio acetate to propionate (C₂:C₃), lactic acid concentration, total bacterial population, protozoa population, methane emission (CH₄), dry matter intake (DMI), initial body weight (IBW), final body weight (FBW), ADG, body condition score (BCS), marbling, conformation, fat code, longissimus muscle area (LMA), kidney pervic and heart fat (KPH Fat), 12th rib fat, hot carcass weight, carcass gain, dressing percentage, rumen score, liver score, liver abscess, diarrhoea and bloat (DnB), pH blood, PCO₂, blood metabolite (Na, K, Ca), blood glucose, beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), blood lactate, hematocrit, HCO₃, excess base (BE), urine pH, urine electrolyte (Na, K, Cl), and urine electrolyte balance (EB). Outlier analysis using z-score was performed in order to ensure that the data did not have any anomaly, i.e., very different from the results of other data within a particular parameter.

The levels and strain of M. elsdenii supplementation were compiled in database. The final database was comprised of 32 in vivo studies with a total of 136 data points. The animals which received the supplementation of M. elsdenii were cattle and sheep with the inoculation method orally and rumen cannulated. These animals were fed primarily grains (corn grain, barley grain, wheat grain and other grains), hay, alfalfa silage, maize silage, soybean meal and concentrate. The M. elsdenii concentration was expressed as log 10 CFU. Measurements expressed in other units (CFU or CFU/mL) in the studies were converted to log 10 CFU using the information available in the papers. Different measuring units were used to report values for some metrics. In these situations, calculations based on the data in the articles were done to convert the values into comparable units. Methane emission was estimated using the stoichiometrical formula of VFA profiles [20]. Table 1 provides a summary of the studies included in the present meta-analysis.

Table 1

Studies used for meta-analysis of Megasphaera elsdenii supplementation in ruminants in vivo

Statistical analysis

Using a mixed-model meta-analysis approach [21–23], the collected data were statistically examined. The analysis employed the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) [24]. The studies were considered as random effects, while the suplementation concentrations of M. elsdenii were considered as the fixed effects. The continuous predictor variable consisted of the concentrations of M. elsdenii supplementation as follows:

where Y_ij = dependent variable; B₀ = overall intercept across all studies (fixed effect); B₁ = linear regression coefficient of Y on X (fixed effect); B₂ = quadratic regression coefficient of Y on X (fixed effect); X_ij = value of the continuous predictor variable (M. elsdenii concentration); s_i = value of random effect of study i; b_i = random effect of study on the regression coefficient of Y on X in study i; and e_ij = the unexplained residual error. The RANDOM statement was made on the basis of different studies. The number of study replications was used to weight these models [25]. The interactions between different animals and the method of inoculation were also analyzed. To analyze the interaction, the same formula as above was employed but involving other covariates in the data, i.e., the type of livestock and the inoculation method. This model was assessed linearly as an interaction effect [26]. As for the quadratic model, when the results were not significant, the linear model was maintained. Quadratic results were selected when they were significants and had smaller AIC values. The model was deemed significant at p<0.05 or had a tendency to be significant between 0.05<p<0.10.

Rumen fermentation and production performance

Rumen pH is one of the most important factors to measure the fermentability of feed in the rumen. A low pH of the rumen occurs when high-concentrated feed is fed due to the rapid fermentation of starch and the accumulation of lactic acid, since the bacteria that use lactic acid have limited capacity to utilize the organic acid properly. According to the results of the meta-analysis, the administration of M. elsdenii can increase the rumen pH. This result is supported by a review conducted by Meissner et al [16], where M. elsdenii strain 41125 successfully maintained and prevented a decrease in pH during the introduction of SARA.

Furthermore, in the digestion of ruminants, feed protein that enters the rumen will be remodelled by protease enzymes produced by rumen microbes to generate NH₃ which is the end product of feed protein degradation. According to the results of the analysis, the administration of M. elsdenii gave a quadratic effect on NH₃ concentration in the rumen. The increase in ammonia at the beginning of feeding was due to the feed protein being fermented rapidly by rumen microbes. In contrast, after undergoing metabolism, the ammonia concentration decreased due to increased use of concentrates reducing the use of forage ratios which resulted in a reduced number of cellulolytic microbes that utilize NH₃-N in the rumen [54,55]. Meanwhile, VFA, which are the main product of rumen microbial fermentation and the primary energy source for ruminants, were found to follow a quadratic response after M. elsdenii supplementation. An increase in VFA concentration reflects an increase in protein and soluble dietary carbohydrates in the rumen, and vice versa [56]. These findings demonstrate that the administration of M. elsdenii can modulate some products of rumen fermentation.

M. elsdenii is used as a probiotic because of its ability to utilize lactate in the rumen and produce propionate through the acrylate pathway [8]. According to the results of the analysis, the proportion of propionate also linearly increased following the M. elsdenii administration. This had been confirmed in a number of literatures as well [12–14]. In addition, the reduction of acetate proportion after M. elsdenii supplementation was since M. elsdenii at low rumen pH produce a greater proportion of propionate and butyrate than acetate [57]. Futhermore, the acetate produced is fermented again via the β-oxidation pathway to produce butyrate [33], which explains the increase of butyrate after the inoculation of M. elsdenii. With regard to such changes in the VFA profiles, it becomes clear that M. elsdenii is able to lower methane production since propionate formation utilizes hydrogen which is a primary substrate for methanogenesis [58].

Regarding the lower concentration of lactic acid after M. elsdenii supplementation, the bacterial species is able to metabolize 60% to 80% of lactic acid in the rumen [6], making it as a suitable probiotic candidate to help in mitigating lactic acidosis. Various in vitro and in vivo experiments have been conducted and generally they demonstrated that M. elsdenii was able to prevent the accumulation of lactic acid during the transition to high-grain diets [36,51,59–62]. The interaction between M. elsdenii supplementation level and different inoculation method was significant, indicating that there is an effect of the M. elsdenii inoculation method on the concentration of lactic acid. M. elsdenii is an obligate anaerobic bacterium, so it must be administered orally or via a rumen cannula to avoid oxygen exposure [47]. Several studies with oral inoculation showed more efficient results [15,47]. Oral inoculation is easier with a large number of livestock such as in feedlots, thereby reducing maintenance costs. However, fresh oral products are limited to temporary storage, since they have 14 days shelf life, and are challenging to administer. Livestock must be brought to a chute to receive the probiotic. Research related to oral administration by processing using rehydrated lyophilized has proven to maintain the viability of M. elsdenii cultures [18].

Supplementation of M. elsdenii also quadratically influences the bacterial population in the rumen. Initially, the bacterial population increased until a certain optimal level of M. elsdenii supplementation and then decreased afterwards. Still, after using a large amount of concentrated feed, which causes the fermentation to take place rapidly, the pH decreases due to the increased concentration of lactic acid, which triggers an overly acidic pH condition and kills some bacteria intolerant of acidic conditions. However, several studies have shown that the microbial population of S. bovis and M. elsdenii increase with the increasing level of concentrate use in the diet [1,13,45]. The interactions between M. elsdenii administration and different types of animals as well as inoculation methods tended to affect the bacterial population. In the present meta-analysis, the protozoa population was not affected by M. elsdenii administration. In another study, protozoa population increased in response to M. elsdenii inoculation and this was beneficial for rumen ecology since protozoa competed with S. bovis for substrate in the rumen, therefore minimizing the risk of sub-acute acidosis [36]. According to Wiryawan and Brooker [60], protozoa in the rumen serve as a stabilizing factor for fermentation by consuming bacteria which slows fermentation, particularly in animals fed high-grain diets.

It was revealed in the present meta-analysis that M. elsdenii supplementation reduced DMI. Likewise, administration of M. elsdenii decreased dry matter consumption in heifers [47]. Furthermore, Miller et al [17] explained that the decrease in feed consumption after being given Lacticpro, which is a culture of M. elsdenii strain NCIMB 41125 (Lactipro Advance) in steers did not affect livestock growth, and this difference in feed intake only occurred in the first 18 days. In addition, cattle supplemented with M. elsdenii consumed less DMI resulting in a 19.7% increase in feed efficiency [15]. Moreover, the effect of increasing propionate production in the rumen after being given M. elsdenii also can reduce DMI [14]. This statement is supported by Allen et al [63], who reviewed several studies in which increased propionate in ruminants altered the size and frequency of meals by increasing satiety, thus decrease the DMI. In fact, the decrease in DMI due to M. elsdenii supplementation had no negative effect on livestock performance but, on the contrary, it enhanced FBW, ADG, and BCS. These results are also in line with DeClerck et al [15], in which cows given M. elsdenii had higher ADG as compared to the control treatment, which correlated with an increase in BCS. In addition, steers that received M. elsdenii had a 5.6% better ADG at 3 to 5 weeks of maintenance [40].

Carcass quality

M. elsdenii supplementation had negligible effects on marbling, conformation, fat code, and LMA. In accordance with the findings of multiple studies, administration of M. elsdenii had no effects on LMA [15], marbling scores [41], conformational scores and fat code [51]. However, several studies have shown that there is an increase in the marbling value due to increased lipogenesis [41], as a result of increased rumen fermentation products which are precursors of fat formation. The increase in fermented products as fat precursors actually had an effect on kidney pervic and heart fat which decreased before increasing quadraticly. However, this increase was not accompanied by 12th rib fat which decreased linearly. The decrease of rib fat was due to the interaction effect between different livestock types and inoculation methods. This result contradicts several previous studies, were all stated that M. elsdenii inoculation had no influence on carcass quality [39,41,42].

This study also found that M. elsdenii supplementation increased hot carcass weight and carcass gain. This supports the results on the productivity parameters, i.e., ADG and FBW, which increased due to the probiotic administration. This was in line with DeClerck et al [15] where M. elsdenii inoculation increased carcass gain by 0.20 kg as compared to control. Cattle fed M. elsdenii had an increase in carcass daily gain and hot carcass weight with a shorter adaptation time and oral inoculation [43]. Furthermore, Meisner et al [16] conducted a review regarding the use of M. elsdenii in South Africa, and it was revealed that cattle supplemented with M. elsdenii at 1×10¹⁰ CFU had a 2.2% increase in carcass ADG. An increase in ADG and the use of concentrate feed was found to be associated with dressing percentage parameters, where M. elsdenii supplementation tended to have a linear effect on increasing dressing percentage. These results certainly strengthen the use of M. elsdenii probiotics, which are not only able to utilize lactate in the rumen but also increase productivity and several parameters of carcass quality.

Livestock health

Probiotics have the ability to maintain the balance and activity of the gastrointestinal microbiota, making them beneficial for the host animal [64]. In ruminants, rumen health is an important factor that must be taken into consideration. M. elsdenii, which is capable of utilizing lactic acid in the rumen, is believed to be responsible for rumen health maintenace. In the present study, although M. elsdenii administration did not significantly affect rumen score and liver score, it reduced the risk of livestock experiencing liver abscess and the incidence of diarrhoea and bloat. This reduced risk of liver abscess reflects a mutually beneficial rumen fermentation between M. elsdenii and rumen microbes [51]. Furthermore, Miller et al [17] stated that livestock given commercial probiotic M. elsdenii Lacticpro experienced a decrease in the incidence and severity of liver abscess, which indicated that M. elsdenii was effective in preventing acidosis in cattle. Meanwhile, the number of cattle that experienced diarrhoea and bloat were lower following the M. elsdenii supplementation. Administration of M. elsdenii strain NCIMB 41125 was able to reduce morbidity or livestock experiencing health problems [40].

The last is related to blood metabolites and urine electrolytes. Based on the results on the blood parameters, the results were not significantly different (p>0.1) in pH and most blood metabolites parameters, apart from the fact that the blood lactate concentration tended to decrease linearly (p = 0.054) as the level of M. elsdenii increased. Blood pH rarely fluctuates under normal conditions, this is due to the acid-base conditions of the blood that are saturated with HCO₃ [36]. HCO₃ levels indicate the importance of the kidneys in maintaining the acid-base balance of the blood [65]. Plasma lactate concentrations were lower and tended to decrease more, with wheat-based concentrate feed compared to corn-based feed given the same level of M. elsdenii probiotic inoculation [36]. The decrease in blood lactate is also related to the activation response of the buffer mechanism to blood acidity after being given a high-concentrated diet. These results also prove that M. elsdenii supplementation can minimize the risk of metabolic acidosis due to excessive concentrate feeding.

Furthermore, the urine electrolyte variables Na, K, Cl, and BE were not significantly different (p>0.1). Urinary electrolytes are associated with activation of the buffering mechanism against blood acidity by inoculation of M. elsdenii [36]. This is related to the value of the dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD), where increasing the proportion of concentrate facilitates acid development and causes urinary excretion to be neutralized by ammonia and phosphorus [65]. Meanwhile, the urine pH showed that M. elsdenii supplementation tended to decrease (p = 0.064), which also affected the interaction with livestock species and inoculation methods due to the similarity of the data obtained. Decrease in urine pH was associated with a decrease in DCAD, which was related to the fraction and grain size of the feed [36,65].