PacBio and Illumina MiSeq Amplicon Sequencing Confirm Full Recovery of the Bacterial Community After Subacute Ruminal Acidosis Challenge in the RUSITEC System.

The impact of subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) on the rumen bacterial community has been frequently studied in trials. Here we investigated whether these alterations can be mirrored by using the rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) as an model for this disease. We hypothezised that the bacterial community fully recovers after a subacute ruminal acidosis challenge.

Alterations in fermentation parameters during and after induction of a subacute rumen acidosis in the rumen simulation technique.

Subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) is a common problem in dairy cattle. High-concentrate rations lead to an accumulation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the rumen and a subsequent decrease in ruminal pH. As SARA impairs animal welfare and productivity, numerous in vivo studies are focusing on evaluation of prevention strategies.