Associations of ruminal microbiota with susceptibility to subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy goats

Feeding high-concentrate diets for 10 weeks resulted in greater levels of white blood cells and neutrophils in SARA susceptible dairy goats compared to tolerant goats.

• Dairy goats were divided into two groups based on their susceptibility to subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), with specific pH thresholds used for classification.
• Higher levels of white blood cells, neutrophils, creatinine, and urea nitrogen were observed in SARA susceptible goats compared to tolerant ones.
• The diversity and abundance of the ruminal bacterial community were lower in SARA susceptible goats.
• Certain bacteria important for carbohydrate digestion, such as those from the genera Ruminococcus, were more abundant in SARA susceptible goats.
• The presence of specific bacteria, like Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, was associated with reduced susceptibility to SARA.
• Manipulating the ruminal microbiota composition may provide a new strategy to prevent SARA in ruminants fed high-concentrate diets.

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