HerItability in cattle from a HOlobiont PErspective

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Christian Menge
• Subject Area: Animal Breeding, Animal Nutrition, Animal Husbandry ; Veterinary Medical Science
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 545540892

Substantial evidence exists that the intestinal microbiome of cattle comprises a functional network of core components, i.e., bacterial taxa, species or strains, that is instrumental to stabilize the integrity of the microbiome, e.g., in terms of excluding pathogenic bacteria, not adapted to be integral part of the network, from extensive proliferation or colonization. Partners in the HI-HOPE project hypothesize that this core microbiome is stabilized by host genetic factors to establish a holobiont, which is suggestive of a hereditability of a beneficial microbiome (‘microbiability’). We propose that this hypothesis can be best proven using a highly controlled breeding setup, through which: i) the parents’ genetics and life history are fully recorded, ii) groups of offspring are generated possessing closely related genotypes (siblings) within groups but different genotypes (‘non-related’) between groups, and iii) the offspring is kept in a well-controlled environment, in which their microbiota can be monitored. To this end, the project will capitalize on an established breeding program deploying embryo transfer (ET) planned to yield two genetically different groups of calves. Each group comprises several groups of approximately 8 siblings which are kept on the same farm. With fecal samples from these animals, we seek to identify patterns in the microbiomes conserved by host genotype and reconstruct the functional network between its components. Comparing microbiomes between biological mothers (foster dams, recipient dams) and calves at the age of 2 weeks will inform on transmissibility of bacterial strains having occurred in the setting whereas comparisons with microbiomes of the same calves at the age of 18-20 weeks will help identifying strains retained by the host (bull and embryo donor cow genetics). The proposed research developed from recent discoveries by the partners. The project will be based on a to-be-created comprehensive collection of samples and identify the core vertically ‘transmissible’ microbiome of cattle with a focus on that subset able to competitively exclude animal and zoonotic pathogens (exemplified for Enterobacteriaceae). Comparing microbiomes between foster dams and their offspring, within genetically related animals (genetic siblings) and between genotypic groups of calves, HI-HOPE will gain first insights into host genetic factors responsible for ‘microbiability’.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: France
• Partner Organisation: Agence Nationale de la Recherche / The French National Research Agency
• Co-Investigators: Dr. Christian Berens; Professor Dr. Thilo Martin Fuchs; Dr. Michael Weber
• Cooperation Partner: Panagiotis Sapountzis, Ph.D.