Abstract
The present study, using 16 s rRNA sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region, was aimed to check diversity of vaginal microbiota throughout different stages of the estrous cycle in Bos indicus, with attention to changes in progesterone hormone and microorganism diversity. Metagenomic research was conducted on vaginal swabs obtained from nine healthy Indian Gir cows at estrus (day 0), metestrus (day 04), diestrus (day 12), and proestrus (day 16) phases of the estrous cycle. The findings revealed that the diestrus phase has a different bacterial diversity than the other three estrous cycle phases, implying that progesterone affects bacterial diversity. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the most abundant phyla at the phylum level, accounting for 94% of bacterial diversity. Actinobacteriota, Patescibacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Bacteroidota were among the less prevalent phyla observed in all samples. After statistical analysis, Bacillaceae, Alcaligenes, Enterobacteriaceae, and Morganellaceae families were more significant. The Enterobacteriaceae family was found to be lower in the diestrus phase than in the other three phases; in contrast, all statistically significant genera were high at the diestrus phase. The luteal stage had higher levels of Micrococcus, Stenotrophomonas, UGC-010, Massilia, and Methylobacillus than the follicular stage, and statistical analysis revealed substantial difference between the luteal and follicular stages. Lactobacillus genus was present in both the estrus and diestrus phases. This study represents an important step toward the understanding of microbial diversity within different stages of the estrous cycle of Indian cows.
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All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article (and its supplementary information files).
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India, for providing funding support and Kamdhenu University for providing technical support and logistics for conducting the experiment. Furthermore, we also extend our deep gratitude to the farmers for allowing us to their farms to conduct this experiment.
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The experimental scheme was designed by VS, MJ, and CJ. VS and KP participated in the experiment process and assisted in sampling. The analysis of experimental data and the making of charts were completed by PG, KP, Nitin, and AP who also completed the initial draft; PG rewrote the draft. VS and MJ completed the overall modification of the manuscript. CJ and DP improved and polished the language of the article. DP, MJ, and CJ provided the necessary experimental equipment and key guidance during the experiment process. The authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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All experimental designs and protocols were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the Kamdhenu University and were under the recommendations of the academy’s guidelines for animal research.
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Gohil, P., Patel, K., Purohit, K. et al. Metagenomic analysis of bacterial communities during estrous cycle in Bos indicus. Trop Anim Health Prod 54, 118 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-022-03119-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-022-03119-5