Comparative Analysis of Rumen Bacterial Profiles and Functions during Adaption to Different Phenology (Regreen vs. Grassy) in Alpine Merino Sheep with Two Growing Stages on an Alpine Meadow

Phenological periods can affect the growth of forage, single food source for grazing animals, and its nutrition stage animals rumen microbiota. The aim this study was to evaluate effects phenological (regreen vs. grassy) growing stages (hoggets (1.5 years old) rams (3 old)) on bacteria communities functions in Alpine Merion sheep. result showed that Alpha diversity indices ACE (p < 0.001), Chao Shannon 0.001) were higher regreen stage. At phylum level, abundances Bacteroidetes = 0.003) Firmicutes 0.017) shifted with plant phenology. abundance fiber-degrading altered at genus level 0.05). Genes related fatty acid degradation metabolism increased both sheep In grassy stage, vitamin B6 0.046) hoggets. summary, had a significant effect bacterial compartment two stages, while only tended change diversity.