Exploratory study of volatile fatty acids and the rumen-and-gut microbiota of dairy cows in a single farm, with respect to subclinical infection with bovine leukemia virus

Abstract Background Subclinical infection with bovine leukemia virus (BLV) in cows can cause economic losses milk and meat production many countries, as BLV-related negative effects. The volatile fatty acids (VFAs) microbiota present the digestive tracts of contribute to cow health. Here, we exploratorily investigated VFAs rumen gut respect subclinical BLV using housed at a single farm. Results We analyzed herd 38 kept one farm, which included 15 uninfected 23 BLV-infected cows. First, analysis rumen, gut, blood revealed an absence statistically significant differences between groups. Thus, did not major changes VFA levels all tested specimens. Next, microbiota. microbial diversity modest difference groups gut; by contrast, no were observed rumen. In addition, investigation bacteria that predominant via differential abundance showed either possibly affected small extent. Moreover, bacterial associations compared results this suggested equilibrium both microbiota, might be related may negatively affect Conclusions is likely partly explain