Genetic parameters for residual feed intake, methane emissions, and body composition in New Zealand maternal sheep

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Abstract

There is simultaneous interest in improving the feed efficiency of ruminant livestock and reducing methane (CH ₄) emissions. The relationship (genetic and phenotypic) between feed efficiency (characterized as residual feed intake: RFI) and greenhouse gases [methane (CH ₄) and carbon dioxide (CO ₂)] traits in New Zealand (NZ) maternal sheep has not previously been investigated, nor has their relationship with detailed estimates of body composition. To investigate these relationships in NZ maternal sheep, a feed intake facility was established at AgResearch Invermay, Mosgiel, NZ in 2015, comprising automated feeders that record individual feeding events. Individual measures of feed intake, feeding behavior (length and duration of eating events), and gas emissions (estimated using portable accumulation chambers) were generated on 986 growing maternal ewe lambs sourced from three pedigree recorded flocks registered in the Sheep Improvement Limited database ( www.sil.co.nz). Additional data were generated from a subset of 591 animals for body composition (estimated using ultrasound and computed tomography scanning). The heritability estimates for RFI, CH ₄, and CH ₄/(CH ₄+CO ₂) were 0.42 ± 0.09, 0.32 ± 0.08, and 0.29 ± 0.06, respectively. The heritability estimates for the body composition traits were high for carcass lean and fat traits; for example, the heritability for visceral fat (adjusted for body weight) was 0.93 ± 0.19. The relationship between RFI and CH ₄ emissions was complex, and although less feed eaten will lead to a lowered absolute amount of CH ₄ emitted, there was a negative phenotypic and genetic correlation between RFI and CH ₄/(CH ₄+CO ₂) _of −0.13 ± 0.03 and −0.41 ± 0.15, respectively. There were also genetic correlations, that were different from zero, between both RFI and CH ₄ traits with body composition including a negative correlation between the proportion of visceral fat in the body and RFI (−0.52 ± 0.16) and a positive correlation between the proportion of lean in the body and CH ₄ (0.54 ± 0.12). Together the results provide the first accurate estimates of the genetic correlations between RFI, CH ₄ emissions, and the body composition (lean and fat) in sheep. These correlations will need to be accounted for in genetic improvement programs.

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The VFA, also known as short-chain fatty acids, are produced in the gastrointestinal tract by microbial fermentation of carbohydrates and endogenous substrates, such as mucus. This can be of great advantage to the animal, since no digestive enzymes exist for breaking down cellulose or other complex carbohydrates. The VFA are produced in the largest amounts in herbivorous animal species and especially in the forestomach of ruminants. The VFA, however, also are produced in the lower digestive tract of humans and all animal species, and intestinal fermentation resembles that occurring in the rumen. The principal VFA in either the rumen or large intestine are acetate, propionate, and butyrate and are produced in a ratio varying from approximately 75:15:10 to 40:40:20. Absorption of VFA at their site of production is rapid, and large quantities are metabolized by the ruminal or large intestinal epithelium before reaching the portal blood. Most of the butyrate is converted to ketone bodies or CO2 by the epithelial cells, and nearly all of the remainder is removed by the liver. Propionate is similarly removed by the liver but is largely converted to glucose. Although species differences exist, acetate is used principally by peripheral tissues, especially fat and muscle. Considerable energy is obtained from VFA in herbivorous species, and far more research has been conducted on ruminants than on other species. Significant VFA, however, are now known to be produced in omnivorous species, such as pigs and humans. Current estimates are that VFA contribute approximately 70% to the caloric requirements of ruminants, such as sheep and cattle, approximately 10% for humans, and approximately 20-30% for several other omnivorous or herbivorous animals. The amount of fiber in the diet undoubtedly affects the amount of VFA produced, and thus the contribution of VFA to the energy needs of the body could become considerably greater as the dietary fiber increases. Pigs and some species of monkey most closely resemble humans, and current research should be directed toward examining the fermentation processes and VFA metabolism in those species. In addition to the energetic or nutritional contributions of VFA to the body, the VFA may indirectly influence cholesterol synthesis and even help regulate insulin or glucagon secretion. In addition, VFA production and absorption have a very significant effect on epithelial cell growth, blood flow, and the normal secretory and absorptive functions of the large intestine, cecum, and rumen. The absorption of VFA and sodium, for example, seem to be interdependent, and release of bicarbonate usually occurs during VFA absorption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

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Contributors

Patricia L. Johnson: URI : https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/1279253/overview

Sharon Hickey: URI : https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/1465579/overview

Arjan Jonker: URI : https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/595489/overview

Peter H. Janssen: URI : https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/321439/overview

Ken G. Dodds: URI : https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/581788/overview

John C. McEwan: URI : https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/108511/overview

Suzanne J. Rowe: URI : https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/1749071/overview

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Front Genet

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Front Genet

Journal ID (publisher-id): Front. Genet.

Title: Frontiers in Genetics

Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.

ISSN (Electronic): 1664-8021

Publication date (Electronic): 16 August 2022

Publication date Collection: 2022

Volume: 13

Electronic Location Identifier: 911639

Affiliations

[1] ¹ Invermay Agricultural Centre , AgResearch Ltd. , Mosgiel, New Zealand

[2] ² Ruakura Research Centre , AgResearch Ltd. , Hamilton, New Zealand

[3] ³ Woodlands Research Station , AgResearch Ltd. , Woodlands, New Zealand

[4] ⁴ Grasslands Research Centre , AgResearch Ltd. , Palmerston North, New Zealand

Author notes

Edited by: Majid Khansefid, La Trobe University, Australia

Reviewed by: Cristina Sartori, University of Padua, Italy

Jun He, Hunan Agricultural University, China

*Correspondence: Patricia L. Johnson, tricia.johnson@ 123456agresearch.co.nz

This article was submitted to Livestock Genomics, a section of the journal Frontiers in Genetics

Article

Publisher ID: 911639

DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.911639

PMC ID: 9425048

PubMed ID: 36051695

SO-VID: bf36ef28-160e-4137-b7e8-250bbd6e1015

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Genetic parameters for residual feed intake, methane emissions, and body composition in New Zealand maternal sheep

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Genome Integrity

Most cited references 51

Energy contributions of volatile fatty acids from the gastrointestinal tract in various species.

Some new, simple and efficient stereological methods and their use in pathological research and diagnosis.

Efficiency of Feed Use in Beef Cattle

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