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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.09.08.675018

Effects of different proportions of ground corn and steam-flaked corn diets on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, rumen fermentation and rumen microbial metagenome of yaks

Zhang, X.·Hu, Z.·Peng, Z.·Wang, H.·Huang, Y.
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Abstract

This study objected to assess the effect of substituting ground corn (GC) with steam-flaked corn (SFC) at various ratios on growth performance, serum biochemistry, rumen fermentation, and microbiome in fattening yaks. Fifty male Maiwa yaks (196.43 {+/-} 16.08 kg) were randomly assigned to five groups: SFC 0, SFC 25, SFC 50, SFC 75, and SFC 100, representing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% substitution of GC with SFC. Results showed that the dry-matter intake (DMI) in SFC 0 group was significantly lower than those in other treatment groups (P < 0.05). Among the serum biochemical parameters, the triglyceride (TG) content in the SFC 100 group was significantly higher than other treatment groups (P < 0.05), with a quadratically increase (P < 0.05). Regarding rumen fermentation parameters, the propionate in the SFC 50 and SFC 100 groups was significantly higher than in the other groups (P < 0.05). At the phylum level of the rumen microbiome, the replacing with SFC significantly increased the relative abundance of Planctomycetota, Bacteria, and Candidatus_Saccharibacteria (P < 0.05). At the genus level, the replacing with SFC significantly increased the relative abundance of Paludibacteraceae and Bacteria (P < 0.05). Among the CAZy enzymes in the rumen, the relative abundance of cellulase modules (CM) in the SFC 0 group was significantly higher than other groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, replacing 50% of GC with SFC may be an effective strategy to enhances growth performance in yak farming by improving rumen fermentation, microbiome composition, and carbohydrate-active enzymes. HighlightsO_LIThe replacement of GC with SFC can optimize rumen fermentation of yaks. C_LIO_LIThe replacement of GC with SFC in the diets affected the rumen microbiome of yaks. C_LIO_LIMetagenome profiled differences between CAZy enzymes and eggNOG functional proteins. C_LI

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Zhang, X., Hu, Z., Peng, Z., Wang, H., Huang, Y.. 2025-09-12. Effects of different proportions of ground corn and steam-flaked corn diets on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, rumen fermentation and rumen microbial metagenome of yaks. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.09.08.675018

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