Effects of fibrolytic enzymes alone or with live yeast on rumen microbiota and fermentation during grazing-to-indoor transition in dairy cows

Abstract

Rumen microbial fermentation plays a central role in nutrient utilization and milk production in dairy cows. This study evaluated the effects of supplementation with exogenous fibrolytic enzymes, alone or in combination with live yeast on rumen microbiota, fermentation characteristics, nitrogen-related metabolites, and production performance during the transition from outdoor grazing to indoor housing. Thirty Lithuanian Red dairy cows were assigned to control (CTR), enzyme (E), or enzyme plus yeast (YE) treatments across outdoor (OD) and transit (T) periods, while nine cows (three per group) were selected for rumen and microbiota analysis. Rumen bacterial communities were characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and functional parameters were evaluated using linear mixed-effects models. Supplementation resulted in selective changes in several bacterial genera, including Blautia spp., WPS-2, Ruminococcus spp., Erysipelotrichaceae UCG-009, Sharpea spp., uncultured Bacteroidales, and Prevotellaceae UCG-003, and was associated with alterations in fermentation patterns, particularly propionate concentration, and in nitrogen metabolism, including putrescine dynamics. The transition period significantly influenced microbial diversity and total bacterial abundance across treatments. Cows in the YE group maintained higher milk yield during the transition period. Overall, dietary supplementation modulated specific rumen metabolic responses and contributed to production stability without causing large-scale changes in overall microbial structure.