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. 2024 Dec 19;20(1):566.
doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-04419-8.

The cow GUTBIOME CY study: investigating the composition of the cattle gut microbiome in health and infectious disease transmission in cyprus

Daphne E Mavrides  1   2 , Maria Liapi  3 , Despo Ierodiakonou  4 , Christodoulos Pipis  3 , Stavros Malas  5 , Eleni Gentekaki  6 , Anastasios D Tsaousis  7   8
Affiliations

The cow GUTBIOME CY study: investigating the composition of the cattle gut microbiome in health and infectious disease transmission in cyprus

Daphne E Mavrides et al. BMC Vet Res. .

Abstract

Background: Recent evidence suggests that the lower gut microbiome of ruminants presents roles in their health and environment, including the development of the mucosal immune system, milk production efficiency and quality and subsequent methane emissions. However, there are proportionately fewer studies on this complex microbial community in cattle and region-focus studies are non- existent.

Methods: Herein, we present the research protocol of the GUTBIOME CY project pertaining to determine the composition of the lower gut microbiome in dairy cows situated in 37 farms across five districts of the island of Cyprus. Detailed questionnaires on animal husbandry and farming practices will be gathered from each farm. Faecal, milk (individual and bulk) and water samples will also be collected from cows and their offspring. Samples will be analysed using a combination of molecular biology and bioinformatics pipelines to define microbiome profiles and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Information collected from the questionnaires will be used to test for associations between animal husbandry or farming practices and microbiome components and AMR.

Discussion: Collected samples will establish the first dairy cattle biobank in the country for contributing substantially towards scientific advancements in microbiome research and providing insights to all stakeholders, tailored to the unique agricultural context of Cyprus.

Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; Biobank; Cattle; Cyprus; Gut Health; Microbiome.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The project was submitted for bioethical approval to the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee, which deemed that no approval was necessary because the collection of samples is considered part of the regular practices of the State. Approval from the Government Veterinary Services has been obtained and no further licenses or documents are required. Each farm participating in the study has signed a consent form voluntarily agreeing to take part in the project and authorising the researcher to collect, process and use their data. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Distribution of 37 farms selected to take part in the study. Blue dots denote the location of each farm within 5 districts of Cyprus
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Flowchart of methods for sample collection (faecal, individual milk, bulk milk and water samples) from 37 selected farms within five separate districts of Cyprus
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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