Unveiling the dynamism of calves’ respiratory and gut microbiomes: stability, resilience, and individual patterns through health and disease

This project aims to elucidate the complex interactions between the microbiome and its host during the critical early stages of life. By monitoring the temporal dynamics of the airways and gut microbiomes in 30 veal calves over their first five months, the study explores how these microbial communities associate with various immune and clinical markers. Key Findings: 1. Microbiome Stability and Individuality: Each body site exhibited distinct microbiome stability and individuality. 2. Fecal Microbiome: Displayed greater diversity, bacterial biomass, stability, and resilience as the calves matured, highlighting its complexity and functional changes in the gut environment. 3. Nasal Microbiome: Showed a more skewed ecological structure and higher turnover, likely due to microbial immigration and mucociliary clearance. 4. Influencing Factors: Weather, diet, and antibiotics significantly influenced the variations in both fecal and airways microbiota compositions. Host regulatory mechanisms, particularly the immune system, also played a role. 5. Rectal Temperature: Identified as a significant indicator of microbiota structure in both airways and fecal samples, surpassing diarrhea and respiratory scores. Implications: As the calves aged, their microbiome dynamics appeared synchronized across different body sites, suggesting an overarching system influenced by the holobiont. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into multi-site microbial dynamics and their relationship with the host and environment, offering potential optimization strategies for managing these crucial developmental periods.