A METHOD TO THE MADNESS: USING IMMUNOGLOBULIN A TO MODULATE THE RUMEN MICROBIOME

Our overall objective in this proposal is to evaluate the short and long-term impacts of early-life exposure to milk SIgA on the rumen microbial ecosystem and the efficiency of animal production. We will achieve the overall objective by pursuing the following twospecific objectives:Identify how the early-life supply of milk SIgA influences the assembly of the rumen microbial ecosystem as well as microbial diversity and activity during and after the intervention. Our working hypothesis is that the supply of milk SIgA will favor the assembly of the rumen microbiome. We also propose that SIgA modulates rumen composition and activity by binding to specific rumen microorganisms.Determine the effects of milk SIgA supply during early life on the production efficiency of dairy cows. Our working hypothesis is that exposure of newborn dairy calves to milk SIgA will enhance the ability of the animals to convert feed nutrients into milk and milk components.