ArticleMicrobiome2026
Integrated metatranscriptomics identifies Lachnospiraceae as keystone taxa regulating rumen biohydrogenation and milk ω-6/ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio in dairy cows.
Article in Microbiome, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundEnhancing milk nutritional quality through increased ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content and a reduced ω-6/ω-3 PUFA ratio represents a significant opportunity for improving dairy products. While ruminal biohydrogenation substantially influences milk fatty acid (FA) composition, the specific microbial mechanisms regulating the milk fat ω-6/ω-3 PUFA ratio remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to identify key microbial taxa and metabolic pathways controlling this nutritionally relevant parameter, thereby establishing a foundation for targeted microbiome interventions to optimize milk FA profiles.
resultsAnalysis of 95 Holstein cows revealed that rumen bacterial community composition explained 41.0% of the variation in the milk ω-6/ω-3 PUFA ratio. Comparative analysis of cows with contrasting phenotypes (high-ratio, HFR; low-ratio, LFR) demonstrated distinct FA profiles across rumen fluid, serum, and milk, with α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 C9,12,15) and linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 C9,12) emerging as critical determinants. Integrated metatranscriptomic and amplicon sequencing identified members of the family Lachnospiraceae, particularly Butyrivibrio and Eubacterium genera, as central regulators of PUFA metabolism. Notably, HFR-associated microbiomes showed enrichment of FA isomerase gene transcripts. Experimental validation using isolated strains demonstrated that B. hungatei preferentially hydrogenated ALA, while Eubacterium_I efficiently metabolized LA, establishing a mechanistic basis for differential substrate biohydrogenation that influences the final ω-6/ω-3 PUFA ratio.
conclusionsCollectively, these results indicate that rumen microbial community structure and transcriptional activity are closely associated with variation in the milk ω-6/ω-3 PUFA ratio. Members of Lachnospiraceae appear to contribute to substrate-specific biohydrogenation processes that may influence downstream milk FA composition. These findings provide a multi-omics framework for understanding microbiome-lipid interactions and support future efforts to develop microbiome-targeted strategies for improving dairy nutritional quality. Video Abstract.
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