E-Thesis 71 views
Microbiome-parasite relationships in lamb in response to pasture management / JACK JEFFERSON
Swansea University Author: JACK JEFFERSON
Abstract
Lambs and most ruminants with outdoor access are vulnerable to parasitic infections which significantly reduces feed intake, hinders growth, increases mortality rates. In farming environments, this negatively impacts carcass quality, wool growth, fertility, and milk yield.With resistance to anthelmi...
| Published: |
Swansea University, Wales, UK
2025
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Research |
| Degree name: | MRes |
| Supervisor: | Wells, K., and Webster, T. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa70376 |
| Abstract: |
Lambs and most ruminants with outdoor access are vulnerable to parasitic infections which significantly reduces feed intake, hinders growth, increases mortality rates. In farming environments, this negatively impacts carcass quality, wool growth, fertility, and milk yield.With resistance to anthelmintics growing among parasites, alternative studies of improving parasitic resistance in sheep must be explored. This study investigated the effects of pasture type, seasonal variation, and parasitic influences on the rumen microbiome composition and diversity in lambs. Twenty one lambs were divided into two dietary treatment groups:ryegrass-dominated pastures (R) and mixed sward pastures (S). Fecal samples were collected monthly over a three-month grazing period and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess microbial diversity and community composition.The results showed that alpha diversity, measured by Shannon and Chao1 indices,significantly increased over time in lambs grazing on ryegrass pastures, while no significant changes were observed for lambs on mixed sward pastures, though trends of increasing diversity were noted. Beta diversity analysis revealed distinct microbial community structures between treatments, with seasonal shifts in the relative abundance of key bacterial taxa, such as Akkermansia, Oscillospiraceae, and Ruminococcus. These changes were strongly influenced by pasture type and seasonal resource availability.Parasitic interactions also played a role in shaping the microbiome, with low coccidia counts associated with reduced microbial diversity, while strongyle and Nematodirus egg counts showed no significant effects. These findings highlight the complex interplay between diet, seasonality, and parasitism in driving microbiome dynamics.This study provides valuable insights into how pasture management practices and parasitic infections influence gastrointestinal microbiome diversity and composition. Future research should explore the functional implications of these microbial shifts on lamb health and productivity, incorporating long-term monitoring and performance metrics such as growthrates and immune function |
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| Item Description: |
A selection of content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis to protect sensitive and personal information. |
| Keywords: |
Microbiome, parasites, pasture diet, lambs, ruminants |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
Ecological Continuity Trust |