Predicting Gut Microbiome That Affect Reproductive Efficiency in Livestock

April 10, 2025

A computational study of causal structures that negatively impact fertility performance

Through an industry-academia collaboration involving researchers from Kyushu University, the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, the RIKEN CSRS, and the RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, along with partners from Mirai Global Farm Co., Ito-ham Foods Inc., Nosan Co., Japan Eco-science Co., Chiba University-based startup Sermas Co., and Keiyo Gas Energy Solution Co., it has been demonstrated that the reproductive performance of Japanese Black cattle (Kuroge Wagyu) breeding female can be predicted based on their gut microbiome.

While previous studies in humans and mice have suggested a potential role of gut microbiome in fertility, such relationships had not been clarified in livestock animals like cattle. To address this gap, the research group applied computational approaches to evaluate the causal structure between reproductive performance and the fecal microbiome. As a result, they found that the number of artificial insemination (AI) required for pregnancy could be predicted from the fecal bacterial patterns at least five months before the AI, rather than immediately before.

Moreover, several specific microbial factors associated with reproductive performance were identified. These findings are expected to contribute to reduced feed and production costs for livestock farmers, and ultimately support more sustainable and environmentally friendly livestock management.

 

Original article

Animal Microbiome　doi: 10.1186/s42523-025-00396-x

Y. Taguchi, H. Yamano, Y. Inabu, H. Miyamoto, K. Hayasaki, N. Maeda, Y. Kanmera, S. Yamasaki, N. Ota, K. Mukawa, A. Kurotani, S. Moriya, T. Nakaguma, C. Ishii, M. Matsuura, T. Etoh, Y. Shiotsuka, R. Fujino, M. Udagawa, S. Wada, J. Kikuchi, H. Ohno, H. Takahashi,

"Causal estimation of the relationship between reproductive performance and the fecal bacteriome in cattle".

Contact

Jun Kikuchi
Team Director
Environmental Metabolic Analysis Research Team