MicroNor: Characterization of the microbiota of Normande dairy cows to improve production efficiency, disease resilience, and longevity
The gut microbiota is considered the second genome of mammals. It contains a number of bacterial cells comparable to the number of cells present in the host organism. These microorganisms contain approximately 100 times more genes than the host genome. Discoveries regarding the role of the microbiota in host physiology are continuously increasing, highlighting its involvement in nutrient absorption and synthesis, intestinal development and function, protection against pathogens, bone homeostasis, neurotransmitter synthesis, as well as effects on behavior and pain perception.  In dairy cattle, interactions between the rumen and intestinal microbiota have been demonstrated. These microbial communities appear to influence animal performance, health, and longevity. Heritable rumen bacterial communities in cattle have been correlated with the ability of cows to extract energy from their diet. Modulation of the intestinal microbiota may represent an opportunity to extend the productive lifespan of dairy cows and improve milk production performance.  A proof of concept has been established demonstrating the possibility of modulating the genetic potential of bulls according to cow performance and their farming environment, characterized through their intestinal microbiota (GHP Prim'Holstein project: Gène Diffusion).  The MicroNor project aims to develop a methodology to characterize the farming environment in the Normande breed through intestinal microbiota profiling, with the objective of selecting animals better adapted to their production environment and identifying management practices that improve performance, resilience, and the environmental impact of dairy farms.  This project, coordinated by Littoral Normand and co-funded by the European Union and the Normandy Region, brings together the partners Origen Normande, Gène Diffusion, and Seenovia.  A total of 2,600 dairy cows from 40 farms will be studied to identify:  Interactions between genotype and microbiota, in order to select animals best adapted to their farming environment. Interactions between microbiota and performance traits, in order to identify microbiota profiles associated with improved performance. Interactions between farming practices and microbiota, in order to identify management strategies promoting beneficial microbiota profiles.
The gut microbiota is considered the second genome of mammals. It contains a number of bacterial cells comparable to the number of cells present in the host organism. These microorganisms contain approximately 100 times more genes than the host genome. Discoveries regarding the role of the microbiota in host physiology are continuously increasing, highlighting its involvement in nutrient absorption and synthesis, intestinal development and function, protection against pathogens, bone homeostasis, neurotransmitter synthesis, as well as effects on behavior and pain perception.  In dairy cattle, interactions between the rumen and intestinal microbiota have been demonstrated. These microbial communities appear to influence animal performance, health, and longevity. Heritable rumen bacterial communities in cattle have been correlated with the ability of cows to extract energy from their diet. Modulation of the intestinal microbiota may represent an opportunity to extend the productive lifespan of dairy cows and improve milk production performance.  A proof of concept has been established demonstrating the possibility of modulating the genetic potential of bulls according to cow performance and their farming environment, characterized through their intestinal microbiota (GHP Prim'Holstein project: Gène Diffusion).  The MicroNor project aims to develop a methodology to characterize the farming environment in the Normande breed through intestinal microbiota profiling, with the objective of selecting animals better adapted to their production environment and identifying management practices that improve performance, resilience, and the environmental impact of dairy farms.  This project, coordinated by Littoral Normand and co-funded by the European Union and the Normandy Region, brings together the partners Origen Normande, Gène Diffusion, and Seenovia.  A total of 2,600 dairy cows from 40 farms will be studied to identify:  Interactions between genotype and microbiota, in order to select animals best adapted to their farming environment. Interactions between microbiota and performance traits, in order to identify microbiota profiles associated with improved performance. Interactions between farming practices and microbiota, in order to identify management strategies promoting beneficial microbiota profiles.