Effect of Tulathromycin on Cattle Microbiota and Performance
Author Information
Author(s): Johnson Blaine T., White Brad J., Amachawadi Raghavendra G., Kleinhenz Michael D., Farney Jaymelynn K., Shippy Teresa D., Larson Robert L.
Primary Institution: Kansas State University
Hypothesis
What are the effects of varying proportions of tulathromycin treatment on the nasopharyngeal microbiota and performance characteristics in yearling steers?
Conclusion
The study found no significant differences in performance metrics or the nasal microbiome between treatment groups, but noted significant temporal changes in bacterial populations over time.
Supporting Evidence
- Sampling day significantly affected the diversity of the microbiome.
- No significant differences in performance metrics were observed between treatment groups.
- Resistance patterns of bacteria varied over time but were not significantly different between treatment groups.
Takeaway
This study looked at how giving different amounts of a medicine called tulathromycin to cattle affects their health and the germs in their noses. It found that the amount of medicine didn't change their health or nose germs much, but the germs did change over time.
Methodology
Yearling steers were randomly allocated to pens and treated with either all or half receiving tulathromycin, with nasal swabs collected at multiple time points for analysis.
Potential Biases
The small pen dynamics may differ from larger pens, potentially affecting the results.
Limitations
The study had a small number of cattle per pen and some pens were removed from analysis due to heat stress deaths.
Participant Demographics
Yearling steers of angus-based genetics.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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