Study on the Plateau Adaptive Synergistic Mechanism of Rumen Microbiome-Metabolome-Resistome in Tibetan Sheep

Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) are an important livestock breed adapted to the extreme environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). Its energy metabolism and environmental adaptability are highly dependent on the rumen microbiome. However, systematic comparisons of the rumen microbiome, its functions, and the resistome between plateau-adapted breeds and lowland breeds remain insufficient. To clarify the unique characteristics of the rumen microbiome, metabolome, and resistome of Tibetan sheep, this study selected Hu sheep, a lowland breed, as the control under the same plateau feeding and management conditions. By comprehensively applying metagenomics and metabolomics technologies, it systematically compared and analyzed the breed differences in rumen microbial community structure, functions, resistome, and metabolites between Tibetan sheep and Hu sheep.