Coping with extremes: the Rumen Transcriptome and Microbiome Co-regulate Plateau Adaptability of Xizang Goat

The interactions between the rumen flora and the host are crucial for the digestive and absorptive processes of ruminants, and they are heavily influenced by the climatic conditions of their habitat. Owing to the harsh conditions of the high-altitude habitat, little is known about how ruminants regulate the host transcriptome and the makeup of their rumen flora. Using the model species of goats, We examined the variations in the rumen flora, Transcriptome regulation, and climate of the environment between high altitude (Lhasa, Tibet; 3650 m) and low altitude (Chengdu, Sichuan, China; 500 m) goats. When compared to goats from low altitudes, the findings showed how hard the environmental climate was for Xizang goats. The results of 16 S rRNA sequencing revealed variations in the abundance, diversity, and composition of rumen flora. Papillibacter, Quinella, and Saccharofermentans were chosen as potential flora for the adaptation of Xizang goats to the harsh climate of the plateau by the Spearman correlation study of climate and flora. Based on Rumen transcriptome sequencing analysis, 244 genes were found to be differentially expressed between low-altitude goats and Xizang goats, with 127 genes showing significant up-regulation and 117 genes showing significant down-regulation. SLC26A9, GPX3, ARRDC4, and COX1 were identified as potential candidates for plateau adaptation in Xizang goats. Moreover, The metabolism of fatty acids, arachidonic acids, The pathway involving cytokines and their receptors could be essential for adaptation to plateau hypoxia and cold endurance. The expression of GPX3, a gene linked to plateau acclimatization in Xizang goats, was linked to the abundance of Anaerovibrio, and the expression of SLC26A9 was linked to the quantity of Selenomonas, according to ruminal flora and host Spearman correlation analysis. Our findings imply that in order to adapt to harsh plateau conditions, Xizang goats have evolved to maximize digestion and absorption as well as to have a rumen microbiota suitable for the composition of their diet.