Rumen and Cecum Microbial Dynamics Following Narasin Inclusion in Nellore Cattle Diets

High-energy diets in feedlot cattle can lead to metabolic issues like ruminal acidosis. Ionophores, such as narasin, are used to mitigate these effects and improve performance by modulating the rumen microbiota. However, the specific effects of narasin on the bacterial communities of the rumen and cecum are not fully understood. This study aims to fill that knowledge gap by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize and compare the rumen and cecum microbiomes of feedlot-finished Nellore cattle with and without narasin supplementation. The goal is to clarify narasin's mode of action and provide a microbial basis for the performance improvements observed in cattle receiving this feed additive. This dataset provides the raw sequencing data from this investigation.