Postbiotics from Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation stabilize microbiota in rumen digesta during grain-based subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in lactating dairy cows

Grain-based SARA challenges compromised the stability and functionality of the rumen microbiota. This study was to test the effects of two commercially available SCFP, XPC and NutriTek, on rumen liquid ans solid microbiota in lactating dairy cows during episodes of SARA challenge.Supplementation with SCFP postbiotics, stabilized the relative abundances of bacterial community members and promoted the populations of lactate utilizing and fibrolytic bacteria when exposed to SARA challenges. NutriTek at 2X dose, was the most efficient SCFP that enhanced the robustness of the rumen microbiota. We concluded that grain-based SARA challenges disrupted rumen liquid and solid microbiota of lactating dairy cows and supplementation with SCFP postbiotics could attenuate adverse effects of SARA on rumen associated microbiome. These findings may help to develop the strategies to maintain the rumen health and animal production during SARA challenges.