dairy cows microbiota and metabolic parameters Raw sequence reads. bovine gut metagenome

In this study, we hypothesized that replacing alfalfa hay with Urtica cannabina does not affect performance and apparent digestibility of dairy cows, but benefit for gastrointestinal health. Therefore, our objective was to 1) evaluate the effects of replacing alfalfa hay with Urtica cannabina on performance and apparent digestibility in lactating dairy cows. 2) investigate the ruminal and fecal microbiota change, and combined analysis with blood metabolomics to help interpret results of the gastrointestinal health and lactation study.