Biomarkers Tells Us More of the Metabolic and Nutritional Properties on Methane Emissions in Japanese Black Cattle

Cow methane is an important source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Scientists now know much more about metabolic and dietary traits connected to enteric methane emissions of Japanese black cattle, thanks to a collaborative project that used biomarkers.

Researchers have been looking into methane-reducing feed additives and feeding management systems as a way to combat this.

But only specific breeds and feeding surroundings are still affected.

Methane production of Japanese Holstein Cattle

(Photo : Lomig/Unsplash)

The study's conclusions might provide researchers looking into methane reduction with new avenues to explore, as per ScienceDaily.

The Hyogo Prefectural Technology Center of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries and Professor Sanggun Roh of Tohoku University used physiological indicators like blood metabolites, hormones, amino acids, rumen fermentation, and liver transcriptomes to analyze the relationship between methane emissions and metabolic and nutritional characteristics.

Roh and his team also found that in steers with significant methane concentrations, the concentration of amino acids reduced while the concentration of ketone bodies and insulin increased.

SERPINI2, RRAD, SLC7A5, and APT6 were among the genes associated with amino acid and glucose metabolism that were expressed differently in the liver and were either up- or down-regulated during the late fattening phase of feeding.

In order to replace the energy lost during methane production, cattle with high methane emissions actively used amino acids.

This resulted in lower blood amino acid concentrations and higher blood insulin concentrations. This was accomplished without affecting the muscle growth and quality of the cattle.

Roh's findings implied that physiological variations and liver transcriptomes may be used to track the quantity of methane released by Japanese Black steers.

They hoped that the relationship explored in this study will open up fresh viewpoints.

Also Read: Seaweed Grazing Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emission of Cattles Up to 82%

Livestock Production of Holstein Cattle

A Holstein cow's head and neck are airtight sealed inside a sizable, transparent chamber that mimics a newborn baby incubator inside the University of California, Davis, as per UC Davis.

The cow calmly needs to stand and eat her feed as enormous tubes above the chamber pump and push air in and out.

Data is produced by equipment inside a nearby trailer.

Frank Mitloehner used this method to measure the gases that exit the stomachs of cows and ultimately cause global warming.

Mitloehner is one of several UC Davis researchers looking into cost-effective ways of making livestock production more ecologically responsible all over the world, considering that these emissions is essential to their mitigation.

According to him, only 4% of the greenhouse gases produced in the United States are accounted for by cows and other ruminants, and only 2% are directly attributed to beef cattle.

The effectiveness of livestock production in the United States has improved thanks to better breeding, genetics, and nutrition. 140 million head of cattle have been required to meet supply in the 1970s.

Now, 90 million heads are all that is needed. Additionally, those 90 million cattle are going to produce more meat at the same time.