Shifts in the microbial community and metabolome in rumen ecological niches during antler growth

Antlers are hallmark organ of deer, exhibiting a relatively high growth rate among mammals, and requiring large amounts of nutrients to meet its development. The rumen microbiota plays key roles in nutrient metabolism. However, changes in the microbiota and metabolome in the rumen during antler growth are largely unknown. We investigated rumen microbiota (liquid, solid, ventral epithelium, and dorsal epithelium) and metabolic profiles of sika deer at the early (EG), metaphase (MG) and fast growth (FG) stages. Our data showed greater concentrations of acetate and propionate in the rumens of sika deer from the MG and FG groups than in those of the EG group. However, microbial diversity decreased during antler growth, and was negatively correlated with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels.