Integrated Host Genome Rumen Microbiome Metabolome Prediction of Low-Methane, High-Feed-Efficiency Sheep Under Climate Stress
5 affiliations
- 1Laboratory of Metabolic Manipulation of Herbivorous Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- 2Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- 3Animal Science Division, Department of Modern Agriculture, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hunan University of Arts and Science, Changde 415000, China
- 4College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- 5Department of Pathology and Laboratory Diagnosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, P.O. Box 6622, Buraidah 51452, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Sheep are well adapted to marginal grazing systems and provide important products such as wool, milk and meat. However, microbial fermentation in the rumen and reticulum generates enteric methane, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production. Both methane emissions and feed efficiency show heritable variation, while host genetics can also shape rumen microbial composition through complex host–microbe interactions. This review explores how host genomics, rumen microbiome profiles, methanogenic archaeal communities, and rumen and blood metabolomics can be combined to identify biomarkers of low methane emissions and improved feed efficiency, particularly under environmental stress. Evidence suggests that methane production is repeatable and genetically influenced, and that rumen microbiome composition is associated with methane emission and feed efficiency, although current evidence does not show that specific microbial taxa directly cause these traits. Integrating host genotype with microbial and metabolic information may therefore improve statistical prediction of methane emissions and residual feed intake, which is not the same as identifying validated biomarkers or showing biological causation. Nevertheless, reliable microbial biomarkers have yet to be established, and validation across breeds, diets, and production environments remains limited. Heat stress adds further complexity by altering rumen fermentation, oxidative status, and microbial community structure, yet integrated omics research under climatic stress remains scarce. Future studies should prioritize longitudinal, multi-breed designs, standardized methane phenotyping, and coordinated multi-omics analyses to develop robust biomarkers for sustainable, low-emission sheep production.
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BibTeX
@article{rehman2026integrated,
title = {{Integrated Host Genome Rumen Microbiome Metabolome Prediction of Low-Methane, High-Feed-Efficiency Sheep Under Climate Stress}},
author = {Shahab Ur Rehman and Mohamed Tharwat and Aftab Shaukat and Abdulrahman A. Alkheraif and Rahmat Ali},
journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/ijms27219707},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/21/9707},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Integrated Host Genome Rumen Microbiome Metabolome Prediction of Low-Methane, High-Feed-Efficiency Sheep Under Climate Stress
AU - Shahab Ur Rehman
AU - Mohamed Tharwat
AU - Aftab Shaukat
AU - Abdulrahman A. Alkheraif
AU - Rahmat Ali
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO - 10.3390/ijms27219707
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/21/9707
AB - Sheep are well adapted to marginal grazing systems and provide important products such as wool, milk and meat. However, microbial fermentation in the rumen and reticulum generates enteric methane, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production. Both methane emissions and feed efficiency show heritable variation, while host genetics can also shape rumen microbial composition through complex host–microbe interactions. This review explores how host genomics, rumen microbiome profiles, methanogenic archaeal communities, and rumen and blood metabolomics can be combined to identify biomarkers of low methane emissions and improved feed efficiency, particularly under environmental stress. Evidence suggests that methane production is repeatable and genetically influenced, and that rumen microbiome composition is associated with methane emission and feed efficiency, although current evidence does not show that specific microbial taxa directly cause these traits. Integrating host genotype with microbial and metabolic information may therefore improve statistical prediction of methane emissions and residual feed intake, which is not the same as identifying validated biomarkers or showing biological causation. Nevertheless, reliable microbial biomarkers have yet to be established, and validation across breeds, diets, and production environments remains limited. Heat stress adds further complexity by altering rumen fermentation, oxidative status, and microbial community structure, yet integrated omics research under climatic stress remains scarce. Future studies should prioritize longitudinal, multi-breed designs, standardized methane phenotyping, and coordinated multi-omics analyses to develop robust biomarkers for sustainable, low-emission sheep production.
SN - 1422-0067
ER -