Multi-omics analysis links rumen bacterial communities to sheep fertility across reproductive stages (microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com)

• No alpha-diversity difference but stage-specific community structure between high and low fertility sheep
• Stage-specific enrichment of bacteria: pregnancy (Asaia bogorensis, Lactobacillus amylolyticus), lactation (Rhizobium gallicum, Aeromonas caviae), estrus (Pseudomonas mandelii, Salmonella enterica)
• Core plasma metabolites in high-fertility sheep: inositol, lysophosphatidylcholines, tyramine, sphingosine-1-phosphate

"A multi-omics study integrating metagenomics and metabolomics investigated the rumen microbiome's role in sheep reproductive performance across pregnancy, lactation, and estrus. No difference in alpha-diversity was found between high and low litter size groups, but stage-specific community structures were identified. Key bacteria enriched in high-fertility sheep included Asaia bogorensis during pregnancy and multiple species during lactation and estrus. Plasma metabolomics revealed elevated inositol, lysophosphatidylcholines, tyramine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate in high-fertility animals. The findings suggest rumen microbiota influence fertility via metabolic axes and provide a basis for nutritional interventions."