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Chen P, Li S, Zheng L, Wang Z, He Y, Liu K, Li M, Wang Y, Shaukat A, Li S, Huang S, Jian F. Effects of Radix dichroae extract supplementation on growth performance, oocysts output and gut microbiota in growing lambs with coccidiosis. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:279-290. [PMID: 37667094 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10209-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Coccidiosis is an intestinal protozoan disease of sheep, that causes substantial economic losses in the industry due to its intestinal protozoan origins. Many anti-protozoan drugs including ionophores, triazines, and sulfonamides have been widely used to treat sheep coccidiosis. Still, anticoccidial resistance and drug residues in edible tissues have prompted an urgent search for alternatives. In this study, the anti-coccidial effectiveness of the Radix dichroae extract was compared to that of the conventional anti-coccidial drug diclazuril. Here, eighteen 45-day-old lambs naturally-infected with Eimeria spp. were randomly allocated in three groups: control group, Radix dichroae extract group and diclazuril group. The results showed that the body weight gain (BWG) during the treatment and withdrawal periods was considerably improved in the coccidiosis-infected sheep treated with Radix dichroae extract and diclazuril compared to the control group, respectively. Additionally, the Radix dichroae extract and diclazuril had fewer oocysts per gram (OPG) than the control group, showing similar anti-coccidial effects on days 14, 21, 28, 35 and 78, respectively. Furthermore, Radix dichroae extract and diclazuril treatment altered the structure and composition of gut microbiota, promoting the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota, Firmicutes, Alistipes, and Bifidobacterium, while decreasing the abundance of Bacteroidota, Marinilaceae, Helicobacteraceae, and Prevotella. Moreover, Spearman's correlation analysis further revealed a correlation between the OPG and BWG and gut microorganisms. Collectively, the results indicated that Radix dichroae extract had similar anti-coccidial effects as diclazuril, and could regulate gut microbiota balance in growing lambs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Shijie Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Lijun Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Zhanming Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Yanfeng He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Kaili Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Manman Li
- Henan Zhongyang Animal Husbandry Co. LTD, Kaifeng, 475317, China
| | - Yingmin Wang
- Henan Zhongyang Animal Husbandry Co. LTD, Kaifeng, 475317, China
| | - Aftab Shaukat
- National Center for International Research on Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction (NCIRAGBR), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Senyang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Shucheng Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Research and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Fuchun Jian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
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Salmo R, Viña C, Zubiria I, Malagón JÁH, Sanchís JM, Cazapal C, Arias MS, Sánchez-Andrade R, Paz-Silva A. Formulating Parasiticidal Fungi in Dried Edible Gelatins to Reduce the Risk of Infection by Trichuris sp. among Continuous Grazing Bison. Pathogens 2024; 13:82. [PMID: 38251389 PMCID: PMC10818377 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Control of infection by gastrointestinal nematodes remains a big problem in ruminants under continuous grazing. For the purpose of decreasing the risk of infection by Trichuris sp. in captive bison (Bison bison) always maintained in the same plot, dried gelatins having ≥106 chlamydospores of both Mucor circinelloides and Duddingtonia flagrans were given to them for one week, and at the end, fecal samples (FF) collected each week for four weeks were analyzed immediately. Feces taken one week prior to gelatin administration served as controls (CF). Eggs of Trichuris sp. were sorted into non-viable and viable, then classified into viable undeveloped (VU), viable with cellular development (VCD), or viable infective (VI). Ovistatic and ovicidal effects were determined throughout the study. In FF, viability of Trichuris eggs decreased between 9% (first week) and 57% (fourth week), egg development was delayed during the first two weeks, and VI percentages were significantly lower than in CF (p = 0.001). It is concluded that the preparation of gelatins with chlamydospores of parasiticidal fungi and their subsequent dehydration offer an edible formulation that is ready to use, stress-free to supply, and easy to store, as well as being well-accepted by ruminants and highly efficient to reduce the risk of Trichuris sp. infection among animals under continuous grazing regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami Salmo
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
| | - Cándido Viña
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
| | - Izaro Zubiria
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
| | - José Ángel Hernández Malagón
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
| | - Jaime M. Sanchís
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary, University of “La República” (Regional Litoral Norte), Salto 50000, Uruguay;
| | - Cristiana Cazapal
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
| | - María Sol Arias
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
| | - Rita Sánchez-Andrade
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
| | - Adolfo Paz-Silva
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (R.S.); (C.V.); (I.Z.); (J.Á.H.M.); (C.C.); (R.S.-A.)
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Saeed Z, Alkheraije KA. Botanicals: A promising approach for controlling cecal coccidiosis in poultry. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1157633. [PMID: 37180056 PMCID: PMC10168295 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1157633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Avian species have long struggled with the problem of coccidiosis, a disease that affects various parts of the intestine, including the anterior gut, midgut, and hindgut. Among different types of coccidiosis, cecal coccidiosis is particularly dangerous to avian species. Chickens and turkeys are commercial flocks; thus, their parasites have remained critical due to their economic importance. High rates of mortality and morbidity are observed in both chickens and turkeys due to cecal coccidiosis. Coccidiostats and coccidiocidal chemicals have traditionally been added to feed and water to control coccidiosis. However, after the EU banned their use because of issues of resistance and public health, alternative methods are being explored. Vaccines are also being used, but their efficacy and cost-effectiveness remain as challenges. Researchers are attempting to find alternatives, and among the alternatives, botanicals are a promising choice. Botanicals contain multiple active compounds such as phenolics, saponins, terpenes, sulfur compounds, etc., which can kill sporozoites and oocysts and stop the replication of Eimeria. These botanicals are primarily used as anticoccidials due to their antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities. Because of the medicinal properties of botanicals, some commercial products have also been developed. However, further research is needed to confirm their pharmacological effects, mechanisms of action, and methods of concentrated preparation. In this review, an attempt has been made to summarize the plants that have the potential to act as anticoccidials and to explain the mode of action of different compounds found within them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohaib Saeed
- Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Khalid A. Alkheraije
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
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Gazzonis AL, Panseri S, Pavlovic R, Zanzani SA, Chiesa L, Rapetti L, Battelli M, Villa L, Manfredi MT. In Vitro Evaluations and Comparison of the Efficacy of Two Commercial Products Containing Condensed Tannins and of Saifoin ( Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) Hay against Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Goats. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030547. [PMID: 36766435 PMCID: PMC9913204 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) is a limiting health factor for dairy goats, and the integration of the diet with fodder containing condensed tannins (CT) is becoming increasingly important to control GINs. To preliminary evaluate their potential role as part of GIN control in goat breeding, the in vitro anthelmintic efficacy of the CTs of Silvafeed BYPRO (SBP), Silvafeed Q powder (SQ), and sainfoin hay (SH) was evaluated, and the untargeted metabolomics profiling of the selected formulations was performed. CTs were extracted in water and in ethanol, their concentration was determined, and their chemical characterization was conducted using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) coupled to High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) platform. The in vitro anthelmintic activity of the extracts was evaluated using the Eggs Hatch Test (EHT) and the Larval Migration Inhibition Test (LMIT) using different extract concentrations (150, 300, 600, and 1200 μg/mL). The metabolomic profile of the ethanol extract showed a high number of flavonoids, while the water extract showed higher levels of hydrolysable tannins. The ethanol extracts were effective on both eggs hatching and larvae migration at low concentrations (150 μg/mL) for the three analyzed samples, while the water extracts showed more varied results: SH showed the greatest ovicidal efficacy (concentration 150 μg/mL, %IH = 40.9), while SBP and SQ were more effective against the larvae migration (concentration 600 μg/mL, %LMI = 69.7% and 88%), respectively. The integration of CT-rich fodder into the diet may be considered for the control of GIN infection in goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia L. Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Sara Panseri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Radmila Pavlovic
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility (ProMeFa), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Sergio A. Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Luca Chiesa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Luca Rapetti
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences—Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Battelli
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences—Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Sujani S, dos Reis BR, Ellett MD, Schramm HH, Helm ET, White RR. Finisher lamb growth and rumen fermentation responses to the plane of nutrition and naturally occurring coccidiosis. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1184557. [PMID: 37143499 PMCID: PMC10151569 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1184557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to investigate the interaction of plane of nutrition and naturally occurring coccidiosis on finisher lamb growth performance, FAMACHA score, and rumen volatile fatty acid profile. The study included 30 Suffolk, Dorset or Suffolk x Dorset lambs and were divided into 2 groups based on their initial body weight and assigned to 2 feeding groups differing in dietary energy intake to create lambs representing divergent growth curves due to differing nutritional management. Lambs with naturally occurring coccidiosis and healthy lambs were present in both feeding groups making a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, (a) high plane of nutrition (HPN) lambs with no clinical coccidiosis diagnosis (HPNH), (b) HPN lambs with clinical coccidiosis (HPNC), (c) low plane of nutrition (LPN) lambs with no clinical coccidiosis diagnosis (LPNH), (d) LPN lambs with clinical coccidiosis (LPNC). Body weight and FAMACHA scores were recorded once every 2 weeks. On d 65 of feeding, lambs were slaughtered, and rumen fluid samples were collected and analyzed for volatile fatty acid concentrations. All response variables were analyzed statistically using a linear mixed effects model with fixed effects for plane of nutrition, health status, and a random effect for initial body weight nested within the pen. The total and average weight gain were not associated with planes of nutrition, health status, or the interaction. Health status had an impact on FAMACHA© score (P = 0.047) and concentration of isobutyrate (P = 0.037) and tended to affect total VFA (P = 0.085) and acetate (P = 0.071) concentrations. The interaction between the plane of nutrition and the health status tended to affect butyrate concentration (P = 0.058). These data support the conclusion that coccidiosis infection impacted on rumen fermentation in a manner independent of the plane of nutrition; however, the translation of these rumen level impacts did not translate to the production responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sathya Sujani
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | | | - Mark D. Ellett
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Holly H. Schramm
- Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Emma T. Helm
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Robin R. White
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- *Correspondence: Robin R. White
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Bangoura B, Bhuiya MAI, Kilpatrick M. Eimeria infections in domestic and wild ruminants with reference to control options in domestic ruminants. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2207-2232. [PMID: 35680677 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07564-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Eimeria infections are commonly seen in a variety of mammalian hosts. This genus of unicellular sporozoan parasites causes significant disease (coccidiosis) in different livestock species leading to economic losses for agricultural producers. Especially the production of cattle, sheep, and goat is strongly dependent on efficient coccidiosis control. However, many other livestock hosts like, e.g., camelids, bison, rabbits, and guinea pigs may benefit from reduced parasite transmission and targeted control measures as well. Besides livestock, also wildlife and pet animals may be affected by Eimeria infections resulting in clinical or subclinical coccidiosis. Wildlife herd health is crucial to conservation efforts, and Eimeria species are a prevalent pathogen in multiple mammalian wildlife species. This review aims to highlight the epidemiology of mammalian Eimeria infections in both wild and domestic ruminants, including host specificity, transmission, survival of environmental oocysts, occurrence, and risk factors for infection. Understanding general drivers of Eimeria infection may support adequate livestock and wildlife management. Furthermore, control options for livestock with reference to management factors, drug application, and alternative approaches are discussed. The goal of Eimeria control should be to reduce pathogen transmission in different host species and to improve sustainable livestock production. Controlling Eimeria infections in livestock is important considering both their animal welfare impact and their high economic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Bangoura
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82070, USA.
| | - Md Ashraful Islam Bhuiya
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82070, USA
| | - Michelle Kilpatrick
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82070, USA
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Hoste H, Meza-OCampos G, Marchand S, Sotiraki S, Sarasti K, Blomstrand BM, Williams AR, Thamsborg SM, Athanasiadou S, Enemark HL, Torres Acosta JF, Mancilla-Montelongo G, Castro CS, Costa-Junior LM, Louvandini H, Sousa DM, Salminen JP, Karonen M, Engstrom M, Charlier J, Niderkorn V, Morgan ER. Use of agro-industrial by-products containing tannins for the integrated control of gastrointestinal nematodes in ruminants. Parasite 2022; 29:10. [PMID: 35225785 PMCID: PMC8884022 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2022010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have illustrated that different bioactive legume fodders containing condensed tannins might represent one of the options for integrated sustainable control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in ruminants, which may help address the worldwide development of resistance to synthetic anthelmintics. More recently, impetus has been given to assess the potential antiparasitic activity of less conventional resources, represented by different agro-industrial by-products (AIBPs). This review presents in vitro and in vivo results obtained with a range of tannin-containing AIBPs of various geographical and botanical origins, namely AIBP of nuts, temperate and tropical barks, carob, coffee and cocoa. They tend to confirm the “proof of concept” for their antiparasitic effects and also for other aspects of ruminant production in an agro-ecological context. Socio-economic aspects of the exploitation of such non-conventional resources are also discussed as potential models of the circular economy, by using waste. The different modes of use of these resources are presented in this review, as well as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analyses to illustrate the advantages and limitations of on-farm use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Hoste
- Université de Toulouse, UMR 1225 IHAP INRAE/ENVT 31076 Toulouse France
- Corresponding author:
| | | | - Sarah Marchand
- Université de Toulouse, UMR 1225 IHAP INRAE/ENVT 31076 Toulouse France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Juan Felipe Torres Acosta
- CONACYT-Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil km 15.5 Mérida Yucatán 97000 México
| | - Gabriella Mancilla-Montelongo
- CONACYT-Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil km 15.5 Mérida Yucatán 97000 México
| | - Carlos Sandoval Castro
- CONACYT-Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil km 15.5 Mérida Yucatán 97000 México
| | - Livio M. Costa-Junior
- Laboratório de Controle de Parasitos, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis Maranhão MA 65080-805 Brazil
| | - Helder Louvandini
- Laboratório de Nutrição Animal, Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Universidade de São Paulo 13400-970 Piracicaba São Paulo Brazil
| | - Dauana Mesquita Sousa
- Laboratório de Controle de Parasitos, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis Maranhão MA 65080-805 Brazil
| | | | - Maarit Karonen
- Natural Chemistry Research Group, University of Turku 20014 Turku Finland
| | - Marika Engstrom
- Natural Chemistry Research Group, University of Turku 20014 Turku Finland
| | | | - Vincent Niderkorn
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores 63122 Saint-Genes Champanelle France
| | - Eric R. Morgan
- School of Biological Sciences, Queens University, Belfast BT9 5DL Northern Ireland United Kingdom
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Tedeschi LO, Muir JP, Naumann HD, Norris AB, Ramírez-Restrepo CA, Mertens-Talcott SU. Nutritional Aspects of Ecologically Relevant Phytochemicals in Ruminant Production. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:628445. [PMID: 33748210 PMCID: PMC7973208 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.628445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This review provides an update of ecologically relevant phytochemicals for ruminant production, focusing on their contribution to advancing nutrition. Phytochemicals embody a broad spectrum of chemical components that influence resource competence and biological advantage in determining plant species' distribution and density in different ecosystems. These natural compounds also often act as plant defensive chemicals against predatorial microbes, insects, and herbivores. They may modulate or exacerbate microbial transactions in the gastrointestinal tract and physiological responses in ruminant microbiomes. To harness their production-enhancing characteristics, phytochemicals have been actively researched as feed additives to manipulate ruminal fermentation and establish other phytochemoprophylactic (prevent animal diseases) and phytochemotherapeutic (treat animal diseases) roles. However, phytochemical-host interactions, the exact mechanism of action, and their effects require more profound elucidation to provide definitive recommendations for ruminant production. The majority of phytochemicals of nutritional and pharmacological interest are typically classified as flavonoids (9%), terpenoids (55%), and alkaloids (36%). Within flavonoids, polyphenolics (e.g., hydrolyzable and condensed tannins) have many benefits to ruminants, including reducing methane (CH4) emission, gastrointestinal nematode parasitism, and ruminal proteolysis. Within terpenoids, saponins and essential oils also mitigate CH4 emission, but triterpenoid saponins have rich biochemical structures with many clinical benefits in humans. The anti-methanogenic property in ruminants is variable because of the simultaneous targeting of several physiological pathways. This may explain saponin-containing forages' relative safety for long-term use and describe associated molecular interactions on all ruminant metabolism phases. Alkaloids are N-containing compounds with vast pharmacological properties currently used to treat humans, but their phytochemical usage as feed additives in ruminants has yet to be exploited as they may act as ghost compounds alongside other phytochemicals of known importance. We discussed strategic recommendations for phytochemicals to support sustainable ruminant production, such as replacements for antibiotics and anthelmintics. Topics that merit further examination are discussed and include the role of fresh forages vis-à-vis processed feeds in confined ruminant operations. Applications and benefits of phytochemicals to humankind are yet to be fully understood or utilized. Scientific explorations have provided promising results, pending thorough vetting before primetime use, such that academic and commercial interests in the technology are fully adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis O. Tedeschi
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - James P. Muir
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Stephenville, TX, United States
| | - Harley D. Naumann
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Aaron B. Norris
- Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
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