Growth performance, nutrients digestibility, and blood metabolites of lambs fed diets supplemented with probiotics during pre- and post-weaning period

Effects of probiotic-supplemented milk replacer on growth, blood biochemistry, fermentation, digestibility, and carcass traits in lambs

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding cow's milk replacer and probiotic supplementation on growth performance, blood metabolites, ruminal fermentation parameters, and nutrient digestibility in male lambs, with ewe's milk serving as the control treatment. Eighteen male lambs with an average initial body weight of 5.0 ± 1.2 kg and age of 15 ± 4 days were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: ewe's milk, cow's milk replacer, and cow's milk replacer with probiotic supplementation. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design. Lambs fed ewe's milk showed significantly higher average daily gain (218.4 g/day) compared to those fed cow's milk replacer (183.7 g/day) or cow's milk replacer with probiotic (209.1 g/day). Similarly, dry matter intake was highest in the ewe's milk group (585.6 g/day) compared to the cow's milk replacer (435.9 g/day) and cow's milk replacer with probiotic (510.5 g/day) groups. Blood glucose levels were higher in the ewe's milk group (75.3 mg/dL) compared to the cow's milk replacer (70.3 mg/dL) and cow's milk replacer with probiotic (72.1 mg/dL) groups. Probiotic supplementation resulted in increased blood urea nitrogen (15.6 mg/dL) and total protein (7.3 g/dL) levels compared to the other groups. Furthermore, the ewe's milk group showed higher apparent dry matter (76.1%) and crude protein (68.5%) digestibility compared to the other treatments. The fecal score on day 30 was higher in the cow's milk replacer group (2.34) compared to the ewe's milk (1.24) and cow's milk replacer with probiotic (1.45) groups. There were no significant differences in the carcass traits of the experimental lambs. In conclusion, based on the results of this study, it seems that feeding cow's milk + probiotic as a replacement for ewe's milk did not significantly affect the performance, carcass traits, and blood and fermentation parameters in infant lambs.

Differential Age-Based Response Induced by a Commercial Probiotic Supplementation in Pastured Goats

The potential benefit of probiotics in small ruminant production systems has largely been unexplored. We evaluated the effect of a goat commercial probiotic on health and performance indicators in pastured goats from birth until 10 months. We randomly allocated 26 newborn nursing goat kids to two groups: a control group that received saline and a treatment group that received a commercial probiotic paste orally. We evaluated select observable health indicators (inappetence, diarrhea, coughing), weight, immunity (IgA, IgG, and innate immune response), total protein, hematocrit (HCT), total lactic acid bacteria (LAB), total coliforms, and prevalence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) primary virulence genes (stx1, stx2, and eae) during the experimental period. The results revealed no significant differences in the health indicators, LAB count, and total E. coli count. Prevalence of stx1 at 1 week of age and both stx1 and stx2 genes 4 months post-weaning was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in probiotic-supplemented goats. Probiotic supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) increased the total protein and IgA 1 month post-supplementation during the pre-weaning period and innate immune markers 2 days post-weaning. The HCT in probiotic-supplemented goats was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 1 and 2 months post-weaning. The growth rate was not affected by probiotic supplementation in pre- and peri-weaned goats but was significantly (P < 0.05) lowered in goats older than 4 months in the supplemented group. In this pastured goat production study, there were mixed responses to a commercial probiotic in healthy goats based on age. The study suggests that early daily probiotic supplementation in pre-weaned pastured goats may have immune stimulation benefits, but in older healthy animals, post-weaning net benefits are unclear and further research is recommended.

Regulation of the growth performance and the gastrointestinal microbiota community by the addition of defective pear fermentation to feed of small-tailed Han sheep

This study investigated the effects of defective pear fermentation (DPF) diets on growth performance and gastrointestinal microbial communities in 60 healthy male small-tailed Han sheep, aged 90 days. The sheep were randomly divided into four groups, each consisting of three replicates with five sheep per replicate. Initially, all groups received a basal diet for seven days during the adaptation stage. Subsequently, for 60 days, group C (control) was fed a basal diet, group X received a basal diet with 2% DPF, group Y had a basal diet with 4% DPF, and group Z was fed a basal diet with 6% DPF. The results indicated that group Y experienced a significant increase in average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI). The addition of DPF significantly elevated the levels of GSH-Px and notably reduced MDA content compared to group C. Analysis of gastrointestinal microbiota showed that groups receiving DPF had increased relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group, norank_f p-2534-18B5_gut_group, Acetitomaculum, Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidota and Ruminococcus_gauvreauii_group, and decreased abundances of Proteobacteria, Prevotella, Staphylococcus, and Psychrobacter compared to group C. Group X exhibited the highest relative abundance of Olsenella, while group Y showed a significant increase in unclassified_f Lachnospiraceae compared to the other groups. Bacterial function prediction indicated that pathways related to energy metabolism were more prevalent in group X and Y. This study preliminarily confirms the feasibility of using DPF as feed additives, providing a foundation for further research and evaluation of DPF's application in animal production.

Supplemental Clostridium butyricum modulates skeletal muscle development and meat quality by shaping the gut microbiota of lambs

This study evaluated the contributions of Clostridium butyricum on skeletal muscle development, gastrointestinal flora and meat quality of lambs. Eighteen Dorper (♂) × Small Tailed Han sheep (♀) crossed ewe lambs of similar weight (27.43 ± 1.94 kg; age, 88 ± 5 days) were divided into two dietary treatments. The control group was fed the basal diet (C group), and the probiotic group was supplemented with C. butyricum on the basis of the C group (2.5 × 108 cfu/g, 5 g/day/lamb; P group) for 90 d. The results showed that dietary C. butyricum elevated growth performance, muscle mass, muscle fiber diameter and cross-sectional area, and decreased the shear force value of meat (P < 0.05). Moreover, C. butyricum supplementation accelerated protein synthesis by regulating the gene expression of IGF-1/Akt/mTOR pathway. We identified 54 differentially expressed proteins that regulated skeletal muscle development through different mechanisms by quantitative proteomics. These proteins were associated with ubiquitin-protease, apoptosis, muscle structure, energy metabolism, heat shock, and oxidative stress. The metagenomics sequencing results showed that Petrimonas at the genus level and Prevotella brevis at the species level in the rumen, while Lachnoclostridium, Alloprevotella and Prevotella at the genus level in the feces, were significantly enriched in the P group. Also, butyric acid and valeric acid levels were elevated in both rumen and feces of the P group. Overall, our results support the idea that C. butyricum could change gastrointestinal flora, and affect skeletal muscle development and meat quality of lambs by modulating gut-muscle axis.

Recent Advances in the Use of Probiotics to Improve Meat Quality of Small Ruminants: A Review

Meat from small ruminants is considered a high quality and delicacy product in many countries. Several benefits have been perceived from probiotics as dietary supplements, such as improved carcass weight, color, tenderness, flavor, muscle fiber structure, water-holding capacity, and healthy fatty acid profile of the meat. Thus, the present review focuses on the effect of probiotics on improving the quality of meat from small ruminants. Though many benefits have been associated with the use of probiotics, the findings of all the considered articles are not always consistent, and the mechanisms behind improving meat quality are not appropriately defined. This variability of findings could be due to the use of different probiotic strains, dosage rates, number of days of experiment, nutrition, breed, age, and health status of the animals. Therefore, future research should emphasize specific strains, optimal dose and days of administration, route, and mechanisms for the specific probiotic strains to host. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the use of probiotics for small ruminants and their impact on meat quality.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum N-1 and Its Synergies with Oligomeric Isomaltose on the Growth Performance and Meat Quality in Hu Sheep

Probiotics have gained tremendous attention as an alternative to antibiotics, while synbiotics may exhibit a greater growth promoting effect than their counterpart probiotics due to the prebiotics' promotion on the growth and reproduction of probiotics. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum N-1 and its synbiotic with oligomeric isomaltose on the growth performance and meat quality of Hu sheep. Hu sheep (0-3 days old) were fed with water, probiotics of N-1, or synbiotics (N-1 and oligomeric isomaltose) daily in three pens for 60 days and regularly evaluated to measure growth performance and collect serum (five lambs per group). Longissimus thoracis (LT) and biceps brachii (BB) muscle tissues were collected for the analysis of pH value, color, texture, nutrients, mineral elements, amino acids, volatile compounds, and antioxidant capacity. The results showed that dietary supplementation of N-1 tended to improve growth performance and meat quality of Hu sheep, while the synergism of N-1 with oligomeric isomaltose significantly improved their growth performance and meat quality (p < 0.05). Both the dietary supplementation of N-1 and synbiotics (p < 0.05) increased the body weight and body size of Hu sheep. Synbiotic treatment reduced serum cholesterol and improved LT fat content by increasing the transcription level of fatty acid synthase to enhance fat deposition in LT, as determined via RT-qPCR analysis. Moreover, synbiotics increased zinc content and improved LT tenderness by decreasing shear force and significantly increased the levels of certain essential (Thr, Phe, and Met) and non-essential (Asp, Ser, and Tyr) amino acids of LT (p < 0.05). Additionally, synbiotics inhibited the production of carbonyl groups and TBARS in LT and thus maintained antioxidant stability. In conclusion, it is recommended that the use of synbiotics in livestock breeding be promoted to improve sheep production and meat quality.

Influence of probiotic supplementation on parasitological parameters in lambs

The control of parasitosis is based on the use of anthelmintics. However, its long-term and indiscriminate use can select populations of resistant nematodes. New alternatives such as probiotics are being studied to solve this problem. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an oral probiotic containing six different bacterial strains and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the blood biochemistry, parasitological, and histological parameters of naturally infected lambs. Forty-two weaned Texel or Ile de France crossbred lambs aged 86.9 ± 8.0 days and weighing 27.4 ± 3.7 kg were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 14 lambs). The control group (CG) was fed a basal diet without probiotic supplementation. The treatment group 1 g (T1G) was fed a basal diet with commercial probiotic supplementation at a dose of 1 g/lamb/day. The treatment group 5 g (T5G) was fed a basal diet with commercial probiotic supplementation at a dose of 5 g/lamb/day. The experimental period was 84 days, where the groups undergo mild natural infection. Every two weeks the hematocrit, total protein, albumin, globulin, fibrinogen, plasma protein, fecal egg count (FEC), and fecal consistency score were evaluated. Twenty lambs were slaughtered for histological evaluation of the rumen and abomasal wall and for counting abomasal nematodes. The area, length, and number of eggs from the recovered Haemonchus contortus female uteri were measured. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test (p ≤ 0.05). The area and length of Haemonchus contortus females from T1G were smaller (p < 0.01) than those of CG and T5G. The number of eggs from the H. contortus female uterus was lower (p < 0.01) in T1G and T5G. Evaluating the incidence of diarrhea, the T1G and T5G groups had a higher prevalence with a 35% and 39% score of zero, respectively (p < 0.05), while the CG group had 22%. All other evaluated parameters showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the groups. The probiotic had a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal health of the weaned lambs through a decrease of the area, length, and the number of eggs of female H. contortus and an improvement in fecal consistency.

A newly developed strain of Enterococcus faecium isolated from fresh dairy products to be used as a probiotic in lactating Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to determine the ability of an isolated strain (EGY_NRC1) or commercial (NCIMB 11181) Enterococcus faecium as a probiotic for lactating cows. Two experiments were conducted: In Experiment 1, the effects of three levels (1, 2, and 3 g/kg diet, DM basis) of isolated and commercial E. faecium on in vitro ruminal fermentation kinetics, gas, methane (CH₄) and nutrient degradability were determined. In Experiment 2, thirty multiparous Holstein cows (633 ± 25.4 kg body weight) with 7 days in milk, were randomly assigned to 3 treatments in a completely randomized design in a 60-day experiment. Cows were fed without any additives (control treatment) or supplemented with 2 g/kg feed daily of E. faecium EGY_NRC1 (contain 1.1 × 10⁹ CFU/g) or commercial E. faecium NCIMB 11181 (contain 2 × 10¹² CFU/g). Diets were prepared to meet cow's nutrient requirements according to NRC recommendations. Probiotic doses were based on the in vitro Experiment 1. Feed intake, digestibility, blood parameters and lactation performance were evaluated. In Experiment 1, the isolated E. faecium linearly and quadratically increased (P < 0.001) in vitro total gas production (TGP), the degradability of dry matter (dDM) and organic matter (dOM) while decreased (P < 0.05) methane (CH₄) percent of TGP, NH₃CH₄ production, and pH. The commercial E. faecium increased TGP and decreased (P < 0.01) CH₄ production, pH and increased the dDM and dOM, short chain fatty acids and ruminal NH₃-N concentration. In Experiment 2, the isolated E. faecium increased (P < 0.01) total tract digestibility of DM, neutral and acid detergent fiber, daily milk production and feed efficiency compared to the control treatment without affecting feed intake and milk composition. Moreover, the isolated E. faecium increased (P < 0.05) the proportion of C18:1 trans-9, C18:2 cis-9-12 and C18:2 trans-10 cis-12. Both isolated and commercial E. faecium improved (P < 0.01) organic matter, crude protein and nonstructural carbohydrates digestibility, increased serum glucose (P = 0.002) and decreased serum cholesterol (P = 0.002). Additionally, both E. faecium strains decreased C23:0 (P = 0.005) in milk. In conclusion, the use of E. faecium (isolated and commercial) at 2 g/kg DM of feed improved feed efficiency and production performance, with superior effects on animal performance from isolated E. faecium compared to the commercial one.

Effects of Dietary Fucoidan Supplementation on Serum Biochemical Parameters, Small Intestinal Barrier Function, and Cecal Microbiota of Weaned Goat Kids

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of fucoidan supplementation on serum biochemical parameters, small intestinal barrier function, and cecal microbiota of weaned goat kids. A total of 60 2-month-old weaned castrated male goat kids (Chuanzhong black goat) were used in this 30-day experiment. The goat kids were randomly divided into four groups: a control group (CON) fed the basal diet, and three other groups supplemented with 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5% fucoidan in the basal diet (denoted as F1, F2, and F3 groups, respectively). The results indicated that dietary fucoidan supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the content of glucose (GLU) as measured on day 15. As measured on day 30, dietary fucoidan increased (p < 0.05) the content of total protein (TP) and decreased the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and supplementation with 0.3% and 0.5% fucoidan decreased (p < 0.05) the activity of LDH. Dietary fucoidan decreased (p < 0.05) the content of D-lactic acid (D-LA) and the activity of diamine oxidase (DAO). Dietary fucoidan increased (p < 0.05) the activity of catalase (CAT) in the duodenum. Dietary 0.3% and 0.5% fucoidan enhanced (p < 0.05) the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the ileum, the activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) in the jejunum and ileum, and the activity of CAT in the ileum. Dietary 0.3% and 0.5% fucoidan reduced the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum and the content of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the duodenum. Dietary fucoidan increased (p < 0.05) the content of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in the duodenum. Supplementation of 0.3% and 0.5% fucoidan upregulated (p < 0.05) the gene expression of ZO-1 and claudin-1 in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, and dietary supplementation of 0.3% and 0.5% fucoidan upregulated (p < 0.05) the gene expression of occludin in the jejunum and ileum. The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing results showed that at the phylum level, dietary fucoidan increased (p < 0.05) the abundance of Bacteroidetes while decreasing (p < 0.05) the abundance of Firmicutes. At the genus level, dietary 0.3% and 0.5% fucoidan increased (p < 0.05) the abundances of Unspecified_Ruminococcaceae, Unspecified_Bacteroidale, Unspecified_Clostridiales, and Akkermansia. In conclusion, dietary fucoidan supplementation had positive effects on intestinal permeability, antioxidant capacity, immunity function, tight junctions, and the cecal microflora balance in weaned goat kids.

Effect of dietary probiotics supplementation on meat quality, volatile flavor compounds, muscle fiber characteristics, and antioxidant capacity in lambs

This study investigated the effects of probiotics on growth performance, meat quality, muscle fiber characteristics, volatile compounds, and antioxidant capacity in lambs. A total of 24 Sunit lambs were randomly allocated into two groups, each consisting of three replicates of four lambs. Throughout the experiment period, the lambs were fed with based diet (CON) and 10 g probiotics/d supplemented diet (PRO). Compared with the CON group, the number of lactic acid bacteria in fecal samples of PRO group was significantly increased (p < .05) and the coliforms were significantly decreased (p < .05). Dietary probiotics supplementation decreased pH_24h, L*, and shear force (p < .05). The muscle fibers were switched from type IIB to type I, with a decrease in the mean cross‐sectional area (CSA) (p < .05) of longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle. Also, probiotics altered the composition of meat volatile flavor compounds, such as nonanal, undecanal, 1‐pentanol, 1‐hexanol, and 2,3‐octanedione. In addition, probiotics increased the total antioxidative capacity (T‐AOC) and catalase (CAT) activity of LT muscle, while it decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p < .05). Overall, these results indicated that probiotics could be used as an effective feed additive by improving meat tenderness and flavor.

Influence of microbial probiotics on ruminant health and nutrition: sources, mode of action and implications

Globally, ruminant production contributes immensely to the supply of the highest quality and quantity of proteins for human consumption, sustenance of livelihoods, and attainment of food security. Nevertheless, the phasing out of antibiotics in animal production has posed a myriad of challenges, including poor growth, performance and nutrient utilization, pathogen colonization, dysbiosis, and food safety issues in ruminants. Probiotics (direct-fed microbials), comprising live microbial strains that confer health and nutritional benefits to the host when administered in appropriate quantities, are emerging as a viable, safe, natural and sustainable alternative to antibiotics. Although the mechanisms of action exerted by probiotics on ruminants are not well elucidated, dietary probiotic dosage to ruminants enhances development and maturation, growth and performance, milk production and composition, nutrient digestibility, feed efficiency, pathogen reduction, and mitigation of gastrointestinal diseases. However, the beneficial response to probiotic supplementation in ruminants is not consistent, being dependent on the microbial strain selected, combination of strains, dose, time and frequency of supplementation, diet, animal breed, physiological stage, husbandry practice, and farm management. Nonetheless, several studies have recently reported beneficial effects of probiotics on ruminant performance, health and production. This review conclusively re-iterates the need for probiotics inclusion for the sustainability of ruminant production. Considering the role that ruminants play in food production and employment, global acceptance of sustainable ruminant production through supplementation with probiotics will undoubtedly ensure food security and food safety for the world. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Role of probiotics in ruminant nutrition as natural modulators of health and productivity of animals in tropical countries: an overview

Given the ever-growing population in the developing countries located in the tropics of Asia, Africa, South America, and the Caribbean, the demand for products of animal origin has increased. Probiotics have proven to be a substantial substitute for antibiotics used in the animal diet and thus gained popularity. Probiotics are live and non-pathogenic microbes commercially utilized as modulators of gut microflora, hence exerting advantageous effects on the health and productivity of animals in tropical countries. Probiotics are mainly derived from a few bacterial (Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Propionibacterium, and Prevotella bryantii) and yeast (Saccharomyces and Aspergillus) species. Numerous studies in tropical animals revealed that probiotic supplementation in a ruminant diet improves the growth of beneficial rumen microbes, thus enhancing nutrient intake and digestibility, milk production, and reproductive and feed efficiency, along with immunomodulation. Furthermore, probiotic applications have proven to minimize adverse environmental consequences, including reduced methane emissions from ruminants' anaerobic fermentation of tropical feedstuffs. However, obtained results were inconsistent due to sources of probiotics, probiotic stability during storage and feeding, dose, feeding frequency, and animal factors including age, health, and nutritional status of the host. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of probiotics by which they exhibit beneficial effects is still not clear. Thus, more definitive research is needed to select the most effective strains of probiotics and their cost-benefit analysis. In this review article, we have briefly explained the impact of feeding probiotics on nutrient intake, digestibility, reproduction, growth efficiency, productivity, and health status of tropical ruminant animals.

Immunomodulation Potential of Probiotics: A Novel Strategy for Improving Livestock Health, Immunity, and Productivity

Over the past decade, the use of probiotics as feed supplements in animal production has increased considerably due to the ban on antibiotic growth promoters in livestock. This review provides an overview of the current situation, limitation, and prospects for probiotic formulations applied to livestock. Recently, the use of probiotics in livestock has been suggested to significantly improve their health, immunity, growth performance, nutritional digestibility, and intestinal microbial balance. Furthermore, it was reported that the use of probiotics in animals was helpful in equilibrating their beneficial microbial population and microbial turnover via stimulating the host immune response through specific secretions and competitive exclusion of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the digestive tract. Recently, there has been great interest in the understanding of probiotics targeted diet and its ability to compete with harmful microbes and acquire their niches. Therefore, the present review explores the most commonly used probiotic formulations in livestock feed and their effect on animal health. In summary, this article provides an in-depth knowledge about the formulation of probiotics as a step toward a better alternative to antibiotic healthy growth strategies.

Effects of a multi-strain probiotic on growth, health, and fecal bacterial flora of neonatal dairy calves

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with a multi-strain probiotic (MSP) product containing of Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus faecalis, and Bacillus cerevisiae on growth, health, and fecal bacterial composition of dairy calves during the first month of life.

METHODS

Forty Holstein calves (24 female and 16 male) at 2 d of age were grouped by sex and date of birth then randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: milk replacer supplementation with 0 g (0MSP), 2 g (2MSP), 4 g (4MSP), and 6 g (6MSP) MSP per calf per day.

RESULTS

Supplementation of MSP did not result in any significant differences in parameters of body measurements of calves during the 30 d period. As the dosage of MSP increased, the average daily gain (p = 0.025) and total dry matter intake (p = 0.020) of calves showed a linear increase. The fecal consistency index of the 2MSP, 4MSP, and 6MSP group calves were lower than that of the 0MSP group calves (p = 0.003). As the dosage of MSP increased, the concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.068) and aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.081) in serum tended to decrease, whereas the concentration of total cholesterol increased quadratically (p = 0.021). The relative abundance of Dorea in feces was lower (p = 0.011) in the 2MSP, 4MSP, and 6MSP group calves than that in the 0MSP group calves. The relative abundance of Dorea (p = 0.001), Faecalibacterium (p = 0.050), and Mitsuokella (p = 0.030) decreased linearly, whereas the relative abundance of Prevotella tended to increase linearly as the dosage of MSP increased (p = 0.058).

CONCLUSION

The MSP product can be used to reduce the diarrhea, improve the performance, and alter the composition of the fecal bacteria in neonatal dairy calves under the commercial conditions.

The Effects of Single or Combined Supplementation of Probiotics and Prebiotics on Growth Performance, Dietary Energetics, Carcass Traits, and Visceral Mass in Lambs Finished under Subtropical Climate Conditions

Simple Summary

Concern about the use of antimicrobial compounds in livestock production has promoted research of “generally recognized as safe” additive alternatives. Probiotics (living microorganisms) and prebiotics (certain type of carbohydrates derived from yeast) have been shown to alleviate the negative effects of stress and boost immunity, thereby enhancing efficiency of energy utilization. In some regions (i.e., tropical and arid zones), livestock experience adverse climatic conditions, including elevated ambient temperature and humidity, which affect their productivity. Supplementation with probiotics and prebiotics may help to alleviate these adverse effects. In the present study, supplemental probiotics or/and prebiotics improved dietary energetic efficiency in lambs finished under subtropical climatic conditions. The combination of probiotics with prebiotics reinforced this positive effect.

Abstract

The aim of this trial was to test the effects of the use of eubiotics (pro- and prebiotics) alone or in combination in the diet of lambs finished under subtropical climate conditions. For this purpose, 40 Pelibuey × Katahdin lambs (29.5 ± 4.8 kg initial live weight) were used in a 93 day growth-performance experiment. Dietary treatments consisted of a cracked corn-based finishing diet supplemented with (1) no eubiotics (control), (2) 3 g of probiotics (live Saccharomyces cerevisiae, SC), (3) 3 g of prebiotics (mannan oligosaccharide plus b-glucans, MOS), and (4) a combination of 1.5 g of SC and 1.5 g of MOS (SC+MOS). Throughout the study, the average temperature humidity index (THI) was 78.60. Compared to controls, supplementation with SC or MOS, alone did not affect average daily gain (ADG), but enhanced feed efficiency by 5.6% and 6.9% (gain-to-feed ratio, G:F) and dietary net energy by 4.6% and 5.9%, respectively. Compared to controls, SC+MOS enhanced ADG (10%), G:F (9.5%), and dietary net energy (7.2%). Lambs fed SC+MOS had also greater ADG, G:F, and dietary net energy compared to lambs fed SC alone. When compared to MOS, the combination enhanced ADG (10.4%, p = 0.04). This effect could be attributed to the increased dry matter intake (7.6%, p = 0.06), as neither G:F nor dietary energy was significantly affected. Compared with controls and SC, supplementation with MOS alone and SC+MOS increased kidney–pelvic–heart fat, while SC supplementation tended (p = 0.08) to reduce 4.1% the relative intestinal mass (as a proportion of empty body weight) when compared to controls. Treatment effects on the other carcass measures were not significant. In the present study, supplemental probiotics and/or prebiotics improved dietary energetic efficiency in lambs finished under subtropical climatic conditions. The combination of probiotics with prebiotics reinforced this positive effect.

Probiotic effect of Bacillus subtilis B-2998D, B-3057D, and Bacillus licheniformis B-2999D complex on sheep and lambs

Objectives:

Probiotics are well documented for their health benefits by developing a balanced intestinal microbiota and boosting immunity. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of a probiotic preparation Enzimsporin^TM (consisting of spore-forming bacteria Bacillus subtilis B-2998D, B-3057D, and Bacillus licheniformis B-2999D) on the biochemical, hematological, immunological parameters, intestinal microbiota, and growth dynamics of sheep and lambs.

Materials and Methods:

Enzimsporin was fed to lambs and sheep at different doses to determine the bacteria’s probiotic effects. Sheep were divided into three groups (six each), which received 0, 1, and 3 gm of Enzimsporin/per head/day, respectively, and two groups of lambs (10 each), who received 0 gm and 1 gm of Enzimsporin/per head/day for 30 days in addition to their regular ration. On day 30, blood samples were collected, followed by the determination of biochemical, hematological, and natural resistance indicators. Fecal samples were examined to determine the intestinal microflora, and animals were weighed daily to determine their growth dynamics.

Results:

Supplementation of probiotics (Enzimsporin^TM) improved the lambs’ body weight gain by 18.8%. Analysis of the clinical parameters showed improvements in the levels of total protein, globulins, and urea by 5.3%, 10.8%, and 6.2%, respectively, in the blood of probiotic-supplemented lambs. Similarly, an increment in the total protein, albumins, and globulins was observed in the sheep with Enzimsporin^TM supplementation. The decrease in bilirubin and cholesterol levels in the blood and increased bactericidal and phagocytic index in the sheep and lambs with probiotic supplementation indicated a positive influence of Enzimsporin^TM on the liver function and natural resistance. Furthermore, an increase in Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and a decrease in the Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, and Yeast in the fecal contents of experimental sheep and lambs indicated the potentiality of Enzimsporin^TM on maintaining good gut health.

Conclusion:

Spore-forming bacteria B. subtilis B-2998D, B-3057D, and B. licheniformis B-2999D can be used in feeding sheep and lambs of 2 months of age to increase body weight gain, improve intestinal microbiota, strengthen the immune system, and maintain normal metabolic processes.

Ruminal Lipopolysaccharides Analysis: Uncharted Waters with Promising Signs

Simple Summary

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a component of the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacterial cell wall made of three covalently linked regions: the O-antigen, the core oligosaccharide, and the endotoxin lipid A moiety, which carries the endotoxic activity of LPS. Among Gram-negative bacteria there is significant structural diversity in the lipid A region. Specifically, the number of lipid A acyl chains directly correlates with the ability to induce cytokine production whereas the hexa-acylated forms usually are the most immunostimulant ones, contrary to penta- or tetra- acylated forms that result in weak inflammatory host responses. Ruminal bacteria are predominantly Gram-negative, and their respective LPS presence has been suggested to be associated with ruminal acidosis, a metabolic disorder of cattle with negative effects on health and production. In the rumen, the most predominant phylum is Bacteroidetes which exhibit weak host immunological response compared to widely used Escherichia coli LPS. This review aims to present accumulated knowledge regarding ruminal LPS, pointing out the differences in ruminal LPS compared to widely known LPS, and introduce hypotheses that could contribute to further understanding and planning strategies to tackle ruminal acidosis.

Abstract

The objective of this review is to present the need for the development of a comprehensive ruminal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extraction, purification and analysis protocol and state hypotheses that could contribute to planning novel strategies against ruminal acidosis. Lipopolysaccharide is an immunostimulatory molecule of Gram-negative bacterial outer membranes and has been reported to contribute to ruminal acidosis in cattle. Bacterial death and lysis are normal processes, and thus LPS is normally present in ruminal fluid. However, ruminal LPS concentration is much greater during subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). Contrary to the widely known LPSs, ruminal LPS seems to be composed of a variety of LPS chemotypes that may interact with each other resulting in an LPS “mixture”. Hypotheses regarding the influence of each specific ruminal bacterial specie to innate immunity during SARA, and the representativeness of the exclusive use of the Escherichia coli LPS to rumen epithelial tissue challenges, could expand our knowledge regarding SARA. In addition, possible correlation between the monomeric Toll-like Receptor 4 (TRL4) and the antagonistic penta-acylated lipid A of LPS could contribute to novel strategies to tackle this nutrition disorder.

Enhancing the Utilization of Palm Leaf Hay Using Bacillus subtilis and Phanerochaete chrysosporium in the Diet of Lambs Under Desert Conditions

The efficiency of the bacterium Bacillus subtilis and white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium on growth performance, blood metabolites, carcass characteristics, meat composition and nutrient digestibility of lambs fed crushed whole palm leaf hay was investigated for 105 d. In Experiment 1 (Growth experiment), twenty-four lambs (29.5 ± 1.25 kg) were divided into four feed-based treatments: (1) concentrate and wheat straw ad libitum (control), (2) palm leaf hay (DPL), (3) palm leaf hay supplemented with 2 g of B. subtilis and P. chrysosporium (DPL2) or (4) palm leaf hay supplemented with 4 g of B. subtilis and P. chrysosporium (DPL4). In Experiment 2 (Digestibility experiment), twelve rams, three from each treatment, were used to study nutrient digestibility using the faecal bag technique. Results of the Experiment 1 showed that the DPL4 showed greater (P=0.049) live-weight gain than the control. The diets containing palm leaf hay showed lower (P=0.001) roughage and total feed intake and higher (P=0.001) feed efficiency than the control. Increased serum total protein, globulin, urea-N, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were observed with the DPL4 (P˂0.05). Additionally, diets containing palm leaf hay showed higher ALT levels than the control. The DPL4 increased the hot carcass weight (P=0.006) and dressing percentage (P=0.036), and the diets supplemented with B. subtilis and P. chrysosporium decreased (P˂0.05) the tail fat and all fat levels compared with the DPL treatment. Results of the Experiment 2 showed that nutrient digestibility was lower (P˂0.05) with the DPL and DPL2 than with the control and DPL4. Compared with the control, nutrient digestibility of DPL4 was not affected. It is concluded that replacement of wheat straw with palm leaf hay did not affect the feed utilization or animal performance of the lambs; however, supplementation with B. subtilis and P. chrysosporium at 4 g/lamb daily enhanced the growth performance, and carcass characteristics without any adverse effects on blood metabolites.

Inclusion of Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Extract in the Diet of Growing Lambs: Effects on Blood Parameters, Animal Performance, and Carcass Traits

Simple Summary

Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a plant widely used for human consumption in Latin America, with important health benefits for people. However, limited knowledge on its effects on animal health and nutrition are available. In this study, we evaluated the inclusion of yerba mate extract at levels up to 4% of the dry matter in the diets of growing lambs and its effects on blood parameters, animal performance, body metrics and carcass traits. Yerba mate extract up to 2% of inclusion had positive effects on feed intake and animal performance; however, greater inclusion rates had negative effects on feed intake and animal performance. Supplementation of yerba mate extract up to 2% also increased white blood cells and globulins, which have been closely related to a better immune response in animals.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate levels of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) extract (YME), as a feed additive in the diets of growing lambs on serum biochemical parameters and hematological indices, animal performance, body metrics and carcass traits. Thirty-six entire (nine per treatment), male growing lambs, weighing 23.8 ± 3.7 kg, were fed the experimental diets which were treatments consisting of increasing levels of YME (0, 1, 2, and 4% inclusion on a dry matter [DM] basis) during an experimental period of 53 days. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, which initial body weight was used as blocking factor and the results were analyzed by orthogonal contrasts (linear, quadratic, and cubic). Yerba mate extract did not change the general health status of the animals; however, inclusions of up to 2% of the extract increased globulins (p = 0.05) and white blood cell count, as segmented neutrophils (p = 0.02) and lymphocytes (p = 0.04). Additionally, inclusion of up to 2% YME increased dry matter intake, final weight gain, total and daily gain (p < 0.05), also tended to increase ribeye area and reduce fat thickness (p < 0.10); however, YME above 2% of inclusion reduced animal productive parameters (p < 0.05). In conclusion, levels up to 2% of YME were beneficial to the health and productive parameters of growing lambs.

METHODOLOGY FOR INTRODUCING THE SYSTEM “CLARC OF ENERGY DISTRIBUTION/CLARC OF PROTEIN TRANSFORMATION” AND A PROCESS FOR CALCULATING BY MEAT PRODUCTION FROM LAMBS AND GOAT KIDS

Introducing a system for recording of the productive effect of energy and protein by their transformation into lamb/kids/small ruminant’s meat. METHODS: The results were obtained in experiment with a 6 male Kalofer longhaired goat kids, slaughtered immediately at weaning at 90 days of age, without a period of intense fattening after weaning (so-called “milky kids”). The kids were rearing in traditional conditions in the real production system. RESULTS: Clarc of energy distribution - CPT (net energy fodder – gross energy meat) - 0.5871 (58.71%) and Clarc of protein transformation – CPT (protein digestible in the intestine fodder – crude protein meat) - 0.1958 (19.58%) have been calculated. CONCLUSIONS: The Clarc of energy distribution and Clarc of protein transformation are indexes for objective calculation of the energy and nutrient transformation between the preliminary and secondary parts of the eco-technical chain “fodder-edible parts of lambs/kids meat”.

Effects of postbiotic supplementation on growth performance, ruminal fermentation and microbial profile, blood metabolite and GHR, IGF-1 and MCT-1 gene expression in post-weaning lambs

Background

Postbiotics have been established as potential feed additive to be used in monogastric such as poultry and swine to enhance health and growth performance. However, information on the postbiotics as feed additive in ruminants is very limited. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of supplementation of postbiotics in newly-weaned lambs on growth performance, digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics and microbial population, blood metabolite and expression of genes related to growth and volatile fatty acid transport across the rumen epithelium.

Results

Postbiotic supplementation increased weight gain, feed intake, nutrient intake and nutrient digestibility of the lambs. No effect on ruminal pH and total VFA, whereas butyrate and ruminal ammonia-N concentration were improved. The lambs fed with postbiotics had higher blood total protein, urea nitrogen and glucose. However, no difference was observed in blood triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Postbiotics increased the population of fibre degrading bacteria but decreased total protozoa and methanogens in rumen. Postbiotics increased the mRNA expression of hepatic IGF-1 and ruminal MCT-1.

Conclusions

The inclusion of postbiotics from L. plantarum RG14 in newly-weaned lambs improved growth performance, nutrient intake and nutrient digestibility reflected from better rumen fermentation and microbial parameters, blood metabolites and upregulation of growth and nutrient intake genes in the post-weaning lambs.

Effects of supplementation of Bacillus spp. on blood metabolites, antioxidant status, and gene expression pattern of selective cytokines in growing Barki lambs

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated the potential immune-enhancing effects in addition to anti-oxidative stress properties of commercially accessible Bacillus subtilis supplementation in Barki lambs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty apparently healthy weaned Barki lambs were used in this study and distributed randomly into two experimental groups: Negative control group, received control basal diet without any feed supplements and a supplemented group, received control basal diet supplemented with water added to commercially accessible bacilli at 1 gm/l/day for 30 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected from each lamb before starting the experiment (T0), 2 weeks (T15), and 4 weeks (T30) post-supplementation for serum biochemical analyses, total leucocytes and lymphocytes count, and real-time polymerase chain reaction assays.

RESULTS

The supplemented group showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the total number of leukocytes and the number of lymphocytes, lysozyme activity, reduced glutathione, total antioxidant capacity with a significantly lower malondialdehyde values at T30 and significantly higher levels (p < 0.05) of serum catalase and nitric oxide at T15 as compared with control ones. B. subtilis elicited maximal up-regulation of most of the studied genes compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

The results herein suggest that B. subtilis could be used as useful nutritional supplements to support the immune system in healthy lambs.

Growth performance and health of nursing lambs supplemented with inulin and Lactobacillus casei

OBJECTIVE

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of Agave tequilana inulin and Lactobacillus casei (L. casei) on growth performace, hematological variables, serum metabolites, and total coliforms in nursing lambs.

METHODS

The experimental design was completely randomized; treatments were T1, control (pre-starter concentrate, PC), T2: T1+2% inulin, and T3: T1+2% inulin+L. casei; treatments were compared with Tukey test (p≤0.05); and 45 new born Kathadin×Dorset lambs (4.8±0.8 kg birth weight) were the experimental units (15 per treatment). The variables were daily weight gain (DWG), dry matter intake and diarrheas incidence (%) during 56 d. Twenty-four hours after birth and at the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to evaluate hematological variables and serum metabolites. Besides, the populations of total coliforms and lactobacilli were estimated in fecal samples.

RESULTS

Addition of agave inulin and L. casei increased (p≤0.05) DWG 356, 384, and 415 g/d, weaning weight 24.92, 26.18, and 28.07 kg, as well as lactobacilli population 5.79, 6.32, and 6.48 Log10 cfu/g, for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Lambs fed L. casei had decreased (p≤0.05) populations of total coliforms (T1 = 6.18, T2 = 5.77, and T3 = 5.07 Log10 cfu/g), diarrheas incidence (T1 = 11.67%, T2 = 8.33%, and T3 = 5.0%), and serum cholesterol concentration (11% in T2 and 13% in T3, compared to control).

CONCLUSION

The combination of Agave tequilana inulin and L. casei increases weight gain and improves intestinal health by reducing coliforms and diarrheas incidence in Katahdin× Dorset lambs during the pre-weaning period.

Benefits and Inputs From Lactic Acid Bacteria and Their Bacteriocins as Alternatives to Antibiotic Growth Promoters During Food-Animal Production

Resistance to antibiotics is escalating and threatening humans and animals worldwide. Different countries have legislated or promoted the ban of antibiotics as growth promoters in livestock and aquaculture to reduce this phenomenon. Therefore, to improve animal growth and reproduction performance and to control multiple bacterial infections, there is a potential to use probiotics as non-antibiotic growth promoters. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) offer various advantages as potential probiotics and can be considered as alternatives to antibiotics during food-animal production. LAB are safe microorganisms with abilities to produce different inhibitory compounds such as bacteriocins, organic acids as lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, diacetyl, and carbon dioxide. LAB can inhibit harmful microorganisms with their arsenal, or through competitive exclusion mechanism based on competition for binding sites and nutrients. LAB endowed with specific enzymatic functions (amylase, protease…) can improve nutrients acquisition as well as animal immune system stimulation. This review aimed at underlining the benefits and inputs from LAB as potential alternatives to antibiotics in poultry, pigs, ruminants, and aquaculture production.

Effects and immune responses of probiotic treatment in ruminants

Gut microbial colonization and establishment are vital to ruminant health and production. This review article focuses on current knowledge and methods used to understand and manipulate the gut microbial community in ruminant animals, with a special focus on probiotics treatment. This review highlights the most promising of studies in this area, including gut microbial colonization and establishment, effect of gastrointestinal tract microbial community on host mucosal innate immune function, impact of feeding strategies on gut microbial community, current probiotic treatments in ruminants, methods to manipulate the gut microbiota and associated antimicrobial compounds, and models and cell lines used in understanding the host immune response to probiotic treatments. As a lot of work in this area was done in humans and mice, this review article also includes up-to-date knowledge from relevant studies in human and mouse models. This review is a useful resource for scientists working in the areas of ruminant nutrition and health, and to researchers investigating the microbial ecology and its relation to animal health.

Mixed organic acids improve nutrients digestibility, volatile fatty acids composition and intestinal microbiota in growing-finishing pigs fed high-fiber diet

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate effects of mixed organic acids (MOA) on nutrient digestibility, volatile fatty acids composition and intestinal microbiota in growing-finishing pigs fed high wheat bran diet.

Methods

Six crossbred barrows (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire), with an average body weight 78.8±4.21 kg, fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum, were allotted to a double 3×3 Latin square design with 3 periods and 3 diets. Each period consisted of a 5-d adjustment period followed by a 2-d total collection of feces and then a 2-d collection of ileal digesta. The dietary treatments included a corn-soybean-wheat bran basal diet (CTR), mixed organic acid 1 diet (MOA1; CTR+3,000 mg/kg OA1), mixed organic acid 2 diet (MOA2; CTR+2,000 mg/kg OA2).

Results

Pigs fed MOA (MOA1 or MOA2) showed improved (p<0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy, dry matter and organic matter, and pigs fed MOA2 had increased (p<0.05) ATTD of neutral detergent fiber compared to CTR. Dietary MOA supplementation decreased (p<0.05) pH value, and improved (p<0.01) concentrations of lactic acid and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) in ileum compared to CTR. Pigs fed MOA showed higher (p<0.05) concentration of acetic acid, and lower (p<0.05) content of formic acid in feces compared to CTR. Pigs fed MOA1 had increased (p<0.05) concentration of TVFA and butyric acid in feces. Pigs fed MOA1 showed higher concentration of Lactobacillus and lower concentration of Escherichia in feces compared to CTR.

Conclusion

Dietary supplementation of MOA 1 or 2 could improve nutrients digestibility, TVFA concentration and intestinal flora in growing-finishing pigs fed high fiber diet.

Use of probiotics and botanical extracts to improve ruminant production in the tropics: A review

Ruminant production, especially in the tropics and developing countries suffers a setback when compared with the temperate and developed countries, which is attributable to the kinds of available feed resources in the region of production. In the tropics, ruminants are restricted to grazing on low-quality forages, crop residues and agro-industrial by-products with very little or no concentrate diets, which adversely affect the animals in exhibiting their full production potential. Considering this fact, there is an increasing interest in improving the digestibility of these feed resources. In recent years, researchers have explored several methods to enhance the functions of rumen microflora, improve digestion and fermentation processes, as well as increase bioavailability and utilization of nutrients through feed supplementation. This review aims to explore the positive effects of supplementation of ruminant diets with probiotics or botanical extracts and their metabolites on the productivity of the animals. Moreover, the functions of these non-pathogenic and non-toxic live microorganisms (probiotics) and plant biologically active compounds (botanical extract) are explored because of the ban on non-therapeutic use of antibiotics as growth promoters coupled with the critical preference of consumers to high quality and safe animal products. It has been reported that these alternative supplemental products have a beneficial impact on both animal health and productivity, which is affecting stabilization of rumen environment, inhibition of pathogenic bacteria proliferation in gastro-intestinal tract, modulation of immune response, increase in fibre degradation and fermentation, nutrients availability and utilization, animal growth performance and milk production, among others. However, long-term in vivo studies are still required to determine the synergetic effects of these 2 safe supplemental products.

Combined Use of C. butyricum Sx-01 and L. salivarius C-1-3 Improves Intestinal Health and Reduces the Amount of Lipids in Serum via Modulation of Gut Microbiota in Mice

The study was conducted to investigate whether combined use of C. butyricum Sx-01 and L. salivarius C-1-3 could improve the intestinal health and reduce the lipid levels in sera of mice and whether these benefits were related to regulating the intestinal microflora. Eighty Kunming male mice were divided into four groups with five replicates per group and four mice per replicate. Mice in the control group were administrated with 0.2 mL normal saline; mice in three experimental groups were daily orally administrated with 4 × 10⁸ cfu of L. salivarius, 4 × 10⁸ cfu of C. butyricum, and a combination thereof (2 × 10⁸ cfu of L. salivarius, and 2 × 10⁸ cfu of C. butyricum), respectively. The experiment lasted for 14 days. The results showed that the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed/gain (F/G) ratio of growing mice underwent no significant changes (p > 0.05); however, the average daily gain (ADG) tended to increase over short periods of time. The activities of SOD and GSH-Px in serum in the combination group were significantly increased (p < 0.05); The triglyceride, and total cholesterol, contents in serum in the combined treatment group were significantly decreased (p < 0.05); The total volatile fatty acids and butyric acid in faecal matter of mice in the experimental groups were all significantly increased at 14 days (p < 0.05); The length of villi, and the mucosal thickness of colon and caecum (p < 0.05) were significantly improved; The relative abundance of some bacteria with antioxidant capacity or decomposing cholesterol capacity or butyrate producing capacity was increased, while the relative abundance of some pathogenic bacteria was decreased in the colon. Furthermore, our results showed that the beneficial effects of the combined use of the two strains was higher than that of single use. Overall, the results demonstrated that the combined use of C. butyricum Sx-01 and L. salivarius C-1-3 can significantly improve intestinal health and reduce the amount of lipids in sera of mice. The reason for these effects might be that besides their own probiotic effects, combined use of the two strains could regulate the intestinal microflora.