Changes in macrophage function are crucial contributors to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the role of macrophages in the development of liver fibrosis in dairy cows with ketosis remains unclear. This study integrated proteomics and cytokine array approach to identify the multifactorial and multicellular interaction effects driving liver fibrosis in dairy cows with ketosis and analyze the mechanism by which the proinflammatory shift in macrophages contributes to liver fibrosis. Histopathological analysis revealed liver injury, including severe steatosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells, an increase in lipid deposition, and a decrease in glycogen expression in ketotic cows. Moreover, the number of mitochondria considerably increased in hepatocytes. The activation of the dynamin-related protein 1/mitochondrial fission factor (DRP1/MFF) pathway induced excessive mitochondrial fission, and the inhibition of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1 (Nrf2/HO-1) pathway led to the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Proteomic analysis revealed the activation of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related functions and the NF-κB pathway in the liver, whereas cytokine array analysis revealed that the cytokine network was dysregulated. The accumulation of ROS triggered NF-κB nuclear translocation, inducing a proinflammatory shift in macrophages and liver inflammation. M1 polarization of macrophages promotes the release of proinflammatory mediators, which stimulated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, leading to ECM deposition, ultimately contributing to liver fibrosis. To summarize, our study revealed the multifactorial and multicellular interaction effects driving liver fibrosis. Our results preliminarily showed that increased mitochondrial fission and inhibition of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway are key factors in activating macrophages, which can lead to liver fibrosis in dairy cows with ketosis.
{"title":"Proteomics and cytokine array jointly reveal the role of macrophage proinflammatory shift in liver fibrosis in dairy cows with ketosis","authors":"Shiquan Zhu, Moli Li, Yihui Huo, Qiqi Cao, Zhaoju Deng, Kui Li, Yuxin He, Jian Gao, Chuang Xu","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01219-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01219-4","url":null,"abstract":"Changes in macrophage function are crucial contributors to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the role of macrophages in the development of liver fibrosis in dairy cows with ketosis remains unclear. This study integrated proteomics and cytokine array approach to identify the multifactorial and multicellular interaction effects driving liver fibrosis in dairy cows with ketosis and analyze the mechanism by which the proinflammatory shift in macrophages contributes to liver fibrosis. Histopathological analysis revealed liver injury, including severe steatosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells, an increase in lipid deposition, and a decrease in glycogen expression in ketotic cows. Moreover, the number of mitochondria considerably increased in hepatocytes. The activation of the dynamin-related protein 1/mitochondrial fission factor (DRP1/MFF) pathway induced excessive mitochondrial fission, and the inhibition of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1 (Nrf2/HO-1) pathway led to the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Proteomic analysis revealed the activation of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related functions and the NF-κB pathway in the liver, whereas cytokine array analysis revealed that the cytokine network was dysregulated. The accumulation of ROS triggered NF-κB nuclear translocation, inducing a proinflammatory shift in macrophages and liver inflammation. M1 polarization of macrophages promotes the release of proinflammatory mediators, which stimulated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, leading to ECM deposition, ultimately contributing to liver fibrosis. To summarize, our study revealed the multifactorial and multicellular interaction effects driving liver fibrosis. Our results preliminarily showed that increased mitochondrial fission and inhibition of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway are key factors in activating macrophages, which can lead to liver fibrosis in dairy cows with ketosis.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144578467","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-07DOI: 10.1186/s40104-025-01226-5
Igor Machado Ferreira, Hilario Cuquetto Mantovani, Fiorella Viquez-Umana, Yury Tatiana Granja-Salcedo, Luiz Fernando Costa e Silva, Anne Koontz, Vaughn Holder, James Eugene Pettigrew, Arlan Araújo Rodrigues, Aline Naime Rodrigues, Mateus José Inácio de Abreu, Saulo Teixeira Rodrigues de Almeida, Pedro Marcus Pereira Vidigal, Gustavo Rezende Siqueira, Flávio Dutra de Resende
The environmental impact of feedlot operations is a growing concern, as cattle excrete a significant portion of feed nutrients as waste. Exogenous feed enzymes (EFE) have gained interest for their potential to enhance feed efficiency in ruminants by improving nutrient digestion. However, EFE effects on ruminal parameters have shown inconsistencies, with limited research on nitrogen metabolism and rumen microbiome impacts. Moreover, the synergistic effects of combining different EFEs remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of individual and combined EFE products in feedlot diets on ruminal fermentation parameters, nitrogen metabolism, and ruminal microbial communities. Ten rumen-cannulated Nellore steers [543 ± 28.6 kg of body weight (BW)] were distributed in a replicated Latin-square design (5 × 5) in individual pens. Treatments included: control (CON, no EFE supplementation), amylase [AML, 0.5 g/kg of diet dry matter (DM)], xylanase (FBL, 0.9 g/kg DM), half dose combination (HD, 0.25 g of AML + 0.45 g of FBL/kg of DM), and full dose combination (FD, 0.5 g of AML + 0.90 g of FBL/kg of DM). The experimental period lasted 19 d and included total urine and feces collection (d 15 to 18) and rumen fluid sampling (d 19) at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 h post-feeding for ammonia, volatile fatty acids (VFA), pH and microbiome analysis. EFE supplemented animals exhibited lower ruminal ammonia concentrations (P = 0.040), and higher acetate proportions (P < 0.001) compared to the control group. EFE supplementation resulted in reduced nitrogen (N) excretion in feces (P = 0.049) and urine (P = 0.036), contributing to improved N retention and efficiency (P = 0.045). Additionally, EFE products induced shifts in various microbial taxa at family and genera levels (P ≤ 0.10), which may be associated with the changes observed in ruminal fermentation. Our findings demonstrate that EFE supplementation enhances nitrogen retention, reduces ruminal ammonia, and alters ruminal fermentation profiles and microbial populations in feedlot cattle. While the expected synergism between amylase and xylanase did not significantly impact rumen fermentation parameters, it did induce shifts in the rumen microbiome. These results suggest that EFE supplementation may be a promising strategy for improving nutrient utilization and potentially reducing the environmental impact of feedlot operations.
饲养场运营对环境的影响日益受到关注,因为牛排泄的饲料营养物质中有很大一部分是废物。外源性饲料酶(EFE)因其通过改善营养物质消化而提高反刍动物饲料效率的潜力而受到关注。然而,EFE对瘤胃参数的影响并不一致,对氮代谢和瘤胃微生物组影响的研究有限。此外,不同efe组合的协同效应尚不清楚。本试验旨在评价饲粮中单独和组合EFE产品对瘤胃发酵参数、氮代谢和瘤胃微生物群落的影响。试验选用10头瘤胃空心阉牛(543±28.6 kg体重),采用重复拉丁方设计(5 × 5)分栏饲养。处理包括:对照(CON,不添加EFE)、淀粉酶[AML, 0.5 g/kg日粮干物质]、木聚糖酶(FBL, 0.9 g/kg DM)、半剂量组合(HD, 0.25 g AML + 0.45 g FBL/kg DM)和全剂量组合(FD, 0.5 g AML + 0.90 g FBL/kg DM)。试验期19 d,分别于饲喂后0、4、8、12和16 h采集全尿、全粪(第15 ~ 18 d)和瘤胃液(第19 d),测定氨、挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)、pH和微生物组。与对照组相比,饲粮中添加EFE的动物瘤胃氨浓度较低(P = 0.040),乙酸比例较高(P < 0.001)。饲粮中添加EFE可降低粪便(P = 0.049)和尿液(P = 0.036)的氮排泄量,提高氮的滞留率和效率(P = 0.045)。此外,EFE产品在科和属水平上诱导了各种微生物类群的变化(P≤0.10),这可能与瘤胃发酵中观察到的变化有关。我们的研究结果表明,饲粮中添加EFE可以提高养牛的氮潴留,减少瘤胃氨,并改变瘤胃发酵剖面和微生物种群。虽然预期的淀粉酶和木聚糖酶之间的协同作用并没有显著影响瘤胃发酵参数,但它确实引起了瘤胃微生物组的变化。这些结果表明,补充EFE可能是一种有希望的策略,可以提高养分利用率,并有可能减少饲养场运营对环境的影响。
{"title":"Feeding amylolytic and fibrolytic exogenous enzymes in feedlot diets: effects on ruminal parameters, nitrogen balance and microbial diversity of Nellore cattle","authors":"Igor Machado Ferreira, Hilario Cuquetto Mantovani, Fiorella Viquez-Umana, Yury Tatiana Granja-Salcedo, Luiz Fernando Costa e Silva, Anne Koontz, Vaughn Holder, James Eugene Pettigrew, Arlan Araújo Rodrigues, Aline Naime Rodrigues, Mateus José Inácio de Abreu, Saulo Teixeira Rodrigues de Almeida, Pedro Marcus Pereira Vidigal, Gustavo Rezende Siqueira, Flávio Dutra de Resende","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01226-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01226-5","url":null,"abstract":"The environmental impact of feedlot operations is a growing concern, as cattle excrete a significant portion of feed nutrients as waste. Exogenous feed enzymes (EFE) have gained interest for their potential to enhance feed efficiency in ruminants by improving nutrient digestion. However, EFE effects on ruminal parameters have shown inconsistencies, with limited research on nitrogen metabolism and rumen microbiome impacts. Moreover, the synergistic effects of combining different EFEs remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of individual and combined EFE products in feedlot diets on ruminal fermentation parameters, nitrogen metabolism, and ruminal microbial communities. Ten rumen-cannulated Nellore steers [543 ± 28.6 kg of body weight (BW)] were distributed in a replicated Latin-square design (5 × 5) in individual pens. Treatments included: control (CON, no EFE supplementation), amylase [AML, 0.5 g/kg of diet dry matter (DM)], xylanase (FBL, 0.9 g/kg DM), half dose combination (HD, 0.25 g of AML + 0.45 g of FBL/kg of DM), and full dose combination (FD, 0.5 g of AML + 0.90 g of FBL/kg of DM). The experimental period lasted 19 d and included total urine and feces collection (d 15 to 18) and rumen fluid sampling (d 19) at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 h post-feeding for ammonia, volatile fatty acids (VFA), pH and microbiome analysis. EFE supplemented animals exhibited lower ruminal ammonia concentrations (P = 0.040), and higher acetate proportions (P < 0.001) compared to the control group. EFE supplementation resulted in reduced nitrogen (N) excretion in feces (P = 0.049) and urine (P = 0.036), contributing to improved N retention and efficiency (P = 0.045). Additionally, EFE products induced shifts in various microbial taxa at family and genera levels (P ≤ 0.10), which may be associated with the changes observed in ruminal fermentation. Our findings demonstrate that EFE supplementation enhances nitrogen retention, reduces ruminal ammonia, and alters ruminal fermentation profiles and microbial populations in feedlot cattle. While the expected synergism between amylase and xylanase did not significantly impact rumen fermentation parameters, it did induce shifts in the rumen microbiome. These results suggest that EFE supplementation may be a promising strategy for improving nutrient utilization and potentially reducing the environmental impact of feedlot operations.\u0000","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144568955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-02DOI: 10.1186/s40104-025-01229-2
Zhixin Lin, Xinchen Zhou, Tingting Lu, Wendong An, Shenghao Chen, Suchen Li, Hui Miao, Xinyan Han
Pork quality and flavor are critical determinants of consumer preference, yet the role of gut microbiota in shaping meat characteristics remains underexplored. In this study, we investigated how a probiotic consortium (FAM: Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bacillus subtilis) modulates the gut-muscle axis to enhance pork flavor. In finishing pigs, FAM supplementation significantly increased flavor-associated nucleotides and umami-enhancing amino acids in longissimus dorsi muscle. Metagenomic analysis revealed FAM-driven enrichment of glycan-degrading Prevotella and short-chain fatty acid-producing Phascolarctobacterium, accompanied by reduced antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors. Spearman correlation linked Prevotella copri abundance with elevated muscle amino acids, suggesting microbial-encoded CAZymes as key mediators. This study provides the first evidence that probiotic-induced gut microbiota remodeling enhances pork flavor through metabolic cross-talk along the gut-muscle axis. The findings suggest a novel strategy for improving pork quality via dietary interventions targeting gut microbiota.
{"title":"Co-cultivation of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bacillus subtilis mediates the gut-muscle axis affecting pork quality and flavor","authors":"Zhixin Lin, Xinchen Zhou, Tingting Lu, Wendong An, Shenghao Chen, Suchen Li, Hui Miao, Xinyan Han","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01229-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01229-2","url":null,"abstract":"Pork quality and flavor are critical determinants of consumer preference, yet the role of gut microbiota in shaping meat characteristics remains underexplored. In this study, we investigated how a probiotic consortium (FAM: Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bacillus subtilis) modulates the gut-muscle axis to enhance pork flavor. In finishing pigs, FAM supplementation significantly increased flavor-associated nucleotides and umami-enhancing amino acids in longissimus dorsi muscle. Metagenomic analysis revealed FAM-driven enrichment of glycan-degrading Prevotella and short-chain fatty acid-producing Phascolarctobacterium, accompanied by reduced antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors. Spearman correlation linked Prevotella copri abundance with elevated muscle amino acids, suggesting microbial-encoded CAZymes as key mediators. This study provides the first evidence that probiotic-induced gut microbiota remodeling enhances pork flavor through metabolic cross-talk along the gut-muscle axis. The findings suggest a novel strategy for improving pork quality via dietary interventions targeting gut microbiota.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"10 1","pages":"93"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144533983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-01DOI: 10.1186/s40104-025-01227-4
Renjie Yao, Tetske G. Hulshof, Hubèrt M. J. van Hees, An Cools, Mattijs Merckx, Dominiek Maes, Geert P. J. Janssens
Based on observations in feral pigs, the role of dietary fibre and structure may be underestimated in suckling piglet nutrition. This study investigated the effect of grass hay offered to suckling piglets either separately or included in their creep feed, combined with nursery diets with or without grass pellet inclusion on growth performance and gastrointestinal development. Thirty-six litters (14–15 piglets per litter) were divided into three equal groups of 12 litters per treatment during the suckling phase: control group (CON) received regular creep feed; GH group received chopped grass hay as-is in separate feeders alongside regular creep feed; PGH group received regular creep feed but barley and wheat were replaced by 28% grass pellets. After weaning (d 23), each litter was split into two dietary treatments in a split-plot design (pre-wean treatment as main plot). Two of the pre-wean diets were also offered until d 14 post-weaning, i.e., CON (CON nursery diet, CON-C, GH-C, PGH-C) and PGH (GH nursery diet, CON-GH, GH-GH, PGH-GH). Thereafter, transitioning to a diet containing 13% wheat/barley or grass pellets, respectively, until d 39 post-weaning. Gastrointestinal morphology, gene expression of intestinal nutrient transporters and barrier proteins, metabolite profile and microbiota were assessed on the day before weaning, d 10 and d 38 post-weaning. A total of 24 piglets were sacrificed at each dissection point. At weaning, GH group had consumed 7 g/piglet grass hay, and PGH group had consumed 46 g/piglet creep feed. One day before weaning, GH piglets showed heavier emptied small intestine (P = 0.044) and colon (P = 0.065), higher SCFA production in proximal segments and lower SCFA production in colon (P < 0.05). Higher abundance of Prevotellaceae NK3b31 group was observed in caecal and colonic content of PGH compared to GH group (P < 0.05), and PGH group showed a lower energy conversion ratio (net energy intake/gain, P = 0.035). Following weaning, GH nursery group had a reduced average daily gain (226 vs. 183 g, P < 0.001) during d 0–14, while this group showed compensatory growth afterwards (P = 0.056). Main plot effects on increased expressions of CLDN3 and FFAR2 were observed in GH and PGH by d 38 post-weaning (P < 0.05). An interaction effect showed greater luminal abundance of the Prevotellaceae NK3b31 group in GH-GH and PGH-GH groups compared to CON-GH on d 38. The GH nursery diet showed a better energy conversion ratio (P = 0.006) with no influence on body weight and their SCFA production shifted towards proximal segments. In conclusion, feeding a structured and fibre-rich diet to suckling piglets enhance their digestive tract development and adapt their microbiome to fibre digestion in later life. Maintaining a fibre-rich diet from suckling to nursery is recommended, though this come with a transient reduction in weight gain caused by lower feed intake that, however, can be recovered afterwards accompanied with an optimized energy
{"title":"Grass hay mixed-in creep feed or separately-fed differentially affects digestive development in pre- and post-weaning piglets","authors":"Renjie Yao, Tetske G. Hulshof, Hubèrt M. J. van Hees, An Cools, Mattijs Merckx, Dominiek Maes, Geert P. J. Janssens","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01227-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01227-4","url":null,"abstract":"Based on observations in feral pigs, the role of dietary fibre and structure may be underestimated in suckling piglet nutrition. This study investigated the effect of grass hay offered to suckling piglets either separately or included in their creep feed, combined with nursery diets with or without grass pellet inclusion on growth performance and gastrointestinal development. Thirty-six litters (14–15 piglets per litter) were divided into three equal groups of 12 litters per treatment during the suckling phase: control group (CON) received regular creep feed; GH group received chopped grass hay as-is in separate feeders alongside regular creep feed; PGH group received regular creep feed but barley and wheat were replaced by 28% grass pellets. After weaning (d 23), each litter was split into two dietary treatments in a split-plot design (pre-wean treatment as main plot). Two of the pre-wean diets were also offered until d 14 post-weaning, i.e., CON (CON nursery diet, CON-C, GH-C, PGH-C) and PGH (GH nursery diet, CON-GH, GH-GH, PGH-GH). Thereafter, transitioning to a diet containing 13% wheat/barley or grass pellets, respectively, until d 39 post-weaning. Gastrointestinal morphology, gene expression of intestinal nutrient transporters and barrier proteins, metabolite profile and microbiota were assessed on the day before weaning, d 10 and d 38 post-weaning. A total of 24 piglets were sacrificed at each dissection point. At weaning, GH group had consumed 7 g/piglet grass hay, and PGH group had consumed 46 g/piglet creep feed. One day before weaning, GH piglets showed heavier emptied small intestine (P = 0.044) and colon (P = 0.065), higher SCFA production in proximal segments and lower SCFA production in colon (P < 0.05). Higher abundance of Prevotellaceae NK3b31 group was observed in caecal and colonic content of PGH compared to GH group (P < 0.05), and PGH group showed a lower energy conversion ratio (net energy intake/gain, P = 0.035). Following weaning, GH nursery group had a reduced average daily gain (226 vs. 183 g, P < 0.001) during d 0–14, while this group showed compensatory growth afterwards (P = 0.056). Main plot effects on increased expressions of CLDN3 and FFAR2 were observed in GH and PGH by d 38 post-weaning (P < 0.05). An interaction effect showed greater luminal abundance of the Prevotellaceae NK3b31 group in GH-GH and PGH-GH groups compared to CON-GH on d 38. The GH nursery diet showed a better energy conversion ratio (P = 0.006) with no influence on body weight and their SCFA production shifted towards proximal segments. In conclusion, feeding a structured and fibre-rich diet to suckling piglets enhance their digestive tract development and adapt their microbiome to fibre digestion in later life. Maintaining a fibre-rich diet from suckling to nursery is recommended, though this come with a transient reduction in weight gain caused by lower feed intake that, however, can be recovered afterwards accompanied with an optimized energy ","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144520781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-26DOI: 10.1186/s40104-025-01222-9
Lara Rastello, Laura Gasco, Mauro Coppa, Mathieu Gerbelle, Stefania Colombini, Marco Battelli, Paola Badino, Luca Vernetti-Prot, Pablo G. Toral, Alberto Brugiapaglia, Giulia Gardini, Vanda Malfatto, Isabelle Constant, Alessandro Galli, Christophe Trespeuch, Manuela Renna
Scant information is currently available on the use of insect oils in ruminant diets. Insect oils could be used as alternatives to certain conventional plant lipid sources that are considered no longer sustainable. This trial aims at evaluating the effects of the dietary inclusion of Hermetia illucens oil (HIO) vs. hydrogenated palm fat (HPF) on digestive parameters, oxidative stress, and milk production performance of dairy cows. Twenty-six Valdostana Red Pied cows were randomly divided into two groups and fed with hay ad libitum and a concentrate containing 3% (as fed) of either HPF or HIO. The trial lasted 50 d, including two weeks of diet adaptation. Individual feed intake and milk yield were monitored three and four times a week, respectively. Fecal samples were collected at the end (d 50) of the trial to determine total-tract nutrients apparent digestibility. Individual blood samples were collected to evaluate blood plasma metabolites (d 0 and d 50) and oxidative stress parameters (d 0, d 26 and d 50). Milk samples were collected at d 0, d 14, d 26, d 38 and d 50 for chemical composition analysis. Feed efficiency was estimated through feed conversion ratio and residual feed intake (RFI). Data were analyzed by SAS software using a mixed model. The diet had no effect on nutrients intake and apparent total-tract digestibility. However, the dietary inclusion of HIO led to higher milk production (+ 0.82 kg/cow/d; P < 0.05) and slightly lower RFI (−0.008; P < 0.001) when compared to the HPF diet. Milk composition and the nutritional metabolic status of the cows remained unaffected by diet. Serum antioxidant capacity was comparable between the two groups, while lower derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolite concentrations were observed in the HIO-fed cows when compared to the HPF-fed ones (−37.13 Carratelli Units; P < 0.001). The dietary inclusion of HIO instead of HPF did not negatively affect feed palatability and total-tract apparent digestibility of nutrients in dairy cows. Furthermore, it increased feed efficiency by supporting a higher milk production together with an improved antioxidant status. The results suggest that HIO could be an eligible option as an innovative energy source for dairy cows.
{"title":"Hermetia illucens oil vs. hydrogenated palm fat in dairy cow nutrition: effects on digestive parameters, oxidative stress, and milk production performance","authors":"Lara Rastello, Laura Gasco, Mauro Coppa, Mathieu Gerbelle, Stefania Colombini, Marco Battelli, Paola Badino, Luca Vernetti-Prot, Pablo G. Toral, Alberto Brugiapaglia, Giulia Gardini, Vanda Malfatto, Isabelle Constant, Alessandro Galli, Christophe Trespeuch, Manuela Renna","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01222-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01222-9","url":null,"abstract":"Scant information is currently available on the use of insect oils in ruminant diets. Insect oils could be used as alternatives to certain conventional plant lipid sources that are considered no longer sustainable. This trial aims at evaluating the effects of the dietary inclusion of Hermetia illucens oil (HIO) vs. hydrogenated palm fat (HPF) on digestive parameters, oxidative stress, and milk production performance of dairy cows. Twenty-six Valdostana Red Pied cows were randomly divided into two groups and fed with hay ad libitum and a concentrate containing 3% (as fed) of either HPF or HIO. The trial lasted 50 d, including two weeks of diet adaptation. Individual feed intake and milk yield were monitored three and four times a week, respectively. Fecal samples were collected at the end (d 50) of the trial to determine total-tract nutrients apparent digestibility. Individual blood samples were collected to evaluate blood plasma metabolites (d 0 and d 50) and oxidative stress parameters (d 0, d 26 and d 50). Milk samples were collected at d 0, d 14, d 26, d 38 and d 50 for chemical composition analysis. Feed efficiency was estimated through feed conversion ratio and residual feed intake (RFI). Data were analyzed by SAS software using a mixed model. The diet had no effect on nutrients intake and apparent total-tract digestibility. However, the dietary inclusion of HIO led to higher milk production (+ 0.82 kg/cow/d; P < 0.05) and slightly lower RFI (−0.008; P < 0.001) when compared to the HPF diet. Milk composition and the nutritional metabolic status of the cows remained unaffected by diet. Serum antioxidant capacity was comparable between the two groups, while lower derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolite concentrations were observed in the HIO-fed cows when compared to the HPF-fed ones (−37.13 Carratelli Units; P < 0.001). The dietary inclusion of HIO instead of HPF did not negatively affect feed palatability and total-tract apparent digestibility of nutrients in dairy cows. Furthermore, it increased feed efficiency by supporting a higher milk production together with an improved antioxidant status. The results suggest that HIO could be an eligible option as an innovative energy source for dairy cows.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"182 1","pages":"90"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144488758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
As an essential source of nutrients for young mammals, milk possesses a variety of biological functions. Recently identified milk-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEV) have shown potential regulatory effects on intestinal health. Current studies have highlighted the functional roles of milk-derived sEV and their RNA cargo in promoting intestinal health. However, there is a paucity of research demonstrating how milk-derived sEV influence intestinal barrier function through the transport of circRNAs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of porcine milk sEV (PM-sEV) circRNA on intestinal barrier function. We systematically identified the circRNAs involved in this process and analyzed the miRNAs through which PM-sEV deliver circRNAs to regulate intestinal barrier function. Our findings revealed that PM-sEV promote the expression of the intestinal tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin, both in vivo (mice) and in vitro (IPEC-J2). When PM-sEV RNA was reduced using ultrasound treatment, their ability to enhance intestinal barrier function was significantly reduced. Bioinformatics analysis showed that circ-0000197, present in PM-sEV, can target miR-429, while miR-429 has the ability to target the 3'-UTR of ZO-1 and Occludin. Furthermore, experiments involving the overexpression or inhibition of the relevant non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) demonstrated that circ-0000197 significantly enhances intestinal barrier function, whereas miR-429 exerts an inhibitory effect on this function. Overall, our findings identify circ-0000197 in PM-sEV as a crucial circRNA that regulates intestinal barrier function by inhibiting miR-429. Circ-0000197 carried by PM-sEV acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that regulates the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin by sponging miR-429, thereby promoting intestinal barrier function at both the cellular and in vivo levels. These findings emphasize the vital role of circRNAs transported through milk-derived sEV in regulating intestinal health, offering new avenues for developing innovative functional milk components. This mechanism also underscores the importance of PM-sEV carrying circ-0000197 in preserving intestinal barrier integrity. Collectively, this study enhances our understanding of the complex regulatory networks involving PM-sEV carrying circRNAs and their impact on intestinal health.
{"title":"Circ-0000197 derived from porcine milk small extracellular vesicles promotes intestinal barrier function by sponging miR-429","authors":"Yuxuan Wang, Bilan Chen, Tingzhou Xuan, Kun Ouyang, Jingshen Chen, Hailong Wang, Junyi Luo, Jiajie Sun, Qianyun Xi, Yongliang Zhang, Ting Chen","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01218-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01218-5","url":null,"abstract":"As an essential source of nutrients for young mammals, milk possesses a variety of biological functions. Recently identified milk-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEV) have shown potential regulatory effects on intestinal health. Current studies have highlighted the functional roles of milk-derived sEV and their RNA cargo in promoting intestinal health. However, there is a paucity of research demonstrating how milk-derived sEV influence intestinal barrier function through the transport of circRNAs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of porcine milk sEV (PM-sEV) circRNA on intestinal barrier function. We systematically identified the circRNAs involved in this process and analyzed the miRNAs through which PM-sEV deliver circRNAs to regulate intestinal barrier function. Our findings revealed that PM-sEV promote the expression of the intestinal tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin, both in vivo (mice) and in vitro (IPEC-J2). When PM-sEV RNA was reduced using ultrasound treatment, their ability to enhance intestinal barrier function was significantly reduced. Bioinformatics analysis showed that circ-0000197, present in PM-sEV, can target miR-429, while miR-429 has the ability to target the 3'-UTR of ZO-1 and Occludin. Furthermore, experiments involving the overexpression or inhibition of the relevant non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) demonstrated that circ-0000197 significantly enhances intestinal barrier function, whereas miR-429 exerts an inhibitory effect on this function. Overall, our findings identify circ-0000197 in PM-sEV as a crucial circRNA that regulates intestinal barrier function by inhibiting miR-429. Circ-0000197 carried by PM-sEV acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that regulates the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin by sponging miR-429, thereby promoting intestinal barrier function at both the cellular and in vivo levels. These findings emphasize the vital role of circRNAs transported through milk-derived sEV in regulating intestinal health, offering new avenues for developing innovative functional milk components. This mechanism also underscores the importance of PM-sEV carrying circ-0000197 in preserving intestinal barrier integrity. Collectively, this study enhances our understanding of the complex regulatory networks involving PM-sEV carrying circRNAs and their impact on intestinal health.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"17 1","pages":"89"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144479233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-24DOI: 10.1186/s40104-025-01217-6
Qifan Zhang, Man Du, Yutian Shen, Xiaoxi Lu, Mingliang Jin, Yizhen Wang
Fat is a key component of body composition in both humans and animals, with intramuscular fat (IMF) being a critical determinant of pork quality. Higher IMF level enhances meat qualities such as flavor, tenderness, and juiciness, directly influencing consumer preference and market demand. Therefore, identifying microbial biomarkers associated with fat deposition is essential for improving meat quality in livestock and understanding how gut microbiota regulates host metabolism. In this study, we examined changes in meat quality, fat metabolism, and gut microbiota during the pig life cycle, from weaning to marketing. We found that Jinhua pig exhibited higher IMF content and marbling score, and higher α diversity of colonic microbial communities. Microbiome Multivariate Association with Linear Models was used to identify the core genera associated with age, breed, and feed, and Prevotella was found to respond to both age and breed factors. The correlation analysis of fat deposition indicators with microbial genera revealed that Prevotella was a potential biomarker in response to IMF. In addition, the P. stercorea DSM 18206 (P. stercorea) was identified in porcine sample and administered to pseudo sterile mouse to examine the effect on IMF deposition. We found that the gavage of P. stercorea with alfalfa-enriched diet led to a significant increase in triglyceride (TG) and IMF contents in muscle. Metabolomic analysis further confirmed P. stercorea may potentially regulate fat deposition through the sphingolipid signaling pathway. We identified P. stercorea as a potential biomarker linked to higher IMF deposition and validated their role in shaping the gut microbiota and promoting fat accumulation in a mouse model, which correlated with the sphingolipid signaling pathway. These findings provide valuable insights into the role of P. stercorea in regulating fat deposition and metabolic health, offering implications for improving both livestock meat quality and lipid metabolism in humans.
{"title":"Prevotella stercorea increases fat deposition in Jinhua pigs fed alfalfa grass-based diets","authors":"Qifan Zhang, Man Du, Yutian Shen, Xiaoxi Lu, Mingliang Jin, Yizhen Wang","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01217-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01217-6","url":null,"abstract":"Fat is a key component of body composition in both humans and animals, with intramuscular fat (IMF) being a critical determinant of pork quality. Higher IMF level enhances meat qualities such as flavor, tenderness, and juiciness, directly influencing consumer preference and market demand. Therefore, identifying microbial biomarkers associated with fat deposition is essential for improving meat quality in livestock and understanding how gut microbiota regulates host metabolism. In this study, we examined changes in meat quality, fat metabolism, and gut microbiota during the pig life cycle, from weaning to marketing. We found that Jinhua pig exhibited higher IMF content and marbling score, and higher α diversity of colonic microbial communities. Microbiome Multivariate Association with Linear Models was used to identify the core genera associated with age, breed, and feed, and Prevotella was found to respond to both age and breed factors. The correlation analysis of fat deposition indicators with microbial genera revealed that Prevotella was a potential biomarker in response to IMF. In addition, the P. stercorea DSM 18206 (P. stercorea) was identified in porcine sample and administered to pseudo sterile mouse to examine the effect on IMF deposition. We found that the gavage of P. stercorea with alfalfa-enriched diet led to a significant increase in triglyceride (TG) and IMF contents in muscle. Metabolomic analysis further confirmed P. stercorea may potentially regulate fat deposition through the sphingolipid signaling pathway. We identified P. stercorea as a potential biomarker linked to higher IMF deposition and validated their role in shaping the gut microbiota and promoting fat accumulation in a mouse model, which correlated with the sphingolipid signaling pathway. These findings provide valuable insights into the role of P. stercorea in regulating fat deposition and metabolic health, offering implications for improving both livestock meat quality and lipid metabolism in humans.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"36 1","pages":"88"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144371179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-23DOI: 10.1186/s40104-025-01208-7
Jiatong Wei, Yang Liu, Hua Li, Ze Lu, Yanjiao Liu, Yifan Zhang, Cong Lan, Aimin Wu, Jun He, Jingyi Cai, Gang Tian, Daiwen Chen, Bing Yu, Zhiqing Huang, Ping Zheng, Xiangbing Mao, Jie Yu, Junqiu Luo, Hui Yan, Jiayong Tang, Huifen Wang, Quyuan Wang, Yuheng Luo
Inflammatory bowel disease is a significant health concern for both humans and large-scale farm animals. In the quest for effective alternatives to antibiotics, next-generation probiotics (NGPs) have emerged as a promising option. The genus Blautia presents a rich source of potential NGP strains. Here we successfully isolated Blautia hominis LYH1 strain from the intestines of healthy weaned piglets and characterized its biological traits. Its anti-inflammatory activity was then assessed using macrophages, while its protective effects against colitis and gut barrier damage were validated in a DSS-induced mouse colitis model. B. hominis LYH1 displayed typical characteristics of an obligate anaerobe, including non-hemolytic and non-motile features, and a genome enriched with carbohydrate-active enzyme genes. It produced metabolites with antibiotic-like compounds, demonstrating antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. In vitro, B. hominis LYH1 effectively inhibited pathogen replication in macrophages, reducing cellular infections and alleviating inflammatory damage. In vivo, oral administration of B. hominis LYH1 or its metabolites significantly mitigated DSS-induced colitis in mice by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting T-lymphocyte activation, and enhancing short-chain fatty acid production. Our findings underscore B. hominis LYH1’s potential as a NGP for maintaining gut health and combating intestinal inflammation. These findings offer valuable insights into the development of antibiotic alternatives and innovative strategies for preventing and treating enteritis in both agricultural and medical settings.
炎症性肠病对人类和大型农场动物都是一个重大的健康问题。在寻找抗生素的有效替代品的过程中,下一代益生菌(NGPs)已经成为一个有前途的选择。蓝藻属具有丰富的潜在NGP菌株来源。本研究成功地从健康断奶仔猪肠道中分离出人Blautia LYH1菌株,并对其生物学特性进行了鉴定。然后使用巨噬细胞评估其抗炎活性,同时在dss诱导的小鼠结肠炎模型中验证其对结肠炎和肠道屏障损伤的保护作用。B. hominis LYH1显示出专性厌氧菌的典型特征,包括非溶血和非运动特征,以及富含碳水化合物活性酶基因的基因组。它产生具有抗生素样化合物的代谢物,显示出对大肠杆菌的抗菌活性。在体外,人芽胞杆菌LYH1能有效抑制病原体在巨噬细胞中的复制,减少细胞感染,减轻炎症损伤。在体内,口服人芽孢杆菌LYH1或其代谢物可通过抑制促炎细胞因子、抑制t淋巴细胞活化和增强短链脂肪酸的产生,显著减轻dss诱导的小鼠结肠炎。我们的研究结果强调了人芽孢杆菌LYH1作为维持肠道健康和对抗肠道炎症的NGP的潜力。这些发现为开发抗生素替代品以及在农业和医疗环境中预防和治疗肠炎的创新策略提供了有价值的见解。
{"title":"Unlocking the power of swine gut bacteria: newly isolated Blautia strain and its metabolites inhibit the replication of Salmonella Typhimurium in macrophages and alleviate DSS-induced colitis in mice","authors":"Jiatong Wei, Yang Liu, Hua Li, Ze Lu, Yanjiao Liu, Yifan Zhang, Cong Lan, Aimin Wu, Jun He, Jingyi Cai, Gang Tian, Daiwen Chen, Bing Yu, Zhiqing Huang, Ping Zheng, Xiangbing Mao, Jie Yu, Junqiu Luo, Hui Yan, Jiayong Tang, Huifen Wang, Quyuan Wang, Yuheng Luo","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01208-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01208-7","url":null,"abstract":"Inflammatory bowel disease is a significant health concern for both humans and large-scale farm animals. In the quest for effective alternatives to antibiotics, next-generation probiotics (NGPs) have emerged as a promising option. The genus Blautia presents a rich source of potential NGP strains. Here we successfully isolated Blautia hominis LYH1 strain from the intestines of healthy weaned piglets and characterized its biological traits. Its anti-inflammatory activity was then assessed using macrophages, while its protective effects against colitis and gut barrier damage were validated in a DSS-induced mouse colitis model. B. hominis LYH1 displayed typical characteristics of an obligate anaerobe, including non-hemolytic and non-motile features, and a genome enriched with carbohydrate-active enzyme genes. It produced metabolites with antibiotic-like compounds, demonstrating antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. In vitro, B. hominis LYH1 effectively inhibited pathogen replication in macrophages, reducing cellular infections and alleviating inflammatory damage. In vivo, oral administration of B. hominis LYH1 or its metabolites significantly mitigated DSS-induced colitis in mice by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting T-lymphocyte activation, and enhancing short-chain fatty acid production. Our findings underscore B. hominis LYH1’s potential as a NGP for maintaining gut health and combating intestinal inflammation. These findings offer valuable insights into the development of antibiotic alternatives and innovative strategies for preventing and treating enteritis in both agricultural and medical settings.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"47 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144341361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-17DOI: 10.1186/s40104-025-01215-8
Wei Liu, Erchao Li, Chang Xu, Liqiao Chen, Xiaodan Wang
The development of saline-alkaline water aquaculture is an important part of the development of the global food supply. However, there is still limited knowledge about nutritional strategies for aquaculture in saline-alkaline water, including essential nutrients such as proteins and carbohydrates. In this study, our objective was to elucidate the role of different protein-to-carbohydrate ratios in the adaptation of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to salinity-alkalinity stress. Fish were fed three isoenergetic (16.5 kJ/g) and isolipidic (60 g/kg) diets with different protein-to-carbohydrate ratios (27% protein and 35% carbohydrate; 35% protein and 25% carbohydrate; 42% protein and 15% carbohydrate) for 50 d. Nile tilapia (0.44 ± 0.03 g) were exposed to both freshwater (salinity: 0.2 PSU; alkalinity: 0.5 g/L NaHCO₃) and saline-alkaline water (salinity: 16.0 PSU; alkalinity: 3.0 g/L NaHCO₃) to observe changes in growth performance, whole-body composition, and antioxidant capacity. To further elucidate the role of protein-to-carbohydrate ratios, we performed gut microbiota and transcriptomic analyses. The results revealed that salinity-alkalinity stress induced oxidative stress, damaged the gill tissue structure, caused hepatocyte cytoplasmic vacuolation, increased the energy demand and the abundance of intestinal pathogens, and ultimately inhibited the growth of tilapia. A diet containing 27% protein and 35% carbohydrate significantly alleviated oxidative stress in tilapia, increased their crude protein content, and ultimately significantly improved the growth performance. Further analyses of the intestinal microbiota and transcriptomics revealed that a diet containing 27% protein and 35% carbohydrate increased the abundance of probiotics in the gut and upregulated energy metabolism pathways related to glucose metabolism. The diet containing 27% protein and 35% carbohydrate increased the abundance of probiotics in the gut, promoted energy metabolism, and improved the growth performance of tilapia under long-term salinity-alkalinity stress. This study evaluated the impact of protein and carbohydrate levels on the growth of tilapia in saline-alkaline water, offering theoretical support for the development of the saline-alkaline water feed industry. This study also highlighted the crucial role of saline-alkaline water aquaculture in global food security and nutritional supply.
{"title":"Nutritional strategies for Nile tilapia: protein and carbohydrate balances in saline-alkaline aquaculture","authors":"Wei Liu, Erchao Li, Chang Xu, Liqiao Chen, Xiaodan Wang","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01215-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01215-8","url":null,"abstract":"The development of saline-alkaline water aquaculture is an important part of the development of the global food supply. However, there is still limited knowledge about nutritional strategies for aquaculture in saline-alkaline water, including essential nutrients such as proteins and carbohydrates. In this study, our objective was to elucidate the role of different protein-to-carbohydrate ratios in the adaptation of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to salinity-alkalinity stress. Fish were fed three isoenergetic (16.5 kJ/g) and isolipidic (60 g/kg) diets with different protein-to-carbohydrate ratios (27% protein and 35% carbohydrate; 35% protein and 25% carbohydrate; 42% protein and 15% carbohydrate) for 50 d. Nile tilapia (0.44 ± 0.03 g) were exposed to both freshwater (salinity: 0.2 PSU; alkalinity: 0.5 g/L NaHCO₃) and saline-alkaline water (salinity: 16.0 PSU; alkalinity: 3.0 g/L NaHCO₃) to observe changes in growth performance, whole-body composition, and antioxidant capacity. To further elucidate the role of protein-to-carbohydrate ratios, we performed gut microbiota and transcriptomic analyses. The results revealed that salinity-alkalinity stress induced oxidative stress, damaged the gill tissue structure, caused hepatocyte cytoplasmic vacuolation, increased the energy demand and the abundance of intestinal pathogens, and ultimately inhibited the growth of tilapia. A diet containing 27% protein and 35% carbohydrate significantly alleviated oxidative stress in tilapia, increased their crude protein content, and ultimately significantly improved the growth performance. Further analyses of the intestinal microbiota and transcriptomics revealed that a diet containing 27% protein and 35% carbohydrate increased the abundance of probiotics in the gut and upregulated energy metabolism pathways related to glucose metabolism. The diet containing 27% protein and 35% carbohydrate increased the abundance of probiotics in the gut, promoted energy metabolism, and improved the growth performance of tilapia under long-term salinity-alkalinity stress. This study evaluated the impact of protein and carbohydrate levels on the growth of tilapia in saline-alkaline water, offering theoretical support for the development of the saline-alkaline water feed industry. This study also highlighted the crucial role of saline-alkaline water aquaculture in global food security and nutritional supply.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"43 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144304447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-16DOI: 10.1186/s40104-025-01225-6
Chris Major Ncho
Heat stress (HS) has become a significant challenge for poultry farming due to an increase in global temperatures. Existing literature suggests that the health effects of HS in chickens are related to its impact on the gastrointestinal tract. While there is evidence of the detrimental consequences of HS on the gut structure, little is known about the effects of HS on the microbial population inhabiting this organ. Fortunately, recent advancements in "omics" technologies have made investigating the interaction between HS and the gut microbiota possible. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to assess the effects of HS on chicken gut microbiota. In July 2024, a comprehensive literature search was performed across scientific repositories, including Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Eighteen studies met the eligibility criteria for inclusion and a qualitative synthesis of their results was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Current evidence indicates that HS poses a significant challenge to the gastrointestinal system of chickens, resulting in a range of physiological reactions. These changes trigger fierce competition among beneficial microbial species for limited nutrients, promote microbial shifts from obligate to facultative anaerobes, and increase the abundance of microbial species with high resistance to elevated environmental temperatures. Furthermore, the proliferation of pathogens is exacerbated. Ultimately, gut microbiota profiling highlights changes in microbial diversity, alterations in the composition of microbial populations, disruptions in specific microbial functional pathways (tricarboxylic acid cycle, amino acid metabolism, antioxidant biosynthesis, and fatty acid degradation), and the breakdown of complex networks that govern microbial interactions. Understanding the complex relationship between HS and microbial shifts within the chicken gut can provide valuable insights for the development of sustainable mitigation strategies. Further research is needed to expand the current knowledge and employ more advanced literature synthesis techniques such as meta-analyses.
{"title":"Heat stress and the chicken gastrointestinal microbiota: a systematic review","authors":"Chris Major Ncho","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01225-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01225-6","url":null,"abstract":"Heat stress (HS) has become a significant challenge for poultry farming due to an increase in global temperatures. Existing literature suggests that the health effects of HS in chickens are related to its impact on the gastrointestinal tract. While there is evidence of the detrimental consequences of HS on the gut structure, little is known about the effects of HS on the microbial population inhabiting this organ. Fortunately, recent advancements in \"omics\" technologies have made investigating the interaction between HS and the gut microbiota possible. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to assess the effects of HS on chicken gut microbiota. In July 2024, a comprehensive literature search was performed across scientific repositories, including Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Eighteen studies met the eligibility criteria for inclusion and a qualitative synthesis of their results was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Current evidence indicates that HS poses a significant challenge to the gastrointestinal system of chickens, resulting in a range of physiological reactions. These changes trigger fierce competition among beneficial microbial species for limited nutrients, promote microbial shifts from obligate to facultative anaerobes, and increase the abundance of microbial species with high resistance to elevated environmental temperatures. Furthermore, the proliferation of pathogens is exacerbated. Ultimately, gut microbiota profiling highlights changes in microbial diversity, alterations in the composition of microbial populations, disruptions in specific microbial functional pathways (tricarboxylic acid cycle, amino acid metabolism, antioxidant biosynthesis, and fatty acid degradation), and the breakdown of complex networks that govern microbial interactions. Understanding the complex relationship between HS and microbial shifts within the chicken gut can provide valuable insights for the development of sustainable mitigation strategies. Further research is needed to expand the current knowledge and employ more advanced literature synthesis techniques such as meta-analyses. ","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"91 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144296291","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}