Supplementation with Complex Phytonutrients Enhances Rumen Barrier Function and Growth Performance of Lambs by...

Area of Science:

• Animal nutrition and metabolism
• Ruminant physiology
• Gut microbiome research

Background:

• High-concentrate diets can negatively impact rumen health in lambs.
• Complex phytonutrients (CPS) show potential anti-inflammatory effects.
• Understanding CPS impact on rumen function is crucial for livestock health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of dietary Complex Phytonutrients (CPS) on rumen health in lambs fed high-concentrate diets.
• To evaluate CPS impact on lamb growth performance, ruminal fermentation, epithelial barrier integrity, metabolism, and microbial communities.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-four lambs were assigned to three groups: control (CON), 2.5 g/kg CPS (CPS2.5), and 5.0 g/kg CPS (CPS5.0) for 60 days.
• Diets consisted of a 75:25 concentrate-to-forage ratio.
• Evaluated growth performance, ruminal fermentation, epithelial barrier function, JNK/p38 MAPK signaling, rumen microbiota, and metabolite profiles.

Main Results:

• CPS supplementation significantly increased lamb growth performance and improved ruminal fermentation parameters.
• CPS enhanced rumen epithelial barrier function, reduced inflammation, and inhibited the JNK/p38 MAPK pathway, with CPS5.0 showing superior effects.
• CPS5.0 optimized rumen microbiota composition and increased levels of Ursolic acid and other beneficial metabolites.

Conclusions:

• Dietary CPS supplementation positively impacts lamb growth, rumen health, and gut barrier function.
• CPS reduces inflammation and apoptosis-related gene expression in the rumen.
• CPS alters rumen microbial communities and metabolic profiles, offering a promising strategy for improving lamb production.