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The gut-liver axis in ruminants can explain nutrient regulation, the gut-liver cycle, and immune function in ruminant biology through the gut microbe-gut metabolite-liver metabolite relationship. to investigate the effects of herbal feed additives on the gut-liver axis of Hu sheep. In this study, a broadly targeted UPLC-MS/MS metabolomics approach and 16s sequencing of gut microorganisms were used to detect, identify and quantify changes in ileal microorganisms, liver metabolites and ileal metabolites following the addition of Chinese herbal preparations. The addition of a 0.5% herbal feed additive increased ileal IgA, IgG and complement C3 levels. The addition of Chinese herbal preparations can increase the abundance of Firmicutes , Actinobacteriota , Bacteroidota , at the portal level of the ileum, increase the metabolism of organic matter and its derivatives, bile acids, amino acids and their metabolites, coenzymes, and vitamins in the liver and ileum, enhance nutrient absorption and waste metabolism, accelerate liver metabolism, promote gut-liver circulation, and improve ileal and liver immunity. This study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the effects of herbal feed additives on the gut-liver axis in ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that the addition of feed rich in bioactive components to animal diets will affect rumen fermentation parameters and flora structure. However, research on the regulatory effects of prickly ash seeds (PASs) during rumen development or on the rumen microbiome and its metabolites in sheep is limited. The current study was designed to explore the effects of PASs on sheep rumen development and growth performance using metagenomics and metabolomics. Eighteen 3-month-old Hu lambs were randomly allotted to three different dietary treatment groups: 0% (basal diet, CK), 3% (CK with 3% PAS, low-dose PAS, LPS), and 6% (CK with 6% PAS, high-dose PAS, HPS) PASs. The lambs were slaughtered to evaluate production performance. Our results showed that dietary PAS addition improved the average daily gain and reduced the F/G ratio of the experimental animals. Additionally, the height and width of the rumen papilla in the treatment groups were significantly higher than those in the CK group. The fermentation parameters showed that the levels of acetate and butyrate were significantly higher in the LPS group than in the CK and HPS groups. The propionate levels in the HPS group were significantly higher than those in the CK and LPS groups. Metagenomics analysis revealed that PAS dietary supplementation improved the abundance of Clostridiales and Bacteroidales and reduced the abundance of Prevotella, Butyrivibrio, and Methanococcus. Metabolomic analyses revealed that increased metabolite levels, such as those of serotonin, L-isoleucine, and L-valine, were closely related to growth-related metabolic pathways. The correlations analyzed showed that papilla height and muscular thickness were positively and negatively correlated with serotonin and L-valine, respectively. Average daily gain (ADG) was positively and negatively correlated with L-valine and several Prevotella, respectively. In addition, muscular thickness was positively correlated with Sodaliphilus pleomorphus, four Prevotella strains, SarcinaDSM_11001, and Methanobrevibacter_thaueri. Overall, PAS addition improved sheep growth performance by regulating beneficial microorganism and metabolite abundances, facilitating bacterial and viral invasion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, the processing of prickly ash (PA) produces a large number of by-products, including prickly ash seeds (PASs), which are rich in bioactive components such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds, and which may have an important influence on meat quality and muscle metabolites. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of dietary PAS supplementation on the meat quality, antioxidant activity, and metabolite characteristics of lambs. Eighteen 3-month-old Hu lambs (25.66 ± 3.03 kg body weight) were randomly allotted to three different dietary treatment groups. In the three dietary treatments, 0% (basal diet, CON), 3% (CON with 3% PAS, low-dose PAS, and LPS), and 6% (CON with 6% PAS, high-dose PAS, and HPS) PASs were used. Results indicated significant improvements in the HPS group, including reduced cooking loss and increased fat content. The L* and b* 45 min values were significantly lower in the PAS groups than those in the CON group (p < 0.05). Additionally, dietary PAS supplementation increased in MUFA, PUFA, n-3 PUFA, PUFA/MUFA ratio, NEAA, and FFA compared to the CON group. Furthermore, PAS supplementation significantly improved serum and muscle antioxidant capacity. Metabolomic analyses revealed that increased metabolites, such as tryptophan, leucine, citric acid, adenosine 5′-triphosphate, creatine phosphate, inosine, and α-ketoglutaric acid, were primarily enriched in the biosynthesis of cofactors and nucleotide and purine metabolism pathways. Notably, supplementation with 6% of PASs exhibited the most prominent effect on lamb meat quality in this study. Therefore, the application of PASs as a feed component in lamb production can not only improve meat quality and muscle antioxidant capacity but also save feed costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Longnan goat (LN) is a local breed discovered during the third census of China's livestock and poultry genetic resources. In order to thoroughly comprehend the population traits, this research examined a total of 70 animals from three different goat populations, namely the LN goat, Nanjiang Brown goat (NJ), and Boer goat (Boer). Specific‐Locus Amplified Fragment Sequencing was employed to analyze genetic diversity, population structure, and selective sweep patterns. Additionally, individual DNA fingerprints were generated to provide detailed genetic profiles for each subject. A total of 643,868 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected, with a majority located in intergenic and intronic regions. Genetic diversity analysis uncovered lower diversity within the LN population compared to the other two populations. The analysis of population structure unveiled significant genetic distance between LN and both NJ and Boer populations, with distinct clustering patterns observed. Moreover, genetic differentiation coefficients (FST) of 0.1019 and 0.0854 were determined between LN and Boer, as well as LN and NJ, respectively, indicating substantial genetic differentiation. Selective sweep analysis, combining FST and π ratio, identified several genes associated with growth and development, reproduction, hair color, and immunity that may serve as valuable candidates for marker‐assisted breeding. Furthermore, identification of 47,541 runs of homozygosity (ROHs) revealed non‐uniform distribution across chromosomes, with the highest frequency on chromosome 1 and the lowest on chromosome 27. Correlations between different inbreeding coefficients varied, with the highest observed between FHOM and FGRM, and the lowest between FROH >1.5Mb and FROH <500kb. A total of 46 candidate genes were annotated within high‐frequency ROH islands, primarily associated with biological processes such as reproduction, growth and development, and immunity. Finally, a DNA fingerprint, consisting of 371 highly polymorphic SNPs, was generated and presented in the form of a two‐dimensional code for convenient access. Based on the population structure analysis, LN goats have been found to have a distant genetic distance and a higher degree of differentiation from both the Boer and NJ populations. Evaluation of genetic diversity parameters and ROH analysis indicates that the LN population exhibits lower genetic diversity and shows signs of inbreeding. Our findings offer theoretical support for the identification of genetic resources within this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the impact of yeast culture (YC) on rumen epithelial development, microbiota, and metabolome, with the aim of investigating YC's mechanism in regulating rumen fermentation. Thirty male lambs of Hu sheep with similar age and body weight were selected and randomly divided into three groups with 10 lambs in each group. Lambs were fed a total mixed ration [TMR; rough: concentrate (R:C) ratio ≈ 30:70] to meet their nutritional needs. The experiment adopted completely randomized design (CRD). The control group (CON) was fed the basal diet with high concentrate, to which 20 g/d of YC was added in the low dose YC group (LYC) and 40 g/d of YC in the high dose YC group (HYC). The pretrial period was 14 days, and the experimental trial period was 60 days. At the end of a 60-day trial, ruminal epithelial tissues were collected for histomorphological analysis, and rumen microorganisms were analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing and rumen metabolites by untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics techniques. The results showed that YC improved rumen papilla development and increased rumen papilla length ( p  < 0.05), while decreased cuticle thickness ( p  < 0.05). The 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that YC reduced the relative abundance of Prevotella&#95;1 ( p  < 0.05), while significantly increased the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae&#95;UCG-005 , uncultured&#95;bacterium&#95;f&#95;Lachnospiraceae , and Ruminococcus&#95;1 genus ( p  < 0.05). Metabolomics analysis showed that YC changed the abundance of metabolites related to amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism and vitamin metabolism pathways in the rumen. In summary, YC might maintain rumen health under high-concentrate diet conditions by changing rumen microbiota structure and fermentation patterns, thereby affecting rumen metabolic profiles and repairing rumen epithelial injury., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wang, Su, Wang, Li, Li, Liu, Qi, Wu, Zhao, Li and Ma.)