Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Digestion, Metabolism, Serum Biochemical Indexes, and Rumen Microflora of Lanzhou Fat-Tailed Sheep

This study aimed to investigate the effect of varying levels of dietary protein on digestion, metabolism, serum biochemical indexes, and rumen microflora in Lanzhou fat-tailed sheep. A total of twenty 8-month-old healthy rams with an initial average body weight (BW 25.16 ± 1.09 kg) were selected and...

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Main Authors: Na Jiao, Wangmei Feng, Chi Ma, Honghe Li, Junsong Zhang, Juanshan Zheng, Penghui Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/1/25
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author Na Jiao
Wangmei Feng
Chi Ma
Honghe Li
Junsong Zhang
Juanshan Zheng
Penghui Guo
author_facet Na Jiao
Wangmei Feng
Chi Ma
Honghe Li
Junsong Zhang
Juanshan Zheng
Penghui Guo
author_sort Na Jiao
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to investigate the effect of varying levels of dietary protein on digestion, metabolism, serum biochemical indexes, and rumen microflora in Lanzhou fat-tailed sheep. A total of twenty 8-month-old healthy rams with an initial average body weight (BW 25.16 ± 1.09 kg) were selected and randomly divided into four dietary treatments with different protein levels P: 9.47%, MP: 10.53%, HP: 11.56%, and EHP: 12.61%. The rams underwent a 23 day adaptation period, and the experiment was conducted for 7 d. The results showed that with increased dietary protein levels, the apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and urine energy significantly increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05), increasing by 8.65%, 7.31%, 6.22%, and 0.1%, respectively. In contrast, the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) first increased and then plateaued with the increase in protein levels, and the digestibility of NDF in the HP group was the highest (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The Shannon, Simpson, Chao1, and Ace indices of rumen microorganisms in the four groups did not change significantly (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Additionally, at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, and Verrucomicrobiota collectively accounted for over 91% of the total phylum composition. At the genus level, there was an increase in the relative abundance of uncultured_rumen_bacterium and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group in the LP group, whereas the relative abundance of Prevotella decreased. In comparison to the other three groups, the HP group exhibited an increase in the relative abundance of Firmicutes. In summary, dietary protein level had no significant effects on the rumen microflora structure and blood biochemical indexes. However, diets with a high protein level can improve the apparent digestibility of nutrients and energy use efficiency of Lanzhou fat-tailed sheep.
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issn 2076-2615
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spelling doaj-art-3c850a5ceae84ce5802467931409f3642025-01-10T13:13:49ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-12-011512510.3390/ani15010025Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Digestion, Metabolism, Serum Biochemical Indexes, and Rumen Microflora of Lanzhou Fat-Tailed SheepNa Jiao0Wangmei Feng1Chi Ma2Honghe Li3Junsong Zhang4Juanshan Zheng5Penghui Guo6School of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, ChinaSchool of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, ChinaSchool of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, ChinaSchool of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, ChinaSchool of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, ChinaSchool of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, ChinaSchool of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, ChinaThis study aimed to investigate the effect of varying levels of dietary protein on digestion, metabolism, serum biochemical indexes, and rumen microflora in Lanzhou fat-tailed sheep. A total of twenty 8-month-old healthy rams with an initial average body weight (BW 25.16 ± 1.09 kg) were selected and randomly divided into four dietary treatments with different protein levels P: 9.47%, MP: 10.53%, HP: 11.56%, and EHP: 12.61%. The rams underwent a 23 day adaptation period, and the experiment was conducted for 7 d. The results showed that with increased dietary protein levels, the apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and urine energy significantly increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05), increasing by 8.65%, 7.31%, 6.22%, and 0.1%, respectively. In contrast, the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) first increased and then plateaued with the increase in protein levels, and the digestibility of NDF in the HP group was the highest (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The Shannon, Simpson, Chao1, and Ace indices of rumen microorganisms in the four groups did not change significantly (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Additionally, at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, and Verrucomicrobiota collectively accounted for over 91% of the total phylum composition. At the genus level, there was an increase in the relative abundance of uncultured_rumen_bacterium and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group in the LP group, whereas the relative abundance of Prevotella decreased. In comparison to the other three groups, the HP group exhibited an increase in the relative abundance of Firmicutes. In summary, dietary protein level had no significant effects on the rumen microflora structure and blood biochemical indexes. However, diets with a high protein level can improve the apparent digestibility of nutrients and energy use efficiency of Lanzhou fat-tailed sheep.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/1/25Lanzhou fat-tailed sheepdietary protein levelsdigestion and metabolismserum biochemical indexesrumen microflora
spellingShingle Na Jiao
Wangmei Feng
Chi Ma
Honghe Li
Junsong Zhang
Juanshan Zheng
Penghui Guo
Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Digestion, Metabolism, Serum Biochemical Indexes, and Rumen Microflora of Lanzhou Fat-Tailed Sheep
Animals
Lanzhou fat-tailed sheep
dietary protein levels
digestion and metabolism
serum biochemical indexes
rumen microflora
title Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Digestion, Metabolism, Serum Biochemical Indexes, and Rumen Microflora of Lanzhou Fat-Tailed Sheep
title_full Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Digestion, Metabolism, Serum Biochemical Indexes, and Rumen Microflora of Lanzhou Fat-Tailed Sheep
title_fullStr Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Digestion, Metabolism, Serum Biochemical Indexes, and Rumen Microflora of Lanzhou Fat-Tailed Sheep
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Digestion, Metabolism, Serum Biochemical Indexes, and Rumen Microflora of Lanzhou Fat-Tailed Sheep
title_short Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Digestion, Metabolism, Serum Biochemical Indexes, and Rumen Microflora of Lanzhou Fat-Tailed Sheep
title_sort effects of dietary protein levels on digestion metabolism serum biochemical indexes and rumen microflora of lanzhou fat tailed sheep
topic Lanzhou fat-tailed sheep
dietary protein levels
digestion and metabolism
serum biochemical indexes
rumen microflora
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/1/25
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