Effects of dietary addition of mulberry leaf powder on blood metabolites and fecal microbiota composition in Hu sheep

In livestock production, ruminant feed resources are often scarce, and numerous challenges arise during production, such as immune disorders and oxidative stress. Mulberry leaves are rich in various nutrients and exhibit significant antioxidant and immune-regulating properties. Therefore, they can b...

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Main Authors: Liangyong Guo, Xingyun Shi, Fang Cao, Shilei Hu, Wenchun Qian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Animal Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fanim.2024.1469850/full
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author Liangyong Guo
Xingyun Shi
Fang Cao
Shilei Hu
Wenchun Qian
author_facet Liangyong Guo
Xingyun Shi
Fang Cao
Shilei Hu
Wenchun Qian
author_sort Liangyong Guo
collection DOAJ
description In livestock production, ruminant feed resources are often scarce, and numerous challenges arise during production, such as immune disorders and oxidative stress. Mulberry leaves are rich in various nutrients and exhibit significant antioxidant and immune-regulating properties. Therefore, they can be used as an unconventional feed resource in livestock production. This study investigated the effects of mulberry leaves (ML) as a feed supplement on the blood biochemical parameters and hindgut microbial structure of Hu sheep. Sixteen Hu sheep were randomly divided into two groups and fed either 0 or 60 g/d of ML. Compared to the control group, sheep fed ML showed a significant increase in AKP (P = 0.027) and GPT (P = 0.002) levels in the blood, while TP (P = 0.001) levels decreased significantly. Additionally, there was an increasing trend in GSH-Px (P = 0.082) and CAT (P = 0.058) levels. After the addition of ML, the abundance of Campylobacterota, Campylobacter, and Mailhella in the hindgut significantly increased (P < 0.05), while the abundance of Alloprevotella, Roseburia, and Prevotellaceae UCG-003 significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Therefore, ML can serve as a natural feed supplement to regulate the immune status of animals, thereby promoting the healthy production of ruminants.
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publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Animal Science
spelling doaj-art-b4a5a3430c454311a0ba3c28f1f5746d2025-01-03T06:47:22ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Animal Science2673-62252025-01-01510.3389/fanim.2024.14698501469850Effects of dietary addition of mulberry leaf powder on blood metabolites and fecal microbiota composition in Hu sheepLiangyong Guo0Xingyun Shi1Fang Cao2Shilei Hu3Wenchun Qian4Huzhou Key Laboratory of Innovation and Application of Agricultural Germplasm Resources, Huzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Huzhou, ChinaHuzhou Key Laboratory of Innovation and Application of Agricultural Germplasm Resources, Huzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Huzhou, ChinaCollege of Life Science, Huzhou Teachers College, Huzhou, ChinaCentral Plains Environmental Protection Co. Ltd, Treatment Plant Dispatch Center, Zhengzhou, ChinaHuzhou Key Laboratory of Innovation and Application of Agricultural Germplasm Resources, Huzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Huzhou, ChinaIn livestock production, ruminant feed resources are often scarce, and numerous challenges arise during production, such as immune disorders and oxidative stress. Mulberry leaves are rich in various nutrients and exhibit significant antioxidant and immune-regulating properties. Therefore, they can be used as an unconventional feed resource in livestock production. This study investigated the effects of mulberry leaves (ML) as a feed supplement on the blood biochemical parameters and hindgut microbial structure of Hu sheep. Sixteen Hu sheep were randomly divided into two groups and fed either 0 or 60 g/d of ML. Compared to the control group, sheep fed ML showed a significant increase in AKP (P = 0.027) and GPT (P = 0.002) levels in the blood, while TP (P = 0.001) levels decreased significantly. Additionally, there was an increasing trend in GSH-Px (P = 0.082) and CAT (P = 0.058) levels. After the addition of ML, the abundance of Campylobacterota, Campylobacter, and Mailhella in the hindgut significantly increased (P < 0.05), while the abundance of Alloprevotella, Roseburia, and Prevotellaceae UCG-003 significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Therefore, ML can serve as a natural feed supplement to regulate the immune status of animals, thereby promoting the healthy production of ruminants.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fanim.2024.1469850/fullHu sheepmulberry leaf powderblood metabolismfecal microbiotahealthy
spellingShingle Liangyong Guo
Xingyun Shi
Fang Cao
Shilei Hu
Wenchun Qian
Effects of dietary addition of mulberry leaf powder on blood metabolites and fecal microbiota composition in Hu sheep
Frontiers in Animal Science
Hu sheep
mulberry leaf powder
blood metabolism
fecal microbiota
healthy
title Effects of dietary addition of mulberry leaf powder on blood metabolites and fecal microbiota composition in Hu sheep
title_full Effects of dietary addition of mulberry leaf powder on blood metabolites and fecal microbiota composition in Hu sheep
title_fullStr Effects of dietary addition of mulberry leaf powder on blood metabolites and fecal microbiota composition in Hu sheep
title_full_unstemmed Effects of dietary addition of mulberry leaf powder on blood metabolites and fecal microbiota composition in Hu sheep
title_short Effects of dietary addition of mulberry leaf powder on blood metabolites and fecal microbiota composition in Hu sheep
title_sort effects of dietary addition of mulberry leaf powder on blood metabolites and fecal microbiota composition in hu sheep
topic Hu sheep
mulberry leaf powder
blood metabolism
fecal microbiota
healthy
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fanim.2024.1469850/full
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