Combined supplementation with probiotics and enzymes regulates the performance and microbiota of goats.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effects of B. subtilis C-3102, B. licheniformis SF5-1, and enzyme supplementation on the growth performance, immunity, and rumen microbiota of fattening goats.

Methods: Thirty healthy Yangtze River Delta white goats (body weight: 14.36 ± 2.24 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups with ten goats in each group. The groups were as follows: control group (CON); probiotics group (PRO); and combination group (COM). The feed period lasted for 80 days after a 20-day preparation period. Consequently, growth performance, slaughter performance, serum indexes, rumen fermentation parameters, and microbiota were assessed in goats with added B. subtilis C-3102, B. licheniformis, and a multi-enzyme complex.

Results: The results indicated that supplementation with B. subtilis C-3102, B. licheniformis SF5-1, and a combination with a multi-enzyme complex significantly improved the growth performance (p < 0.05) and the GR value (p = 0.001). Compared with the CON group, PRO and COM groups significantly increased the contents of TNF-α (p < 0.05) and IL-10 (p < 0.01) in the serum, the PRO group significantly increased the isobutyrate concentration of rumen fluid (p < 0.05), the COM group significantly increased the abundance of Ruminococcus_1 and Succiniclastium (p < 0.01), the COM group greatly enriched nitrogen metabolism, glycolysis, and TCA cycle (p < 0.05), in contrast, nucleotides biosynthesis was notably reduced (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Supplementing goats with B. subtilis C-3102, B. licheniformis SF5-1, and multi-enzyme complex improved the performance and immunity of the goats via regulating the rumen microbiota.