Animals最新文献

{"title":"Genetic Diversity Estimation and Genome-Wide Selective Sweep Analysis of the Bazhou Yak.","authors":"Baigao Yang, Hang Zhang, Xiaoyi Feng, Zhou Yu, Jianhua Cao, Yifan Niu, Pengcheng Wan, Gang Liu, Xueming Zhao","doi":"10.3390/ani15060849","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060849","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Bazhou yak, a major native meat yak breed in Xinjiang, China, is renowned for its fast growth rate, strong adaptability, and particularly high intramuscular fat (IMF) content. However, limited knowledge regarding its phylogenetic history and genomic composition has hindered its long-term conservation and utilization. This study evaluated the genetic diversity, population phylogenetics, and genome-wide selective sweep analysis (GWSA) of 100 newly obtained Bazhou yaks through genome resequencing, as well as 340 public yak genomes from nine other populations on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The results revealed moderate diversity, lower genomic inbreeding levels, and rapid linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay in Bazhou yaks. Principal component analysis (PCA) and phylogenetic analysis showed a clear separation of Bazhou yaks from other yak populations, indicating the Bazhou yak as an independent genetic population. Furthermore, less genetic differentiation was found between the Bazhou yak and the Huanhu yak, while ADMIXTURE analysis revealed a common ancestral lineage between Bazhou yaks and Huanhu yaks, indicating an important genetic contribution of the Qinghai yak population to Bazhou yaks. The GWSA identified a total of 833 selected genes in Bazhou yaks using the top 5% interaction windows of both parameters (<i>F_ST</i>, <i>Pi</i> ratio, and XP-EHH). A significant number of these genes are related to fat synthesis and deposition, such as <i>MTOR</i>, <i>APOA1</i>, and <i>GPAT4</i>. In summary, this study sheds light on the phylogenetic status and distinctive genomic features of Bazhou yaks, which facilitates our understanding of the genetic basis of the IMF phenotype in Bazhou yaks.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Sodium Acetate and Sodium Butyrate on the Volatile Compounds in Mare's Milk Based on GC-IMS Analysis.","authors":"Shengchen Zheng, Jianwei Lin, Yong Chen, Changjiang Zang, Fan Yang, Jiahao Li, Xiaobin Li","doi":"10.3390/ani15060844","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060844","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aims to explore the impact of adding sodium acetate and sodium butyrate on the composition, blood biochemical parameters, and volatile flavor compounds of lactating mares' milk. By assessing the influence of these additives on milk flavor enhancement, the findings provide scientific evidence for optimizing flavor characteristics and offer new strategies for improving the sensory attributes of mare milk products. Eighteen lactating Yili mares were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group, a sodium acetate group (85 mg/kg·BM^-1), and a sodium butyrate group (85 mg/kg·BM^-1). The experiment lasted 90 days, with milk yield recorded on days 0, 30, 60, and 90. Milk samples were collected on day 60 (peak lactation) for compositional analysis, and GC-IMS was employed to identify and quantify volatile compounds. Additionally, blood samples were drawn from the jugular vein before morning feeding on day 60 using heparinized tubes to assess key biochemical markers, including glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and urea. The results revealed the following findings: (1) Milk yield and composition: The addition of sodium acetate and sodium butyrate had no significant effect on milk yield. However, both treatment groups exhibited significantly or extremely significantly higher milk fat content compared to the control group, whereas milk protein and lactose levels remained largely unchanged. (2) Blood biochemical indicators: The sodium butyrate group showed an extremely significant increase in urea levels compared to the sodium acetate and control groups. Glucose levels in the sodium acetate group were also significantly higher than in the control group. Moreover, triglyceride levels were markedly elevated in the sodium butyrate group compared to the sodium acetate group, while total bilirubin concentrations were significantly higher in the sodium acetate group than in the control group. (3) Volatile compounds: The addition of these additives led to a significant increase in the diversity and concentration of volatile compounds in mare milk. Notably, esters, aldehydes, and ketones showed substantial enrichment in both treatment groups. The relative abundance of esters such as butyl acetate, L-lactic acid ethyl ester, 1-pentene-3-ol, pentanol, and 3-pentanone increased, alongside a significant rise in aldehydes and ketones, including 2-heptenal and 3-pentanone. In conclusion, sodium acetate and sodium butyrate enhance milk flavor by modulating milk composition and metabolic parameters, providing a scientific foundation for improving the quality of mare milk products.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Heat Stress in Growing-Finishing Pigs: Effects of Low Protein with Increased Crystalline Amino Acids on Growth, Gut Health, Antioxidant Status and Microbiome.","authors":"Jihwan Lee, Sungwoo Park, Hyunju Park, Junseon Hong, Yongmin Kim, Yongdae Jeong, Soojin Sa, Yohan Choi, Joeun Kim","doi":"10.3390/ani15060848","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060848","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A total of sixty crossbred ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) pigs with an initial body weight of 46.34 ± 0.13 kg were randomly assigned to four treatments under thermoneutral (TN, 22 °C) or heat-stress (HS, 31 °C) conditions for 54 d trial (Phase 1: 0-26 d; Phase 2: 27-54 d): a control diet (16% CP in phase 1, 14% CP in phase 2) under TN (PC), a control diet under HS (NC), a low crude protein (LCP) diet (14% CP in phase 1, 12% CP in phase 2) under HS (LCP) and an LCP diet with increased crystalline AA (an increase in 5% in Lys, Met, Thr and Trp based on calculated SID AA) (LCP5) under HS. Experimental treatments consisted of five replicate pens, with three pigs per pen. The results showed that HS reduced (<i>p</i> < 0.05) growth performance and nutrient digestibility compared to TN. However, LCP5 improved (<i>p</i> < 0.05) growth performance and nutrient digestibility compared to other HS groups. Heat stress adversely affected (<i>p</i> < 0.05) intestinal morphology, gut integrity and serum oxidative markers, but these effects were alleviated (<i>p</i> < 0.05) by LCP5 supplementation. Notably, LCP5 improved (<i>p</i> < 0.05) the production of butyric acids among short-chain fatty acid production and decreased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) <i>proteobacteria</i> and <i>Spirochaetota</i> in phylum in feces. These findings highlight the potential of LCP diets supplemented with crystalline AA as an effective nutritional strategy to mitigate the negative effects of HS on pigs, enhancing their performance, gut health and overall welfare in high-temperature environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Research on Energy Supply Optimization of Diets for Songliao Black Growing and Fattening Pigs at a Low Ambient Temperature.","authors":"Zhaoyang Qi, Yu Zhang, Rui Han, Guixin Qin, Hailong Jiang, Dan Jiang, Dongsheng Che","doi":"10.3390/ani15060846","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060846","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this experiment is to investigate the effects of optimizing the dietary energy supply of Songliao Black growing and fattening pigs on their growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, energy metabolism and oxidation energy supply, slaughter performance, and meat quality at a low ambient temperature. Forty-eight 75-day-old Songliao Black growing barrows with an initial weight of 33.38 ± 1.29 kg were randomized into two groups, with four replicates in each group and six pigs in each replicate. Two groups (CON group: low fat, normal energy; TES group: high fat, high energy) were fed isonitrogenous diets with different energy levels and fat contents. The experimental animals were raised at the same ambient temperature (10 ± 1 °C) all day. After 5 days of pre-feeding, the formal experiment began. Four Songliao Black barrows weighing approximately 80 kg were selected from each group for a five-day experimental period for digestibility and metabolism and respiratory calorimetry tests. All pigs (185 days of age) were slaughtered simultaneously at the end of the 110-day experimental period when their average body weight reached approximately 110 kg. The results showed that the average daily feed intake of the TES group was lower than that of the CON group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, the feed-to-gain ratio was lower in the TES group during the fattening period (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, the crude fat digestibility, deposition energy, energy deposition rate, deposition energy of fat, and fat oxidation were higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and the intake and urinary nitrogen, carbohydrate oxidation, urinary energy, and protein oxidation were lower in the TES group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, the serum high-density lipoprotein concentration, low-density lipoprotein concentration, and triglyceride concentration were higher in the TES group (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase concentrations were lower in the TES group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, the backfat thickness was higher in the TES group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, the weight gain/digestible protein and live lean meat mass/digestible protein were higher in the TES group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, the yellowness (b*_45min) value of the longissimus thoracis was higher in the TES group (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and the shear force was lower (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Therefore, at a low ambient temperature, appropriately increasing the levels of dietary fat and energy was beneficial for improving the production performance and energy utilization efficiency and reducing CO₂ emissions and protein oxidation, saving protein resources of Songliao Black pigs.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Phytogenic Supplement (Alkaloids and Flavonoids) in the Control of <i>Eimeria</i> spp. in Experimentally Challenged Broiler Chickens.","authors":"Anne-Sophie Hascoët, Paulina Torres-Celpa, Roberto Riquelme-Neira, Héctor Hidalgo-Olate","doi":"10.3390/ani15060847","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060847","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Avian coccidiosis remains a problematic challenge in poultry farms worldwide, with increasing concerns about resistance to conventional anticoccidial drugs, highlighting the need for alternative control strategies. A total of 256 male broilers (Ross 308), 1 day old, were randomly assigned to four experimental groups (eight replicates, each containing eight chickens) to evaluate the effectiveness of a phytogenic supplement against <i>Eimeria</i> spp. At 14 days, broilers were challenged via oral gavage with a mixture of six strains of live <i>Eimeria</i> spp. oocysts (4.0 × 10⁴<i>Eimeria</i> spp. oocysts per bird). The groups included a negative control (no anticoccidials or challenge), a positive control (coccidial challenge, no anticoccidials), a phytogenic-supplemented diet based on alkaloids and flavonoids, and a diet with anticoccidials (narasin and nicarbazin). Fecal samples were collected for oocyst counts from day 14 to 23, and at 23 days (9 days post-infection), intestinal lesions and mucosa measurements were evaluated. The oocyst counts in the phytogenic and anticoccidial groups were significantly lower than in the positive control (with a reduction of 61.3% and 71.6%, respectively, compared to the positive control) (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with no significant differences between the phytogenic supplement and anticoccidials. The phytogenic supplement provided intermediate protection based on histopathological scores with a significantly lower histopathology score than the positive control but significantly higher than the negative control (<i>p</i> < 0.05). No differences in body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, or mortality were observed across groups during the trial, likely due to the moderate challenge applied. In conclusion, the phytogenic supplement demonstrated anticoccidial activity comparable to narasin and nicarbazin without compromising productivity, warranting further research into its mechanisms, resistance impact, and commercial application.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Cryoprotectant Effects of Safflower Polysaccharides on the Quality of Frozen-Thawed Boar Sperm.","authors":"Jingchun Li, Yingying Dong, Hechuan Wang, Qun Zhang, Qing Guo, Yanbing Li","doi":"10.3390/ani15060843","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060843","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The low resistance of boar sperm to cryopreservation dictates that adding antioxidants and energetic substances to the diluent to improve sperm quality is necessary. This study is designed to assess the impact of various concentrations of safflower polysaccharides (SPSs; 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g/L) on the quality of boar sperm following freezing and thawing. The results of the study showed that the supplementation of 1.5 g/L SPS significantly enhanced the motility, average path velocity, straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity, beat cross frequency, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, and DNA integrity compared with the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In addition, the supplementation of 1.5 g/L SPS significantly enhanced the total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione peroxidase activity, and catalase activity while significantly decreasing malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide content (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Therefore, the supplement SPS has potentially positive implications for improving the quality of cryopreserved boar sperm, and the recommended concentration is 1.5 g/L SPS.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Theaflavin Reduces Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Oxidized Protein-Induced Granulosa Cells and Improves Production Performance in Laying Hens.","authors":"Ling Zhou, Li Lv, Pinyao Zhao, Jinwei Zhang, Yan Liu, Wei Zhao, Keying Zhang, Shuwen Du","doi":"10.3390/ani15060845","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060845","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aims to investigate the effects of theaflavins on production performance and egg quality in laying hens fed oxidized corn gluten meal while evaluating their antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects on granulosa cells (GCs) from chicken follicles. In total, 600 Lohmann commercial laying hens, aged 64 weeks, were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: a control group, a theaflavin-supplemented group, an oxidized corn gluten meal group, and a combination group. After 8 weeks of feeding, production performance, egg quality, and antioxidant status, along with GC apoptosis and the antioxidant capacity of eggs, were measured. The results demonstrated that oxidized corn gluten meal significantly reduced production performance, antioxidant capacity, and egg quality in laying hens while increasing GC apoptosis. Theaflavin significantly enhanced egg production during weeks 5-8, along with superoxide dismutase activity in the liver, serum, and ovary, alongside egg white reducing power and egg yolk threonine content (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Additionally, theaflavin decreased feed conversion ratios during weeks 5-8 and 1-8, lowered egg white malondialdehyde content (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and inhibited GC apoptosis. In conclusion, oxidized protein reduced production performance, while theaflavin supplementation partially alleviated its adverse effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modifying the Attention Bias Test to Assess the Emotional State of Dogs.","authors":"Holly G Molinaro, Ella Smith, Esmé Crawford-Paz Soldán, Clive D L Wynne","doi":"10.3390/ani15060840","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060840","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The attention bias test is an established cognitive method used to evaluate emotional states in farm animals by examining their response to a stimulus under varying emotional conditions. This study adapted this test for dogs, utilizing naturally induced emotional states in place of pharmacological interventions. Dogs were emotionally primed into positive, neutral or negative emotional states through interactions with their owners before encountering a novel, mildly threatening stimulus (a fan with colorful streamers attached) in a controlled arena. Behavioral responses were observed and recorded, revealing distinct patterns linked to emotional states. Notably, dogs in the negative condition exhibited increased pacing, reduced vocalizations, and a tendency to remain near the exit door-behaviors consistent with heightened anxiety. In contrast, dogs in the positive and neutral conditions showed less pronounced behavioral differentiation. These findings highlight the potential of the attention bias test as a valuable tool for assessing emotional states in dogs. This application underscores the importance of further research to refine methodologies, deepen our understanding of canine emotions and enhance animal welfare practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Influence of Different Light Day Distribution in Hy-Line W36 Laying Hens on Egg Production and Egg Quality.","authors":"Alexis J Clark, Ari J Bragg, Abdulmohsen Hussen Alqhtani, Mireille Arguelles-Ramos, Ahmed Ali","doi":"10.3390/ani15060838","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060838","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Laying hens are commonly provided with 16 h of continuous light and 8 h of continuous darkness, with eggshell calcification largely developing during dark hours when dietary calcium is depleted simultaneously with the daily fasting period in laying hens. This phenomenon is thought to be the leading cause of osteoporosis in modern commercial flocks. This trial examined how disrupting the midnight phase affected egg quality in Hy-line W36 hens assigned to control (C) or treatment groups (W1 or W2) from 20 to 70 weeks of age. C hens received 16 h of light and 8 h of dark. W1 hens received 1 h of scotophase interruption, whereas W2 hens received 2 h of scotophase interruption. Across weeks, performance, production, and egg quality measures were measured (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Scotophase interruption displayed a positive effect on the treatment groups in terms of HDEP (week 50: <i>p</i> = 0.028, 0.016; week 70 = 0.031,0.022), damaged eggs (week 50: <i>p</i> = 0.012, 0.021, week 70: <i>p</i> = 0.019, 0.025), eggshell weight (week 30: <i>p</i> = 0.021, 0.027; week 50: <i>p</i> = 0.022, 0.024; week 70; <i>p</i> = 0.018, 0.019), eggshell thickness (week 30: <i>p</i> = 0.017, 0.022; week 50: <i>p</i> = 0.018, 0.031; week 70; <i>p</i> = 0.029, 0.033), ash percent week 30: <i>p</i> = 0.027, 0.021; week 50: <i>p</i> = 0.012, 0.014; week 70; <i>p</i> = 0.031, 0.034), and eggshell strength (week 30: <i>p</i> = 0.025, 0.023; week 50: <i>p</i> = 0.019, 0.021; week 70; <i>p</i> = 0.029, 0.015) in W1 and W2 birds compared to C birds.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Feed Restriction on Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilisation, Biochemical Parameters, and the Caecum Microbiota and Metabolites in Rabbits.","authors":"Qi Lu, Jixiao Qin, Shuanglong Xie, Rui Chen, Xu Wang, Yiqing Xu, Yiming Ban, Chengcheng Gao, Peiyao Li, Di Zhou, Xingzhou Tian","doi":"10.3390/ani15060842","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060842","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The main objective of this research was to observe the effects of feed restriction on caecum microbiota and metabolites in rabbits. Forty-eight male 8-week-old rabbits with similar body weights (1872.11 ± 180.85 g) were randomly assigned to two treatments according to completely randomized design: (1) the control group received <i>ad libitum</i> access to feed (AL), and (2) the treatment received 80% of the feed consumed by the control (FR). The results showed that FR did not differ (<i>p</i> > 0.05) for average daily weight gain or feed conversion ratio between the two groups. FR treatment led to a significant increase (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in acid detergent fibre apparent faecal digestibility, nitrogen digestibility and retention, and gross energy digestibility and retention. The FR treatment showed significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) lower blood triglycerides, creatinine, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, malondialdehyde, and hydroxyl free radicals but significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) greater total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase. The FR group presented greater (<i>p</i> < 0.05) <i>Firmicutes</i> and <i>Ruminococcus</i> abundances but a lower (<i>p</i> < 0.05) <i>Akkermansiaceae</i> abundance in the caecal content. Moreover, 222 differentiated metabolites were identified, and beta-alanine metabolism was the top enriched pathway. Collectively, FR can improve nutrient utilisation, lipid metabolism, antioxidant activity, caecum microbiota, and metabolites in rabbits.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}