文献类型： 外文期刊

作者： Zhang, Mengen ¹ ; Zhang, Anguo ¹ ; Han, Rui ¹ ; Xu, Chao ¹ ; Zhang, Naifeng ² ; Jiang, Xichun ³ ; Wang, Shiqin ¹ ;

作者机构： 1.Anhui Sci & Technol Univ, Coll Anim Sci, Anhui Prov Key Lab Anim Nutr Regulat & Hlth, Chuzhou, Peoples R China

2.Chinese Acad Agr Sci, Feed Res Inst, Key Lab Feed Biotechnol, Minist Agr & Rural Affairs, Beijing, Peoples R China

3.Anhui Acad Agr Sci, Inst Anim & Vet Sci, Hefei, Peoples R China

关键词： Lactation intervention; Acremonium terricola culture; yeast culture; microbial community dynamics; flora function prediction

期刊名称：JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE （ 影响因子：2.9； 五年影响因子：3.3 ）

ISSN： 0021-8812

年卷期： 2025 年 103 卷

页码：

收录情况： SCI

摘要： Ruminant physiology and nutrition undergo significant changes during lactation. This study aimed to investigate alterations in gut microbiota throughout lactation and examined the impact of supplementation with Acremonium terricola culture (ATC) and yeast culture (YC) on the gut microbiota of lactating ewes. Forty-five healthy Hu sheep ewes in late pregnancy (approximately 80 d of gestation) were randomly assigned to 3 groups. The control group (CON) was fed a basic diet, while the experimental groups received the same diet plus an extra 9 g/d of ATC (ATC) or 20 g/d of YC (YC). A total of 108 fecal microbial samples were collected from ewes at 1, 7, 30, and 45 d postpartum respectively. The samples were subjected to microbial sequencing utilizing the Illumina MiSeq-PE300 platform. The results indicated that the diversity of the fecal microbiota exhibited a pattern of initial increase, followed by a decrease, and then stabilization after parturition. The highest diversity of the microbiota was observed on the 7th day postpartum in the ewes. Supplementation with YC improved the fecal microbiota structure in lactating ewes, reduced the fecal alpha index, increased Firmicutes abundance, and decreased potentially harmful Spirochaetota bacteria (P < 0.05). Additionally, the inclusion of ATC and YC positively affected the relative abundance of specific bacterial genera, such as the Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group, Clostridia UCG-014, and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group (P < 0.05). The outcomes of the functional prediction analysis indicated that ATC and YC predominantly influence health status and bodily metabolism through their involvement in metabolic processes and the processing of genetic information. This includes reducing the biosynthesis and metabolism of lipopolysaccharides, enhancing key metabolic pathways, such as amino acids, and improving nicotinic acid/niacinamide metabolism (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the critical window for modulating the gut microbiota of lactating ewes is within the first 7 d postpartum. Supplementation with ATC and YC can adjust fecal microbial structure and function, positively impacting overall health. YC is more effective than ATC in these aspects. These results offer new insights into the regulation of intestinal microbiota during lactation and help identify the optimal timing for such interventions. The lactation process induces profound physiological and gut microbiota remodeling in ruminants. Considering global restrictions on antibiotic use in livestock feed due to safety concerns, there's a critical need for safe and efficient feed additives to support sustainable and high-quality animal farming. The Acremonium terricola culture (ATC) derived from Cordyceps gunnii through fermentation that has been shown to boost nutrient digestibility, increase beneficial rumen microbes. The yeast culture (YC) is a microecological supplement enriched with metabolic products and vital nutrients such as beta-glucan, mannans, enzymes, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and unidentified growth factors. The purpose of this research was to investigate the characteristics of the fecal microbiota of lactating ewes with the supplementation of ATC and YC. Forty-five late-gestation ewes were randomly assigned to 3 treatments: CON (fed a basic diet), ATC (received the same diet and supplement ATC 9 g/d), YC (received the same diet and supplement YC 20 g/d). A total of 108 fecal microbial samples were collected from the ewes at 1, 7, 30, and 45 d postpartum respectively. The critical window for modulating gut microbiota in lactating ewes is within the first week postpartum, supplementation with ATC and YC can adjust fecal microbial structure and function, positively impacting overall health. These findings provide new insights into the intestinal microbiota regulation during lactation and identify optimal intervention timing.