Effects of mulberry leaf silage on antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity and rumen bacterial community of lambs

Abstract

Background Rumen is a natural fermentation system and the microorganisms inside can effectively utilize plant bioresource and interact with host metabolism. Here, analysis of rumen microbiome, together with animal performance and serum metabolism in a lamb model were performed to identify the potential use of mulberry leaf silage (MS) to replace alfalfa silage (AS) as a new functional feed resource and to mining the novel specific mulberry leaf associated rumen bacteria interact with host metabolism. Results The lambs fed with MS diet showed improved antioxidant capacity and immune function compared to those fed AS diet. The MS diet significantly altered rumen microbiota α- and β-diversity and taxonomic composition. Microbial analysis revealed that Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Schwartzia were enhanced, and Ruminococcaceae UCG-010 and Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group were down-regulated in the rumen of MS group. A strong association was also found between these rumen microbial taxa and host antioxidant and immunomodulatory capacity. Conclusion These findings indicated that mulberry leaf silage can be a high-quality feed source or bioactive pharmaceutical that is responsible for ruminant’s health benefits. The modified rumen microbial community by mulberry leaf silage were associated with the enhanced antioxidant capacity and immunomodulatory of lambs.

Effect of the Replacement of Maize Silage and Soyabean Meal with Mulberry Silage in the Diet of Hu Lambs on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Indices, Slaughter Performance, and Meat Quality

“…A large number of studies have confirmed that adding mulberry silage to the diet can improve production performance [ 18 ], enhance the antioxidant capacity [ 19 ], improve meat quality [ 13 ] and increase economic benefits [ 20 ]. At the same time, it plays an important role in maintaining ruminant health and changing the rumen bacterial-community structure [ 21 ]. However, it has not been fully utilized as feedstuff for ruminants.…”

Silage Mixtures of Alfalfa with Sweet Sorghum Alter Blood and Rumen Physiological Status and Rumen Microbiota of Karakul Lambs

“…The concentrations of creatinine, total cholesterol (T-CHO), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), the activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum were determined by commercial kits (Jiancheng Biological Technology Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China) by following the manufacturer’s instructions [ 15 ].…”

Advances in the Application of Phytogenic Extracts as Antioxidants and Their Potential Mechanisms in Ruminants

“…The application of plants or their extracts as feed components or feed additives has also been evaluated in sheep and goats ( Table 3 ). In a previous study, a diet with mulberry leaf silage as a new feed resource, replacing alfalfa silage, improved the antioxidant capability and immunity of lambs and correspondingly enhanced their health by enhancing the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the rumen while inhibiting Ruminococcaceae UCG-010 and Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014 group [ 105 ]. These beneficial effects were attributed to the mulberry leaf’s content of polyphenols and polysaccharides, as these bioactive compounds can mitigate inflammation processes by enhancing serum IFN-γ levels and influencing the microbiota [ 106 ].…”