Probiotics in milk replacer influence lamb immune function and meat quality

Abstract

This study was undertaken to assess the effect of milk replacer (MR) containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and a mix of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum on lamb immune response and on lamb meat quality. A 6-week-trial was conducted on 40 male Comisana lambs, divided into four groups, fed maternal milk (MM), MR, MR with L. acidophilus supplementation (MRL) and MR with a mix (1 : 1) of B. animalis subsp. lactis and B. longum subsp. longum supplementations (MRB). Lambs fed MR containing a mix of bifidobacteria showed the highest in vivo cellular immune response to phytohemagglutinin, whereas MM and MRB showed the highest antibody response to ovalbumin. At day 11 of the trial, MRL displayed the highest value of Interleukin-10; differences disappeared among groups subsequently. Blood cholesterol levels in lambs fed MR containing L. acidophilus was almost halved compared with that found in MM and MR groups. Meat from artificially reared lambs was characterized by trans-11 18:1 and total conjugated 18:2n-6, whereas meat from the dam-suckled lambs was characterized by 14:0, cis-9 14:1 and 16:0. Polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio was higher in meat of MR, MRL and MRB than in MM lambs. Meat from artificially reared lamb fed MR containing probiotics showed an improved fatty acid profile for human diet.

Effects of a multi-strain probiotic on growth, health, and fecal bacterial flora of neonatal dairy calves

“…Various bacteria have been used as probiotics in ruminants, mainly including yeast S. cerevisiae, Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Propionibacterium spp [8]. The combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium has been found to have positive effects on the immune function of lambs [9]. Probiotics can stimulate the production of mucus by intestinal goblet cells and are essential for protecting the host from colonisation and invasion by pathogens, as well as lubricating the intestinal epithelium [10].…”

Recent Advances in the Use of Probiotics to Improve Meat Quality of Small Ruminants: A Review

“…In addition, dietary probiotic supplements might also alter the composition of volatile compounds, which is linked to the quality attributes of meat [ 5 , 12 ]. In addition, probiotics possess antioxidant properties [ 59 ] and aid in improving the poly unsaturated fatty acid profile in meat [ 60 ]. Some probiotic strains can produce bacteriocins that act as protective agents against lipid oxidation and keep positive organoleptic attributes in meat.…”

Вплив Bacillus Subtilis На Поросят На Відлученні

“…Пробіотики покращують показники зростання, позитивно впливають на мікробіоту кишечника та імунну систему (Santillo et al, 2012). Мікробіологічний аналіз калу показав взаємозв'язок кишкової мікробіоти між потомством матері та поросятами, народженими від свиноматок, які отримували пробіотики, з аналогічною популяцією фекальних мікробів, що й у свиноматок.…”