Yeast Peptides Improve the Intestinal Barrier Function and Alleviate Weaning Stress by Changing the Intestinal Microflora Structure of Weaned Lambs

Abstract

Early weaning stress in lambs leads to decreased feed intake, damage to intestinal morphology, changes in the microbial flora structure, and subsequent complications. Yeast peptides are antimicrobial peptides with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and bacteriostasis effects. To study the effects of yeast peptides on relieving weaning stress in lambs, 54 lambs were randomly divided into three groups: ewe-reared (ER), yeast-peptide-treated (AP), and early-weaned (EW) lambs. The body weight and dry matter intake did not significantly differ among all groups. After weaning, the daily gain and feed conversion rate decreased significantly (p < 0.01), but AP showed an upward trend. In the EW group, immunoglobulin (Ig) levels changed significantly post-weaning (IgG decreased; IgA and IgM increased); the villi shortened, the crypt depth increased, and the villi height/crypt depth decreased (p < 0.001). The abundance and diversity of microflora among all groups were not significantly different. A column coordinate analysis showed significant differences in the intestinal microbial structure between the AP and EW groups. Lactobacillus, Aeriscardovia, Ruminosaceae_UCG-014, and Catenisphaera may play key roles in alleviating weaning stress in lambs. Our study provides new clues for alleviating weaning stress in lambs by describing the influence of yeast peptides on the intestinal microflora during weaning.

Yeast peptides alleviate lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal barrier damage in rabbits involving Toll-like receptor signaling pathway modulation and gut microbiota regulation

“…a-c Means with no common superscript within each row are significantly (p < 0.05, n = 8) different. improve the immune ability of animals, and thus improve the growth performance and health level of animals (16). In this investigation, we examined the impact of incorporating dietary yeast peptides on intestinal barrier and inflammation in rabbit subjected to LPS challenge.…”

“…Yeast peptide is a kind of antibacterial peptide produced by fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae , which can improve the intestinal environment, regulate the balance of intestinal flora, improve the immune ability of animals, and thus improve the growth performance and health level of animals ( 16 ). In this investigation, we examined the impact of incorporating dietary yeast peptides on intestinal barrier and inflammation in rabbit subjected to LPS challenge.…”

“…Numerous animal experiments have shown that LPS induces severe intestinal damage, including villi atrophy, mucosal detachment, and deepening of crypts ( 20 , 21 ). In contrast, yeast peptides shield intestinal villi from damage, maintaining the normal structure and morphology of the intestine ( 16 ). In our study, we found that exposure to LPS led to significant congestion in the rabbit intestine, along with reduced villi height, VCR, and cecal thickness in the jejunum, indicating acute damage.…”

Effects of Alhagi maurorum Medik polysaccharide derived from different regions on the intestinal immune functions of lambs

“…Furthermore, compared with normal weaned lambs, early weaned lambs have significantly decreased intestina lgA antibody content, shortened jejuna villi and increased crypt depth. But after yeast peptide treatment, the length of jejuna villi increased and crypt depth was decreased, which showed its good therapeutic effect on intestinal injury and intestinal immune recovery ( Li et al, 2023 ). Cai et al treated cyclophosphamide immunosuppressant model mice with A. maurorum Medik Fruit polysaccharide (AH) and found that AH could significantly increase the height of villi and reduce the crypt depth of duodenum, jejunum and ileum of mice, which is good for immune system ( Cai et al, 2021a ).…”

Review of yeast culture concerning the interactions between gut microbiota and young ruminant animals

“…Post-weaning, serum cortisol levels rise, and at the intestinal level, weaning stress disrupts gut microbiota homeostasis, creating favorable conditions for pathogen proliferation, which in turn leads to increased morbidity and mortality among young animals. The effects of weaning stress on the intestinal development and flora in young ruminants (1,(68)(69)(70)(71)(72) are summarized in Table 2.…”