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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Anim. Sci.
Sec. Animal Nutrition
Volume 5 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fanim.2024.1469850
This article is part of the Research Topic Alternative Feed Ingredients for Sustainable Livestock Production. View all 9 articles

Effects of Dietary Addition of Mulberry Leaf Powder on Blood Metabolites and Fecal Microbiota Composition in Hu Sheep

Provisionally accepted
Liangyong Guo Liangyong Guo Xingyun Shi Xingyun Shi *Fang Cao Fang Cao *Shilei Hu Shilei Hu *Wenchun Qian Wenchun Qian *
  • Huzhou Key Laboratory of Innovation and Application of Agricultural Germplasm Resources,, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    In livestock production, ruminant feed resources are often scarce, and numerous challenges arise during production, such as immune disorders and oxidative stress. Mulberry leaves are rich in various nutrients and exhibit significant antioxidant and immune-regulating properties.Therefore, they can be used as an unconventional feed resource in livestock production. This study investigated the effects of mulberry leaves (ML) as a feed supplement on the blood biochemical parameters and hindgut microbial structure of Hu sheep. Sixteen Hu sheep were randomly divided into two groups and fed either 0 or 60 g/d of ML. Compared to the control group, sheep fed ML showed a significant increase in AKP (P = 0.027) and GPT (P = 0.002) levels in the blood, while TP (P = 0.001) levels decreased significantly. Additionally, there was an increasing trend in GSH-Px (P = 0.082) and CAT (P = 0.058) levels. After the addition of ML, the abundance of Campylobacterota, Campylobacter, and Mailhella in the hindgut significantly increased (P < 0.05), while the abundance of Alloprevotella, Roseburia, and Prevotellaceae UCG-003 significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Therefore, ML can serve as a natural feed supplement to regulate the immune status of animals, thereby promoting the healthy production of ruminants.

    Keywords: Hu sheep, Mulberry leaf powder, Blood metabolism, fecal microbiota, healthy

    Received: 24 Jul 2024; Accepted: 18 Nov 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Guo, Shi, Cao, Hu and Qian. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Xingyun Shi, Huzhou Key Laboratory of Innovation and Application of Agricultural Germplasm Resources,, Huzhou University, Huzhou, 313000, Zhejiang, China
    Fang Cao, Huzhou Key Laboratory of Innovation and Application of Agricultural Germplasm Resources,, Huzhou University, Huzhou, 313000, Zhejiang, China
    Shilei Hu, Huzhou Key Laboratory of Innovation and Application of Agricultural Germplasm Resources,, Huzhou University, Huzhou, 313000, Zhejiang, China
    Wenchun Qian, Huzhou Key Laboratory of Innovation and Application of Agricultural Germplasm Resources,, Huzhou University, Huzhou, 313000, Zhejiang, China

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