AUTHOR=Shao Yuexin , Zhang Xian , Zhang Huawen , Tian Bowen , Weng Yunan , Huang Jiangtao , Lu Christopher D. , Shi Huaiping 

TITLE=Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Bovine Lactoferricin on Rumen Microbiota, Lactation, and Health in Dairy Goats

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.722303

DOI=10.3389/fnut.2021.722303

ISSN=2296-861X

ABSTRACT=<p>This study aimed to investigate the biological effects of supplementation of bovine lactoferricin (BLFc) at the rate of 100 mg/kg/day (LF-1) or 200 mg/kg/day (LF-2) in lactating dairy goats. Dietary BLFc supplementation increased the concentration of lactoferrin (LF) in the milk and serum (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) without affecting the feed intake. In the LF-1 group, serum Fe, total antioxidant (T-AOC), and immunoglobulin A (IgA) were increased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05), while malondialdehyde (MDA) was decreased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). In the LF-2 group, ruminal fluid pH value was decreased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05), and the composition of ruminal microflora on day 42 was more diversified. <italic>Firmicutes</italic> phylum in the LF-2 group was the most abundant phyla. In contrast, <italic>Bacteroidetes</italic> phylum in the control group and the LF-1 group were the most abundant. Lower milk somatic cell count and higher IgA were observed in the LF-1 group and the LF-2 group than those in the control group (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). These results suggested beneficial effects of supplementation of 100 mg/kg/day BLFc on reducing the oxidative stress and altering diversity of ruminal microflora.</p>