Dietary sublancin or oregano essential oil enhances growth and immunity in goat kids via modulating colonic microbiota and bile acids.
Oregano essential oil and sublancin improved growth and immune parameters in goat kids, but their combination requires further optimization.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the adipotide (prohibitin-tp01) corpusSummary and findings
This study measured the effects of dietary sublancin and oregano essential oil (OEO) on growth performance, immunity, colonic microbiota, and bile acid metabolism in 24 goat kids. The trial lasted 139 days with groups receiving control, OEO (7 g/d), sublancin (2 g/d), or a half-dose combination. Results indicated improvements in growth and immune parameters with both treatments compared to control.
Abstract
The gut microbiota-bile acid (BA)-immune network is critical for ruminant health. This study investigated the effects of dietary sublancin or oregano essential oil (OEO) on growth performance, immunity, colonic microbiota, and BA metabolism in fattening goat kids. Twenty-four 3-month-old Saanen goat kids (16.08 ± 1.29 kg) were randomly assigned to four groups (<i>n</i> = 6): control (C), OEO (O; 7 g/d), sublancin (S; 2 g/d), and half-dose combination (M; 3.5 g/d OEO + 1 g/d sublancin). The 139-d trial showed that, compared with the C group, OEO supplementation enriched colonic Bacteroidota phylum and Muribaculaceae family, and increased anti-inflammatory secondary bile acids (SBAs) and tauro-beta-muricholic acid, elevated serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA levels (<i>P</i> < 0.05), decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines and malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and increased average daily gain (ADG) (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Sublancin enriched Firmicutes and <i>Christensenellaceae_R-7_group</i>, increased anti-inflammatory SBAs (especially taurohyodeoxycholic acid), elevated IgA, IgG, complement 3, and complement 4 levels (<i>P</i> < 0.05), suppressed interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α concentrations (<i>P</i> < 0.001), increased catalase (CAT) activity and decreased MDA level (<i>P</i> < 0.05), and improved ADG and feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Despite exhibiting the optimal growth performance, the M group displayed Bacteroidota enrichment, decreased most BAs but increased oxidized BAs mainly including 12-dehydrocholic acid and 7-ketodeoxycholic acid concentrations (<i>P</i> < 0.01), with preserved anti-inflammatory effects but limited immune enhancement. Taurohyodeoxycholic acid was positively correlated with <i>Christensenellaceae_R-7_group</i>, complement 3, and complement 4 (<i>P</i> < 0.05), while 12-dehydrocholic acid and 7-ketodeoxycholic acid positively correlated with Bacteroidota and IL-10 (<i>P</i> < 0.01). In conclusion, OEO and sublancin individually improved physiological status of goat kids via modulating colonic microbiota-BA metabolism, whereas their half-dose combination requires an optimized ratio.
Background
This paper addresses the role of gut microbiota and bile acids in ruminant health, specifically in goat kids. Prior research has established connections between dietary components and immune responses, but the specific effects of sublancin and oregano essential oil on growth and immunity were not well understood. This study aims to fill that gap by investigating these dietary interventions.
Methods
The study utilized a randomized design with 24 three-month-old Saanen goat kids, divided into four groups (n=6 each). The groups received control, oregano essential oil (7 g/d), sublancin (2 g/d), or a half-dose combination (3.5 g/d OEO + 1 g/d sublancin) over a 139-day period. Primary outcome measures included growth performance, immune markers, and changes in colonic microbiota and bile acid metabolism.
Results
The primary endpoint showed increased average daily gain (ADG) with OEO and sublancin supplementation, P < 0.05. OEO supplementation enriched colonic Bacteroidota and increased anti-inflammatory secondary bile acids. Sublancin enriched Firmicutes and elevated IgA, IgG, and complement levels, while suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines. The M group displayed decreased bile acids but increased oxidized bile acids, P < 0.01.
Interpretation
The findings suggest that both OEO and sublancin can enhance growth and immune responses in goat kids, aligning with previous studies on dietary impacts on ruminant health. However, the clinical significance of these findings is uncertain, particularly given the small sample size and the specific population studied. The results may not be applicable to other species or settings, and the combination treatment's limited immune enhancement warrants further investigation.
Key findings
- Increased average daily gain (ADG) with OEO and sublancin supplementation, P < 0.05.
- Elevated serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA levels with OEO, P < 0.05.
- Sublancin increased complement 3 and complement 4 levels, P < 0.05.
- Suppressed interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α concentrations with sublancin, P < 0.001.
- M group showed decreased most bile acids but increased oxidized bile acids, P < 0.01.
Limitations
- Small sample size (n=24).
- Short duration of 139 days may not capture long-term effects.
- Results may not be generalizable beyond Saanen goat kids.
- Potential confounding factors not controlled for.
- No long-term follow-up to assess durability of effects.