Dietary Energy Level Impacts the Performance of Donkeys by Manipulating the Gut Microbiome and Metabolome.

ABSTRACT: Considerable evidence suggests that dietary energy levels and gut microbiota are pivotal for animal health and productivity. However, little information exists about the correlations among dietary energy level, performance, and the gut microbiota and metabolome of donkeys. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which dietary energy content dictates the growth performance by modulating the intestinal microbiome and metabolome of donkeys. Thirty-six nine-month-old male Dezhou donkeys with similar body weights were randomly assigned to two groups fed low- or high-energy diets (LE or HE). The results showed that donkeys fed HE had increased (p < 0.05) the average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (G/F) compared with those that received LE diet. The gut micro

SUBMITTER: Zhang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8531409 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature