ABSTRACT: Effects of Lycium barbarum branches and leaves on growth performance, slaughter performance, rumen fermentation parameters and rumen microbiota in Hu sheep
Project description:Lycium barbarum residue contains abundant bioactive nutrients which can be used as feed supplement. This study investigated the effects of fermented and non-fermented Lycium barbarum residues (RFW and RW) on the meat quality and immunity of sheep (Ovis aries). Fifty-four Tan sheep were randomly divided into control, RFW or RW treatments. Data showed that RFW and RW increased the carcass weight, fat content, ash content and reduced the cooking loss of lamb. RFW performed more significant effects on activating immune-related genes than those of RW. The expression of chemokines and immune-related pathways, such as signaling pathways of interleukin-17 signaling pathway and NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, were elevated in sheep fed RFW. RW increased the diversity in rumen metabolites, especially compositions of lipids, organic acids and organ heterocyclic compounds. RFW affected numerous compounds which are closely correlated with the activation of immune genes. In conclusion, RFW could represent a valuable strategy to improve growth performance and immunity of sheep
Project description:The causes of male sterility of Lycium barbarum were analyzed by comparing the anther transcriptomes of fertile and sterile lines
2025-07-23 | GSE236751 | GEO
Project description:Lycium barbarum byproducts improve the rumen microbial community structure and promote rumen fermentation in sheep grazing on sown pastures
Project description:To investigate the protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-glycoprotein (LBP) in the radiation-induced HaCaT cell injury, We performed gene expression profiling analysis using data obtained from RNA-seq of HaCaT cells at 3h after radiation.
Project description:Ruminant livestock are one of the major contributors to carbon emission contributing the global warming issue. Methane (CH4) produced from enteric microbial fermentation of feed in the reticulo-rumen are known to differ between sheep with different digestive function and fermentation products such as metabolites. However, the molecular mechanism underpinning differences in methane emission remains to be fully elucidated. We extracted a membrane and cytosolic protein fraction of rumen epithelium proteins from both high (H) and low (L) CH4 emitting sheep. Protein abundance differences between the phenotypes were quantified using SWATH-mass spectrometry. We identified 92 proteins annotated as cell surface transporters, of which only solute carrier family (SLC) 40A1 had a greater fold change of protein expression in the high methane emission phenotype. The main difference in protein abundance we found were related to the metabolism of glucose, lactate and processes of cell defence against microbes in the epithelium of sheep in each group. To best of our knowledge, this represents one of the most comprehensive proteomes of ovine rumen epithelium to date.
Project description:<p>Background: Hu sheep, renowned for their prolificacy and economic value, have been introduced to Xinjiang for intensive farming operations. However, their suboptimal adaptation to local harsh environments limits growth efficiency and health management. In contrast, Duolang sheep, an indigenous Xinjiang breed, exhibit exceptional environmental resilience, largely attributed to their unique rumen microbiome enriched with fiber-degrading bacteria, which enhance roughage utilization and stress tolerance. To address Hu sheep’s adaptive challenges, this study applies Ligilactobacillus salivarius KS1018, a probiotic strain isolated from Duolang sheep, to Hu sheep, investigating its role in improving rumen microbial homeostasis, metabolic adaptation, and physiological resilience under Xinjiang’s environmental conditions.</p><p>Results: Thirty-two male Hu lambs were allocated into four groups: Control (C) and three treatment groups receiving daily doses of 0.5×109 CFU/d (low-dose group, LLS, 1.0×109 CFU/d (medium-dose group, MLS), or 1.5×109 CFU/d (high-dose group, HLS) for 56 days. Although growth performance did not reveal significant enhancement, supplementation with the high dose of L. salivarius KS1018 (HLS group) significantly reduced ruminal NH3-N (p < 0.05) and increased total VFAs (p = 0.043), alongside elevated serum triglycerides (p = 0.021) and β-hydroxybutyrate (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced nitrogen utilization and ketogenesis. Rumen metabolomics revealed dose-dependent metabolic shifts: group HLS prioritized oxidative phosphorylation and pyrimidine metabolism (p < 0.001), while group MLS upregulated branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis (p < 0.01). Procrustes analysis confirmed strong microbiome-metabolome coordination (M2 = 0.56, p = 0.001), linking Lachnospira and Negativicutes enrichment to VFA production and redox homeostasis. Group HLS exhibited a decline in ruminal pH, suggesting a potential risk of subacute acidosis at higher doses.</p><p>Conclusions: L. salivarius KS1018 optimizes rumen metabolism through microbial-host crosstalk, improving nitrogen efficiency and stress resilience in Hu sheep. The strain promoted ketogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation pathways, which alleviated oxidative stress and enhanced immune function under environmental challenges. Notably, the arid-adaptive genetic traits likely contribute to stabilizing rumen microbial networks, mimicking the superior roughage utilization capacity of its native Duolang sheep host. Our findings highlight the potential of L. salivarius KS1018 as a metabolic modulator in ruminant nutrition, redefining its role beyond traditional growth-centric applications.</p>