Phenyllactic acid (PhLA) is one of important bio-based compounds with potential applications as a natural preservative, feed additive, pharmaceutical agent and polymer precursor in food, pharmaceutical, materials, and chemical industries. Microbial biosynthesis offers a sustainable and low-carbon route for the industrial production of PhLA. However, efficient purification remains a prominent challenge on account of the complex composition of fermentation broths. To address this issue, cryogelscharacterized by their interconnected supermacroporous structures and superior adsorption capabilities, have emerged as promising materials for the separation of bio-based products such as PhLA from complex feedstocks. In this work, a composite semi-hydrophobic poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-butyl methacrylate)-based cryogels embedded with bacterial nanocellulose was prepared via cryo-copolymerization under freezing conditions, followed by grafting with vinylbenzyl trimethylammonium chloride. The integration of hydrophobic and electrostatic functional groups enabled highly selective adsorption of PhLA. To further investigate the adsorption separation process, this study systematically evaluated the structural and adsorption characteristics of the cryogel. Molecular dynamics simulation was performed to elaborate on PhLA molecules at the microscopic level and clarify the binding mechanism with the functional ligands within the cryogel matrix. The regulatory effect of ionic strength on these interactions was also highlighted. Direct separation of PhLA from cell-containing fermentation broth was successfully achieved through chromatography using the cryogel, yielding a maximum purity of 96.4%, an overall average purity of 88.4%, and a total recovery of 87.2%, indicating that the semi-hydrophobic cryogel possesses excellent mechanical stability, high selectivity, and operational simplicity, underscoring its potential for applications in industrial separation and purification processes.

Barley grass is an emerging forage potentially helping relieve the lack of green forage for livestock, and its nutritive value is influenced by kinds of cultivation conditions. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of cultivation temperature (25 °C vs. 30 °C) and seed sterilization (0.2% NaClO) on the dynamic changes in nutrient component, fermentation potential and bacterial community of hydroponic barley grass. The results showed that starch content (56.67%) in the barley grass gradually declined and cell wall components, crude protein, and ash concentrations increased, with 26–35% dry matter loss by 10 days of cultivation, where a higher cultivation temperature (30 °C) resulted in a higher fiber concentration (NDF 29.82% vs. 19.44%; ADF 12.57% vs. 8.02%) and a lower starch content (19.69% vs. 32.05%) while seed sterilization treatment resulted in an opposite result along with an improved dry matter recovery (73.33% vs. 70.15%). Furthermore, seed sterilization increased in vitro rumen gas production (GP48 55.97 vs. 50.50 mL/0.2 g DM) of the resulting barley grass, and its fermentation potential by 10 days of cultivation was much lower than that by 8 days. Bacterial diversity analysis revealed that seed sterilization decreased the richness and diversity of bacterial community, and the abundance of taxa Methyloversatilis, Parabacteroides, Phascolarctobacterum, Lactococcus, Pseudomonas might account for the difference in nutrient component. It is suggested that optimizing cultivation conditions like temperature and sterilization could significantly improve nutrient value and dry matter recovery of hydroponic barley grass, and the production cycle of hydroponic barley grass is no better if more than 8 days, where the bacterial community plays an indispensable role.

Zearalenone-14-glucoside (Z14G) is a common modified mycotoxin attracting considerable attention due to its high occurrence in feed and food, and its potential to transform into the parent form zearalenone (ZEN) in vivo. However, the toxicokinetic data in ruminants remain scarce. In this study, male sheep (n = 5) were orally administered a single dose of Z14G at 2 mg·kg−1 BW. Serum, rumen fluid, urine, and fecal samples were collected at designated time points, and tissue samples were obtained at slaughter 168 h post-dosing. Concentrations of Z14G, ZEN, α-zearalenol (α-ZOL), β-zearalenol (β-ZOL), α-zearalanol (α-ZAL), β-zearalanol (β-ZAL), zearalanone (ZAN), and zearalenone-14-sulfate (Z14S) in these samples were determined using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-Qtrap-MS/MS), so as to explore the absorption, distribution, biotransformation, excretion patterns, and tissue residue profiles of Z14G. The results showed that Z14G was rapidly hydrolyzed in the rumen, with multiple metabolites detected within 1 h. Among these, β-ZOL exhibited concentrations of 154.75 ± 55.66 ng·mL−1, followed by ZEN 83.56 ± 33.36 ng·mL−1. In serum, ZEN, β-ZOL, and Z14G all reached peak concentrations at 30 min, with values of 20.25 ± 2.55, 3.01 ± 0.59 and 2.15 ± 0.78 ng·mL−1, respectively. The half-lives of all three analytes were less than 3 h, with Z14G eliminated the fastest (t1/2 = 0.94 ± 0.31 h) and ZEN the slowest (t1/2 = 2.91 ± 1.49 h). The total excretion of Z14G and its metabolites in feces and urine accounted for 0.90 ± 0.14% and 0.04 ± 0.01%, respectively. Z14G was not detected in any tissues, but ZEN was detected (1.38–3.61 ng·g−1). As the first systematic toxicokinetic investigation of Z14G in ruminants, this study provides critical data for food safety risk assessment of Z14G, and offers a theoretical basis for controlling Z14G contamination in ruminant feed.

This study systematically compared the effects of dietary supplementation with glutamine (Gln) and its precursors, including glutamic acid (GA) and α-ketoglutarate (AKG), on growth performance, serum antioxidant and immune parameters, and multi-region gastrointestinal microbiota in suckling lambs. Forty healthy suckling Hu lambs with similar body weight (7.37 ± 1.18 kg) and age (7 ± 0.8 d) were selected and randomly allocated into four groups (n = 10 per group): a control group (CON, without additive), and three treatment groups (GA, AKG, and Gln), each receiving 2 g per animal per day of the corresponding additive. The experimental period lasted for 42 d. All three additives showed a tendency to increase the final body weight (p = 0.056) and significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG) of lambs (p < 0.05). GA supplementation increased the dry matter intake throughout the entire trial (p < 0.05), whereas the addition of AKG and Gln increased the dry matter intake only during the later period (d 21–42) (p < 0.05). The feed-to-gain ratios did not differ among all groups (p > 0.05). Compared with the CON group, all three treatment groups showed elevated serum activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity, as well as increased IgA and IgG contents (p < 0.05). In addition, malondialdehyde concentration was decreased in all three treatment groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, GA supplementation reduced the ruminal alpha diversity while increasing the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria (Ruminococcaceae UCG-014) (p < 0.05). All three interventions consistently decreased the abundance of the intestinal pathogen Escherichia-Shigella in the ileum (p < 0.05). Correlation analyses showed that ruminal Treponema 2 abundance was negatively correlated with ADG, whereas jejunal Methylobacterium and ileal [Eubacterium] coprostanoligenes group were positively correlated with final body weight or ADG. In conclusion, glutamine and its precursors play an important role in modulating gastrointestinal bacterial diversity and composition, enhancing antioxidant and immune functions, and improving the growth performance of suckling lambs.

Grain byproducts can serve as cost-effective alternatives to corn, but may lead to reduced production performance and increased greenhouse gas emissions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of replacing corn with the grain byproducts (wheat bran, sprayed corn bran) subjected to bacterial-enzymatic fermentation treatment or not in Hu sheep, mainly focusing on production performance, energy-nitrogen metabolism, rumen fermentation and greenhouse gas emissions. A total of fifty-four 6-month-old Hu sheep were divided into three groups, with 6 pens per group and 3 sheep per pen, and then randomly allocated to one of the three dietary groups for 60 days, i.e., a control group (CON), a group (RC) that corn was partially (~42%) replaced with grain byproducts, and a group (BF) that corn was partially replaced by fermented grain byproducts. Compared with the CON group, the RC group showed numerically lower rumen total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration and its propionate proportion, nitrogen retention content (NR; −10.22%) and its retention ratio (NR/NI decreased by 4.27 percentage points, absolute reduction from 24.30% to 20.04%), corresponding to a relative decrease of 17.6%.) as well as a numerically reduced net profit (−2.18%) with a decreased feed price (−¥0.16/kg TMR). Meanwhile, the RC group showed a significant increase in the relative abundance of Methanobrevibacter (p < 0.05), accompanied by numerically higher daily methane emissions (+6.14%) and emission intensity (+4.08%), although these methane-related differences did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). Compared to the RC group, the BF group resulted in a numerical increase in feed price (+¥0.03/kg TMR), net profit (+27.93%), TVFA concentration, propionate proportion, NR (+28.17%), NR/NI (an increase of 5.38 percentage points), the relative abundance of Prevotella, Shuttleworthia and Succinivibrio as well as the decrease of fecal nitrogen (FN; −12.29%), daily methane emissions (−8.75%), emission intensity (−5.83%) and the relative abundance of Methanobrevibacter. In summary, replacing dietary corn by 42% with wheat bran and sprayed corn bran numerically reduced formula cost and nitrogen utilization, while increasing methane emissions and methanogens abundance, without significantly affecting growth performance. This combination led to no improvement in economic returns for fattening Hu sheep. Bacterial-enzymatic fermentation treatment of these byproducts could mitigate these drawbacks, being superior energy-nitrogen metabolism and lower greenhouse gas emissions intensity, presenting a potential strategy for cost reduction and efficiency enhancement. Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to confirm these findings and support broader application.

To investigate the effects of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) on ruminal fermentation characteristics and bacterial community structure, 5-HMF was supplemented at the levels of 0, 7500, and 30,000 mg/kg DM under two dietary concentrate-to-roughage ratios (20:80, T1; 80:20, T2) in in vitro rumen incubation, mainly focusing on gas production, fermentation parameters, nutrient digestibility and bacterial community. The results showed that 24 h gas production (GP24), 72 h gas production (GP72), the gas production rate (c) and dry matter digestibility (DMD) in T2 were higher than those in T1 (p < 0.01). With increasing levels of 5-HMF supplementation, GP72 and asymptotic gas production (B) increased linearly and quadratically (p < 0.05). T2 also had a higher butyrate concentration and a lower acetate/propionate (A/P) ratio than T1 (p < 0.05). With the increase in 5-HMF supplementation level, ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration showed a quadratic response. In contrast, the concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs), acetate and isobutyrate decreased linearly. Propionate concentration showed linear and quadratic decreasing trends, while the A/P ratio exhibited linear and quadratic increasing trends (p < 0.05). The supplementation of 5-HMF at 30,000 mg/kg DM reduced propionate and isobutyrate concentrations under both dietary conditions (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in the alpha diversity indices of the bacterial community among different 5-HMF levels or substrates (p > 0.05). PCoA and PERMANOVA revealed that community structure differed between the 7500 mg/kg DM group and the 0 mg/kg DM group in the T1 diet (p = 0.011), whereas no difference was detected among T2 treatments. LEfSe revealed that 6 and 13 differential bacterial taxa were identified in T1 and T2 at the 5-HMF level of 7500 mg/kg DM, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed that, in T1, GP72 was positively correlated with Pseudomonadota, and the A/P ratio was positively correlated with fibrolytic taxa including Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and Christensenellaceae_R-7_group. In T2, c was positively correlated with Fibrobacterota and Fibrobacter, while NH3-N was positively correlated with Desulfovibrio, indicating diet-specific microbial associations with rumen fermentation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the high-concentrate diet exhibited stronger rumen fermentation activity. 5-HMF exerted diet-specific effects: In the low-concentrate diet, 5-HMF at 7500 mg/kg DM enriched fibrolytic microbes and shifted fermentation toward an acetate-type pattern. In the high-concentrate diet, it modulated hydrogen-metabolizing bacteria while selectively enriching Pseudomonadota capable of participating in carbohydrate metabolism. The 30,000 mg/kg DM level inhibited rumen fermentation. The findings provide a theoretical reference for the application of 5-HMF in ruminant feeds. However, further in vivo trials are required to validate its effects, and future studies with refined dose gradients based on realistic 5-HMF concentrations in feedstuffs are needed to comprehensively evaluate its efficacy and safety.

This study evaluated the potential of utilizing Sesbania cannabina, produced during saline–alkali soil improvement, as a high-quality feed resource for ruminants. Mixed silages were prepared by combining S. cannabina and whole corn at ratios of 1:1 and 1:3, with or without a compound Lactobacillus (LAB) inoculant, and were assessed for fermentation quality, nutrient composition, ruminal degradation, intestinal digestibility, and energy value. Results: The addition of Lactobacillus (LAB) inoculants increased lactic acid content, crude protein effective degradability (CPED), gross energy (GE), and dry matter apparent digestibility (DMAD), while decreasing ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), acetic acid (AA), propionic acid (PA), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), rumen undegradable protein (RUP), intestinal crude protein degradability (ICPD), and intestinal digestible crude protein (IDCP). Increasing the proportion of whole corn increased dry matter (DM) and gross energy (GE), while reducing crude protein (CP), NDF, ADF, Ash, rumen degradable protein (RDP), RUP, IDCP, and the effective ruminal degradability of NDF (NDFED) and ADF (ADFED). Overall, a 1:1 mixing ratio maximized S. cannabina utilization without compromising feeding value, and LAB inoculation ensured successful ensiling while enhancing nutrient utilization.

Thirty male Hu lambs (38.95 +/- 3.87 kg; 6 months old) were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) SBM (a basal diet with soybean meal) and (2) FSM (a diet replacing 10 % soybean meal with 10 % flax seed meal) to evaluate their effects on Hu lamb production and slaughter performance, meat quality, muscle fatty acid composition, and antioxidant capacity. The production and slaughter performance, as well as the amino acid composition in muscle were not different between groups. The FSM decreased muscle shear-force (P = 0.019), the pH (24h) (P = 0.002), and the cooking loss (P = 0.008). The b* (yellowness, P = 0.039) and the a* (redness, P = 0.008) of the FSM were lower than those of the SBM. FSM group reduced muscle hardness (P = 0.004), gumminess (P = 0.009), chewiness (P = 0.007), and the diameter of muscle fibers (P < 0.05). A significant increase of total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (P = 0.001), the content of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, P = 0.003), homo-gamma-linolenic acid (P = 0.034), docosadienoic acid (P = 0.001), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, P = 0.003) was obtained in the FSM group. The CAT activity of FSM was significantly higher than that of SBM (P < 0.05). In conclusion, compared with the SBM, the FSM could effectively improve the meat tenderness, the content of ALA and DHA, and the catalase activity in muscle of Hu lambs.

Goat meat is widely valued as a healthy option due to its lean nature, yet strategies to further optimize its intrinsic nutritional composition remain a key objective. This study examined the influence of melatonin on muscle development and visceral fat deposition in cashmere goats, focusing on its role in augmenting systemic antioxidant capacity and modifying gut microbiota. Thirty goat kids were randomly assigned to a control or a melatonin-treated (2 mg/kg body weight) group. Melatonin implantation induced a metabolic shift characterized by reduced visceral fat deposition (perirenal, omental, and mesenteric fat; p < 0.05) without impacting intramuscular fat. Concurrently, it promoted muscle accretion, as demonstrated by an increase in crude protein content and hypertrophy of muscle fibers in the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum, Gluteus medius, and Biceps femoris muscles (p < 0.05). These effects were underpinned by an enhanced systemic antioxidant capacity (elevated CAT, GSH-Px, T-AOC, and reduced MDA; p < 0.05), changes in gut microbiota, and a concomitant improvement in gastrointestinal morphology, evidenced by increased rumen papilla length and intestinal villus height. Melatonin enriched beneficial genera (e.g., Succiniclasticum, Butyrivibrio, Akkermansia), which were significantly correlated with reduced adiposity and improved protein deposition. These improvements resulted from the concerted actions of an enhanced systemic antioxidant defense system and a beneficially modulated gut microbial community. This trial observed no effect on intramuscular fat deposition, suggesting that improving intramuscular fat may require a systematic fattening regimen. This study provides a scientific foundation for employing melatonin as a nutritional strategy in goat production to improve meat quality.

Neonates exhibit heightened susceptibility to intestinal barrier disruption induced by Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) and its virulence factor lipopolysaccharide (LPS), while antibiotic-independent interventions remain scarce. Here, we demonstrate that melatonin, administered via discrete perinatal and postnatal regimens, ameliorates ST- and LPS-induced intestinal injury in neonatal mice through gut microbiota remodeling. In perinatal studies, maternal melatonin supplementation in drinking water (100 μg/mL; gestational day 13 to postnatal day 21) enhanced intestinal maturation in healthy neonates, upregulated tight junction proteins (Claudin-3, ZO-1), and enriched beneficial taxa (e.g., Candidatus Arthromitus, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136). In infection models, postnatal intraperitoneal melatonin administration (10 mg/kg; 7 days) attenuated ST- and LPS-induced pathology: suppressing pathogens (Salmonella enterica, Escherichia-Shigella), elevating commensals (Ligilactobacillus), restoring villus architecture, and balancing inflammatory mediators (decreased TNF-α, increased IL-10). Collectively, these findings identify melatonin as a microbiota-targeted therapy for neonatal enteropathies, supporting its therapeutic potential against Salmonella-induced intestinal injury.

Melatonin improves the production performance of animal furs, particularly in promoting wool and cashmere growth. Although most studies of melatonin enhancing cashmere growth have focused primarily on gene and phenotype levels, its impact on metabolites has not received attention. To investigate the influence of melatonin on metabolites, genes, gene‒metabolite interactions, and associated signaling pathways in secondary hair follicles (SHFs), we performed multiomics analyses of skin and blood samples collected 30 days after sustained melatonin release. The results demonstrated that two melatonin interventions during SHF anagen in cashmere goats induce the early growth of SHFs, increase the active secondary follicle density (ASFD), and improve cashmere yield and quality. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 509 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including key genes such as KRTs and KRTAPs, and genes associated with the WNT signaling pathway (LEF1, WNT3/4, and FZD3/5), suggesting their critical roles in melatonin-mediated SHF development. Metabolomic analysis revealed 842 metabolites in the skin samples and 1,162 in the blood samples. Among these, 177 differentially regulated metabolites (DRMs) in the skin were significantly enriched in pathways such as alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, the citrate cycle (TCA cycle), and several amino acid metabolic pathways. Similarly, 122 DRMs in the blood were enriched in pathways related to protein digestion and absorption, central carbon metabolism in cancer, and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. Finally, the integrative analysis revealed partially coenriched metabolic pathways and relationships between DEGs and DRMs. In summary, by integrating transcriptomics and metabolomics, this study provides novel insights into the role of melatonin in promoting SHF development. Furthermore, these findings establish a theoretical foundation for the broader application of melatonin-based technologies to promote cashmere growth.

This study aims to investigate the effect of fermented onion on Liangshan black sheep’s growth performance, health, meat quality, and rumen metabolite profiles. A total of 80 four-month-old female Liangshan black sheep were randomly divided into four groups of five replicate pens (four sheep per pen). Sheep were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 10, 20% or 30% fermented onion. Compared to that of the control group, dietary supplementation with 20% fermented onion improved final body weight, ADG and ADFI; enhanced GPT and GOT activities and increased IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, and C4 levels; increased the levels of IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β and decreased the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ; decreased MDA level and increased SOD, GST, CAT and GSH-Px activities; decrease the pH, L* value, b* value and shear force; increase the a* value and the content s of protein and fat; increase the expression levels of FN1, TGFβ1, Myf5, FAS, PPARγ and FABP4; decrease the expression levels of CPT1A and LPL. Metabolomic analysis revealed that 20% fermented onion supplementation significantly modified the metabolite profiles in the rumen liquid, with 44 downregulated metabolites and four upregulated metabolites mainly enriched in purine metabolism, microbial metabolism, cutin, and suberine biosynthesis pathways. Data from our study suggest that supplementation of fermented onion to the basal diet at 20% (w/w) can be used safely to increase meat yield and to improve meat quality in the sheep industry.

Liaoning cashmere goats is a dual-purpose breed valued for premium cashmere fiber and meat yields, and there is currently a lack of optimized strategies for meat quality, including skeletal muscle development and lipid partitioning. This investigation systematically examines how melatonin administration modulates gastrointestinal microbiota and antioxidant capacity to concurrently enhance skeletal muscle hypertrophy and redirect lipid deposition patterns, ultimately improving meat quality and carcass traits in Liaoning cashmere goats. Thirty female half-sibling kids were randomized into control and melatonin-treated groups (2 mg/kg live weight with subcutaneous implants). Postmortem analyses at 8 months assessed carcass traits, meat quality, muscle histology, plasma metabolites, and gut microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing). Melatonin supplementation decreased visceral adiposity (perirenal, omental, and mesenteric fat depots with a p < 0.05) while inducing muscle fiber hypertrophy (longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) and biceps femoris (BF) with p < 0.05). The melatonin-treated group demonstrated elevated postmortem pH24h values, attenuated muscle drip loss, enhanced intramuscular protein deposition, and improved systemic antioxidant status (characterized by increased catalase and glutathione levels with concomitant reduction in malondialdehyde with p < 0.05). Melatonin reshaped gut microbiota, increasing α-diversity (p < 0.05) and enriching beneficial genera (Prevotella, Romboutsia, and Akkermansia), while suppressing lipogenic Desulfovibrio populations, and concomitant with improved intestinal morphology as evidenced by elevated villus height-to-crypt depth ratios. These findings establish that melatonin-mediated gastrointestinal microbiota remodeling drives anabolic muscle protein synthesis while optimizing fat deposition, providing a scientifically grounded strategy to enhance meat quality.

This study optimized the cryopreservation protocol for cashmere goat semen by testing centrifugation speeds (750, 1000, 1250, 1500 rpm) for seminal plasma removal and L-proline concentrations (10, 30, 50 mmol/L) in a freezing extender. Semen from six 3-year-old breeding bucks of Inner Mongolia cashmere goats was evaluated post-thaw in terms of motility, membrane integrity, antioxidant capacity, and artificial insemination (AI) outcomes (n = 130 does). The results demonstrated that the group that underwent centrifugation at 1250 rpm saw significantly improved sperm motility (p < 0.05), curvilinear velocity (VCL, p < 0.05), and straight-line velocity (VSL, p < 0.05) compared to the other groups. The addition of 30 mmol/L L-proline further enhanced post-thaw sperm motility (p < 0.05), plasma membrane integrity (p < 0.05), and acrosome integrity (p < 0.05), while significantly reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS, p < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (MDA, p < 0.05) levels. This group also exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity, as indicated by elevated levels of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (p < 0.05). AI trials revealed that semen treated with 1250 rpm centrifugation and 30 mmol/L L-proline achieved the highest kidding rate (56.82%), significantly outperforming the control group (37.21%, p < 0.05). Meanwhile, no significant differences were observed in prolificacy or offspring sex ratio (p > 0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that combining 1250 rpm centrifugation for seminal plasma removal with the addition of 30 mmol/L L-proline to the freezing extender significantly improves the quality of cryopreserved cashmere goat semen and enhances AI outcomes.

This study evaluated the impact of reduced crude protein (CP) diets supplemented with four essential amino acids (EAAs) on production efficiency and meat quality characteristics in Bamei pigs. Thirty-six castrated Bamei pigs (half male and half female, 100 days old, with an average body weight of 50.65 kg) were randomly assigned to three different dietary CP levels: control group (16.0% CP), group I (14.0% CP + EAA), and group II (12.0% CP + EAA). In both experiments, the group I and group II diets were supplemented with crystalline AA to achieve equal contents of standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan. After a 70-day feeding trial, the results showed that (1) low-protein diets of different levels supplemented with four EAAs had no significant effect on the growth performance of Bamei pigs (p > 0.05) but had a tendency to increase average daily feed intake (ADFI). (2) In terms of slaughter performance, compared with the control group, the low-protein amino-acid-balanced diet significantly reduced the pH of gastric contents (p = 0.045), and tended to increase the backfat thickness and dressing percentage (p > 0.05). (3) The effect of low-protein diets on muscle amino acids showed that group I was significantly improved, including increased Threonine, Serine, Glycine and Bitter amino acids. (4) Compared with the control group, the low-protein group increased the ratio of unsaturated fatty acid (UFA)/total fatty acids (TFAs), Monounsaturated Fatty Acid (MUFA)/TFA, and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA)/TFA, and the content of decanoic acid, myristic acid, and cis-11-eicosenoic acid in group II was significantly higher than that in the other two groups (p ≤ 0.012). (5) The total number of flavor compounds in the muscle of the low-protein group was higher than that of the control group, including Aldehyde, Alcohol, sulfide, Alkane, and Furan compounds. Among them, the relative contents of Hexanal, Heptaldehyde, Benzaldehyde, E-2-Octenal, 2,3-Octanedione, and 2-Pentylfuran in group II were significantly higher than in those groups (p < 0.05). Notably, the 14% dietary protein level group had the most significant effect on the meat quality and flavor of Bamei pigs. Therefore, under the condition of amino acid balance, reducing the use of protein feed raw materials and adding synthetic amino acids can not only improve the meat quality and flavor of finishing pigs, but also save the feed cost.

Hair follicles, unique skin appendages, undergo cyclic phases (anagen, catagen, telogen) governed by melatonin and associated molecular pathways. Melatonin, synthesized in the pineal gland, skin, and gut, orchestrates these cycles through antioxidant activity and signaling cascades (e.g., Wnt, BMP). This review examines melatonin’s biosynthesis across tissues, its regulation of cashmere growth patterns, and its interplay with non-coding RNAs and the gut–skin axis. Recent advances highlight melatonin’s dual role in enhancing antioxidant capacity (via Keap1-Nrf2) and modulating gene expression (e.g., Wnt10b, CTNNB1) to promote hair follicle proliferation. By integrating multi-omics insights, we construct a molecular network of melatonin’s regulatory mechanisms, offering strategies to improve cashmere yield and quality while advancing therapies for human alopecia.

This study was conducted to investigate the rumen degradability and intestinal digestibility of mutton sheep diets different in concentrate-to-forage ratio, NFC/NDF, and ingredient combination, providing a guideline for the selection of a fattening diet for mutton sheep. Twenty-eight diets composed of four raw material combinations and seven concentrate-to-forage ratios and four three-year-old mutton sheep with permanent rumen fistulas were used in the experiments. The nutrient composition of the diets was first analyzed, and then an in situ method and in vitro three-step method were separately used to measure the rumen degradability and intestinal digestibility, mainly focusing on the effects of dietary concentrate-to-forage ratio and NFC/NDF as well as the effects of soybean meal and soybean meal replacement and peanut vine and peanut vine replacement. The results showed that a dietary concentrate-to-forage ratio of 70:30~80:20 and an NFC/NDF ratio of 1.5~2.0 are recommended for fattening mutton sheep, and low-cost cottonseed meal and rapeseed meal can be feasible alternative protein sources to soybean meal. In addition, the nutritional values of sunflower seed hulls and rice hulls for mutton sheep are lower than that of peanut vine. Such a study can provide practical guidelines for enterprises and farmers, being of important significance for the high-quality development of the mutton sheep industry.

IntroductionYeast culture (YC) enhances ruminant performance, but its functional mechanism remains unclear because of the complex composition of YC and the uncertain substances affecting rumen fermentation. The objective of this study was to determine the composition of effective metabolites in YC by exploring its effects on rumen fermentation in vitro, growth and slaughter performance, serum index, rumen fermentation parameters, rumen microorganisms, and metabolites in lambs.MethodsIn Trial 1, various YCs were successfully produced, providing raw materials for identifying effective metabolites. The experiment was divided into 5 treatment groups with 5 replicates in each group: the control group (basal diet without additives) and YC groups were supplemented with 0.625‰ of four different yeast cultures, respectively (groups A, B, C, and D). Rumen fermentation parameters were determined at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h in vitro. A univariate regression model multiple factor associative effects index (MFAEI; y) was established to correlate the most influential factors on in vitro rumen fermentation with YC metabolites (x). This identified the metabolites promoting rumen fermentation and optimal YC substance levels. In Trial 2, metabolites in YC not positively correlated with MFAEI were excluded, and effective substances were combined with pure chemicals (M group). This experiment validated the effectiveness of YC metabolites in lamb production based on their impact on growth, slaughter performance, serum indices, rumen parameters, microorganisms, and metabolites. Thirty cross-generation rams (Small tail Han-yang ♀ × Australian white sheep ♂) with good body condition and similar body weight were divided into three treatment groups with 10 replicates in each group: control group, YC group, pure chemicals combination group (M group).ResultsGrowth performance and serum index were measured on days 30 and 60, and slaughter performance, rumen fermentation parameters, microorganisms, and metabolites were measured on day 60. The M group significantly increased the dressing percentage, and significantly decreased the GR values of lambs (p < 0.05). The concentration of growth hormone (GH), Cortisol, insulin (INS), and rumen VFA in the M group significantly increased (p < 0.05).DiscussionThese experiments confirmed that YC or its screened effective metabolites positively impact lamb slaughter performance, rumen fermentation, and microbial metabolism.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal dietary selenium yeast (SY) supplementation during pregnancy on the hair follicle development of kids. Sixty pregnant Hanshan white cashmere goats were randomly divided into the con group (fed with a basal diet) and the SY group (fed with a basal diet with 0.4 mg/kg SY). SY was supplemented during the pregnancy until the birth of the kids. The growth performance, cashmere performance, hair follicle characteristics, and serum antioxidant capacity of the kids were periodically determined. The results showed that the birth weight of the kids in the SY group was significantly higher than that in the con group (p < 0.05), and the average weight at 15 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 5 months of age increased by 13.60%, 8.77%, 8.86%, and 3.90%, respectively (p > 0.05). The cashmere fineness at early birth was dramatically reduced with SY supplementation (p < 0.001), whereas cashmere length and production were significantly increased at 5 months of age (p < 0.05). Histology assays indicated that the primary hair follicles were fully developed at birth, and there was no significant difference in the number of primary hair follicles between the two groups (p > 0.05). The number of secondary hair follicles and the number and density of active secondary hair follicles in the SY group at 15 days were significantly higher than those in the con group (p < 0.05) and were increased by 11.18%, 6.18%, and 22.55% at 5 months of age, respectively (p > 0.05). The serum antioxidant capacity analysis revealed that the SY group had higher levels of T-AOC, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities and lower levels of MDA (p > 0.05). These results reveal that the maternal dietary supplementation of SY in gestation can promote the morphogenesis and maturation of secondary hair follicles and increase the number and density of secondary hair follicles by enhancing the body’s antioxidant capacity, contributing to the improvement of cashmere quality and yield.

Melatonin’s capacity to improve cashmere production and quality in goats is well established, but its underlying mechanisms, particularly those concerning the gastrointestinal microbiome, remain inadequately understood. This study aims to elucidate the effects of melatonin implantation on the production performance, blood biochemical parameters, nutrient digestibility, and gastrointestinal microbiome of Liaoning cashmere goats. Thirty newborn Liaoning cashmere goat lambs were selected and randomly assigned to control and melatonin groups using a paired test design. The melatonin group received three melatonin implantations at 15, 75, and 135 days of age, respectively, with a dosage of 2 mg/kg body weight, while the control group received no treatment. Digestive metabolism tests were conducted at 150 and 300 days of age; prior to these tests, blood, rumen fluid, and rectal feces were collected. Apparent nutrient digestibility and blood biochemical indexes were determined, and rumen fluid and rectal feces were analyzed using microbial 16S rRNA sequencing. The results indicated that melatonin significantly reduced daily weight gain and body weight at 60 days (p < 0.05) while significantly increasing daily weight gain at 300 days (p < 0.05). Additionally, it significantly increased cashmere length and reduced its fineness (p < 0.05). Melatonin significantly enhanced nitrogen deposition (p < 0.05), elevated plasma levels of T-AOC, CAT, GSH-PX, and BUN (p < 0.05), and reduced plasma levels of MDA, GOT, GPT, and AKP (p < 0.05). Moreover, melatonin significantly elevated the microbial Ace and Chao1 indices in rectal feces (p < 0.05), increasing genera beneficial for feed digestion and absorption, including Prevotella, Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcus, and Synergistaceae (p < 0.05); the abundance of these beneficial genera were positively correlated with improved cashmere production performance, antioxidant activity, and liver and kidney function. In conclusion, melatonin enhances cashmere production by modulating gastrointestinal microbiota, antioxidant activity, liver and kidney function, and nitrogen metabolism in cashmere goats. This study provides a theoretical foundation for melatonin’s role in microbiota modulation, which is essential for promoting high-quality and sustainable development in the cashmere goat industry.