China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine ›› 2024, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (3): 967-977.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2024.03.008

• Nutrition and Feed • Previous Articles    

Effects of Walnut Green Husk Extracts on in vitro Rumen Fermentation and Microbiota Community in Sheep

ZHANG Xiao, LI Xuanyue, WANG Lei, FANG Meiyan, TIAN Congcong, DI Mingyue, CHEN Yong   

  1. Xinjiang Herbivore Nutrition Laboratory for Meat and Milk, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
  • Received:2023-09-18 Published:2024-02-27

Abstract: 【Objective】 This study was conducted to examine the effect of walnut green husk (WGH) extracts on in vitro rumen fermentation and microbiota community in sheep,in order to elucidate its role in regulating rumen fermentation.【Method】 The WGH extracts obtained using ethyl acetate (Ea),deionized water (Dw),and 50% hydroalcohol (Ha) were added at concentrations of 0,0.125%,0.25%,0.50%,and 1.00% (weight of substrate) and fermented in vitro for 24 h using a high concentrate ration (the ratio of concentrate/roughage was 65∶35) as substrate.Gas production (GP) was recorded during fermentation,and at the end of the fermentation,the fermentation parameters,substrate degradation rate,lactate (LA) concentration and related enzyme activities were analyzed.Additionally,the changes in rumen bacterial community were assessed using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rDNA V4 region.【Result】 Compared with control group,pH,dry matter degradation rate (DMD),acetate/propiontate (A/P ratio),and the activities of 6-phosphofructokinase (PFK),hexokinase (HK) and pyruvate kinase (PK) in Ea group were extremely significantly increased (P<0.01),the 24-hour cumulative gas production (GP24 h),protozoa number,and the concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N),acetate,propiontate,valerate,total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) and LA were extremely significantly or significantly desreased (P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared with control group,pH,GP24 h,neutral detergent fiber degradation rate (NDFD),the levels of propiontate,isobutyrate valerate,and LA,and the activities of PFK,HK and PK in Dw group were extremely significant or significantly decreased (P<0.01 or P<0.05),while the A/P ratio exhibited an extremely significant increase (P<0.01).As for Ha group,GP24 h,DMD,NDFD,the levels of isobutyric acid,butyrate and isovalerate,and A/P ratio were extremely significantly or significantly decreased reduced (P<0.01 or P<0.05),the protozoa count and the levels of NH3-N and propiontate were extremely significantly or significantly increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05).16S rDNA sequencing showed that compared with control group,Alpha diversity index and the relative abundances of Firmicutes,Bacteroidotes and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group in Ea group were extremely significantly or significantly increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05),whereas the relative abundances of Proteobacteria,Succinivibrio and Succiniclasticum were exhibited an extremely significant or significant decrease (P<0.01 or P<0.05).The Shannon index and the relative abundances of Bacteroidotes,Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and uncultured rumen bacterium in Dw group were extremely significantly or significantly decreased (P<0.01 or P<0.05).Alpha diversity index and the abundance of Firmicutes in Ha group were extremely significantly deceased (P<0.01),and the relative abundances of Succinivibrio,Prevotella and Succiniclasticum were significantly or extremely significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01).【Conclusion】 The addition of ethyl acetate extract of walnut green husk in the diet could effectively improve rumen fermentation in sheep,with the best results observed when added at a dosage of 0.25% based on substrate weight.

Key words: walnut green husk extracts; sheep; in vitro fermentation; microbiota community

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