Tannin alleviated reproductive dysfunction in pregnant ewes infected with Haemonchus contortus

IntroductionHaemonchus contortus (H. contortus) infection has a significant impact on the health of pregnant ewes and adversely affects fetal development, highlighting the critical need for a non-toxic feed additive as an alternative and sustainable control strategy. Tannin is a kind of polyphenol c...

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Main Authors: Xin Li, Hai Xiang, Rong Liang, Xinyu Han, Rongzhen Zhong, Hongyu Liu, Yi Fang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Veterinary Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1531233/full
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author Xin Li
Xin Li
Hai Xiang
Hai Xiang
Rong Liang
Rong Liang
Xinyu Han
Xinyu Han
Rongzhen Zhong
Rongzhen Zhong
Hongyu Liu
Hongyu Liu
Yi Fang
Yi Fang
author_facet Xin Li
Xin Li
Hai Xiang
Hai Xiang
Rong Liang
Rong Liang
Xinyu Han
Xinyu Han
Rongzhen Zhong
Rongzhen Zhong
Hongyu Liu
Hongyu Liu
Yi Fang
Yi Fang
author_sort Xin Li
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionHaemonchus contortus (H. contortus) infection has a significant impact on the health of pregnant ewes and adversely affects fetal development, highlighting the critical need for a non-toxic feed additive as an alternative and sustainable control strategy. Tannin is a kind of polyphenol compound, which has certain antiparasitic. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of dietary tannin supplementation on fecal egg count (FEC), packed cell volume (PCV), complete blood count (CBC), hormone levels, inflammatory markers, placental inflammation, and fetal growth and development in pregnant ewes infected with H. contortus.MethodsHulunbuir ewes were randomly divided into three groups: control group (CON), gastrointestinal nematode infection group (GIN), and tannin group, which was infected by H. contortus with tannin feeding therapy (TAN). After artificial insemination was completed, and the ewes were confirmed for pregnancy and infection; stools were collected for FEC, and blood samples were collected for PCV and CBC, hormonal, and inflammation levels. The mRNA levels of hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis-related hormone receptors and placental tissue inflammation genes were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Finally, fetal weights were measured, and fetal ovarian tissue samples were taken for transcriptomic analysis.ResultsThe results showed that tannins increased the levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen (E2), progesterone (P4), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), red blood cell (RBC) counts, packed cell volume (PCV), and mRNA levels of gonadotropic axis receptors in pregnant ewes infected with H. contortus (p < 0.05). In addition, tannin reduced fecal egg count (FEC), leukocyte counts, and mRNA levels of inflammatory markers (p < 0.05). In addition, fetal ovarian sequencing further showed that tannin may alleviate the delay in fetal growth and development induced by H. contortus infection (p < 0.05).ConclusionIn summary, tannins have anthelmintic effects, restore reproductive hormone levels in pregnant ewes, reduce inflammation levels, and alleviate fetal growth retardation caused by H. contortus infection. Therefore, tannin is a suitable potential alternative to antibiotics as a feed additive.
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series Frontiers in Veterinary Science
spelling doaj-art-4553a8fbeda2453b9246cf2ec978798d2025-02-11T13:57:49ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-02-011210.3389/fvets.2025.15312331531233Tannin alleviated reproductive dysfunction in pregnant ewes infected with Haemonchus contortusXin Li0Xin Li1Hai Xiang2Hai Xiang3Rong Liang4Rong Liang5Xinyu Han6Xinyu Han7Rongzhen Zhong8Rongzhen Zhong9Hongyu Liu10Hongyu Liu11Yi Fang12Yi Fang13Key Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, ChinaKey Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Resource Evaluation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, ChinaJilin Provincial Laboratory of Grassland Farming, State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, ChinaCollege of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaKey Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, ChinaKey Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Resource Evaluation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, ChinaJilin Provincial Laboratory of Grassland Farming, State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, ChinaCollege of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaJilin Provincial Laboratory of Grassland Farming, State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, ChinaCollege of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaKey Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, ChinaKey Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Resource Evaluation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, ChinaKey Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, ChinaKey Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Resource Evaluation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, ChinaIntroductionHaemonchus contortus (H. contortus) infection has a significant impact on the health of pregnant ewes and adversely affects fetal development, highlighting the critical need for a non-toxic feed additive as an alternative and sustainable control strategy. Tannin is a kind of polyphenol compound, which has certain antiparasitic. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of dietary tannin supplementation on fecal egg count (FEC), packed cell volume (PCV), complete blood count (CBC), hormone levels, inflammatory markers, placental inflammation, and fetal growth and development in pregnant ewes infected with H. contortus.MethodsHulunbuir ewes were randomly divided into three groups: control group (CON), gastrointestinal nematode infection group (GIN), and tannin group, which was infected by H. contortus with tannin feeding therapy (TAN). After artificial insemination was completed, and the ewes were confirmed for pregnancy and infection; stools were collected for FEC, and blood samples were collected for PCV and CBC, hormonal, and inflammation levels. The mRNA levels of hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis-related hormone receptors and placental tissue inflammation genes were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Finally, fetal weights were measured, and fetal ovarian tissue samples were taken for transcriptomic analysis.ResultsThe results showed that tannins increased the levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen (E2), progesterone (P4), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), red blood cell (RBC) counts, packed cell volume (PCV), and mRNA levels of gonadotropic axis receptors in pregnant ewes infected with H. contortus (p < 0.05). In addition, tannin reduced fecal egg count (FEC), leukocyte counts, and mRNA levels of inflammatory markers (p < 0.05). In addition, fetal ovarian sequencing further showed that tannin may alleviate the delay in fetal growth and development induced by H. contortus infection (p < 0.05).ConclusionIn summary, tannins have anthelmintic effects, restore reproductive hormone levels in pregnant ewes, reduce inflammation levels, and alleviate fetal growth retardation caused by H. contortus infection. Therefore, tannin is a suitable potential alternative to antibiotics as a feed additive.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1531233/fullgastrointestinal nematodestanninpregnant eweshormonesplacentafetus
spellingShingle Xin Li
Xin Li
Hai Xiang
Hai Xiang
Rong Liang
Rong Liang
Xinyu Han
Xinyu Han
Rongzhen Zhong
Rongzhen Zhong
Hongyu Liu
Hongyu Liu
Yi Fang
Yi Fang
Tannin alleviated reproductive dysfunction in pregnant ewes infected with Haemonchus contortus
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
gastrointestinal nematodes
tannin
pregnant ewes
hormones
placenta
fetus
title Tannin alleviated reproductive dysfunction in pregnant ewes infected with Haemonchus contortus
title_full Tannin alleviated reproductive dysfunction in pregnant ewes infected with Haemonchus contortus
title_fullStr Tannin alleviated reproductive dysfunction in pregnant ewes infected with Haemonchus contortus
title_full_unstemmed Tannin alleviated reproductive dysfunction in pregnant ewes infected with Haemonchus contortus
title_short Tannin alleviated reproductive dysfunction in pregnant ewes infected with Haemonchus contortus
title_sort tannin alleviated reproductive dysfunction in pregnant ewes infected with haemonchus contortus
topic gastrointestinal nematodes
tannin
pregnant ewes
hormones
placenta
fetus
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1531233/full
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