Effects of Rumen-Protected Taurine Supplementation on Ruminal Fermentation, Hematological Profiles, Liver Function, and Immune Responses in Yaks

The present study evaluated the effects of dietary rumen-protected taurine (RPT) supplementation on ruminal fermentation, hematological parameters, liver function, stress-related hormones, and immune responses in yaks. Eighteen yaks were randomly allocated to three groups: a control group receiving...

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Main Authors: Shoupei Zhao, Lianghao Lu, Yuanyuan Chen, Huaming Yang, Bao Zhang, Mingyu Cao, Wenju Chao, Wanchao Xue, Xiaorong Fan, Jianxin Xiao, Rui Hu, Quanhui Peng, Lizhi Wang, Zhisheng Wang, Bai Xue
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/13/1929
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author Shoupei Zhao
Lianghao Lu
Yuanyuan Chen
Huaming Yang
Bao Zhang
Mingyu Cao
Wenju Chao
Wanchao Xue
Xiaorong Fan
Jianxin Xiao
Rui Hu
Quanhui Peng
Lizhi Wang
Zhisheng Wang
Bai Xue
author_facet Shoupei Zhao
Lianghao Lu
Yuanyuan Chen
Huaming Yang
Bao Zhang
Mingyu Cao
Wenju Chao
Wanchao Xue
Xiaorong Fan
Jianxin Xiao
Rui Hu
Quanhui Peng
Lizhi Wang
Zhisheng Wang
Bai Xue
author_sort Shoupei Zhao
collection DOAJ
description The present study evaluated the effects of dietary rumen-protected taurine (RPT) supplementation on ruminal fermentation, hematological parameters, liver function, stress-related hormones, and immune responses in yaks. Eighteen yaks were randomly allocated to three groups: a control group receiving no RPT (CON), a low-dose group receiving 20 g/day (RPT20), and a high-dose group receiving 40 g/day (RPT40). Supplementation with RPT did not significantly affect ruminal pH, microbial protein concentration, ammonia nitrogen, total volatile fatty acids, or the individual volatile fatty acid profiles (<i>p</i> > 0.05). A decreasing trend in red blood cell count was observed (<i>p</i> = 0.050), while no significant changes were detected in white blood cell or platelet indices (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Liver function markers, including albumin, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and total protein, remained unchanged, although a trend toward altered alkaline phosphatase activity was noted (<i>p</i> = 0.074). No significant effects were observed on acute-phase proteins (serum amyloid A, C-reactive protein) or stress-related hormones (epinephrine, adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol) (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Importantly, serum immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G levels were significantly increased in response to RPT supplementation (<i>p</i> = 0.029 and <i>p</i> = 0.043, respectively), suggesting enhanced humoral immunity. These findings indicate that RPT may improve immune function in yaks without negatively affecting rumen fermentation or liver health.
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spelling doaj-art-7b82b996dc664d51963f1288d91af2ba2025-08-20T03:16:46ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-06-011513192910.3390/ani15131929Effects of Rumen-Protected Taurine Supplementation on Ruminal Fermentation, Hematological Profiles, Liver Function, and Immune Responses in YaksShoupei Zhao0Lianghao Lu1Yuanyuan Chen2Huaming Yang3Bao Zhang4Mingyu Cao5Wenju Chao6Wanchao Xue7Xiaorong Fan8Jianxin Xiao9Rui Hu10Quanhui Peng11Lizhi Wang12Zhisheng Wang13Bai Xue14Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaAnimal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaAnimal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaAnimal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaAnimal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaAnimal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaHuangyuan County Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station, Xining 812100, ChinaHuangyuan County Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station, Xining 812100, ChinaPing’an District Agriculture and Technology Bureau, Haidong 810799, ChinaAnimal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaAnimal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaAnimal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaAnimal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaAnimal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaAnimal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaThe present study evaluated the effects of dietary rumen-protected taurine (RPT) supplementation on ruminal fermentation, hematological parameters, liver function, stress-related hormones, and immune responses in yaks. Eighteen yaks were randomly allocated to three groups: a control group receiving no RPT (CON), a low-dose group receiving 20 g/day (RPT20), and a high-dose group receiving 40 g/day (RPT40). Supplementation with RPT did not significantly affect ruminal pH, microbial protein concentration, ammonia nitrogen, total volatile fatty acids, or the individual volatile fatty acid profiles (<i>p</i> > 0.05). A decreasing trend in red blood cell count was observed (<i>p</i> = 0.050), while no significant changes were detected in white blood cell or platelet indices (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Liver function markers, including albumin, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and total protein, remained unchanged, although a trend toward altered alkaline phosphatase activity was noted (<i>p</i> = 0.074). No significant effects were observed on acute-phase proteins (serum amyloid A, C-reactive protein) or stress-related hormones (epinephrine, adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol) (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Importantly, serum immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G levels were significantly increased in response to RPT supplementation (<i>p</i> = 0.029 and <i>p</i> = 0.043, respectively), suggesting enhanced humoral immunity. These findings indicate that RPT may improve immune function in yaks without negatively affecting rumen fermentation or liver health.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/13/1929yaksrumen-protected taurinehumoral immunityliver functionrumen fermentationhematological parameters
spellingShingle Shoupei Zhao
Lianghao Lu
Yuanyuan Chen
Huaming Yang
Bao Zhang
Mingyu Cao
Wenju Chao
Wanchao Xue
Xiaorong Fan
Jianxin Xiao
Rui Hu
Quanhui Peng
Lizhi Wang
Zhisheng Wang
Bai Xue
Effects of Rumen-Protected Taurine Supplementation on Ruminal Fermentation, Hematological Profiles, Liver Function, and Immune Responses in Yaks
Animals
yaks
rumen-protected taurine
humoral immunity
liver function
rumen fermentation
hematological parameters
title Effects of Rumen-Protected Taurine Supplementation on Ruminal Fermentation, Hematological Profiles, Liver Function, and Immune Responses in Yaks
title_full Effects of Rumen-Protected Taurine Supplementation on Ruminal Fermentation, Hematological Profiles, Liver Function, and Immune Responses in Yaks
title_fullStr Effects of Rumen-Protected Taurine Supplementation on Ruminal Fermentation, Hematological Profiles, Liver Function, and Immune Responses in Yaks
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Rumen-Protected Taurine Supplementation on Ruminal Fermentation, Hematological Profiles, Liver Function, and Immune Responses in Yaks
title_short Effects of Rumen-Protected Taurine Supplementation on Ruminal Fermentation, Hematological Profiles, Liver Function, and Immune Responses in Yaks
title_sort effects of rumen protected taurine supplementation on ruminal fermentation hematological profiles liver function and immune responses in yaks
topic yaks
rumen-protected taurine
humoral immunity
liver function
rumen fermentation
hematological parameters
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/13/1929
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