Microbiomic and Metabolomic Insights into the Mechanisms of Alfalfa Polysaccharides and Seaweed Polysaccharides in Alleviating Diarrhea in Pre-Weaning Holstein Calves
Neonatal calves’ diarrhea, which can be severe enough to cause death, has a significant impact on the global cattle industry. In this study, alfalfa polysaccharides and seaweed polysaccharides were found to significantly improve the diarrhea condition in neonatal calves. To explore the underlying me...
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2025-02-01
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| author | Jianan Zhao Haoliang Tian Xiaohui Kong Danqi Dang Kaizhen Liu Chuanyou Su Hongxia Lian Tengyun Gao Tong Fu Liyang Zhang Wenqing Li Wei Zhang |
| author_facet | Jianan Zhao Haoliang Tian Xiaohui Kong Danqi Dang Kaizhen Liu Chuanyou Su Hongxia Lian Tengyun Gao Tong Fu Liyang Zhang Wenqing Li Wei Zhang |
| author_sort | Jianan Zhao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Neonatal calves’ diarrhea, which can be severe enough to cause death, has a significant impact on the global cattle industry. In this study, alfalfa polysaccharides and seaweed polysaccharides were found to significantly improve the diarrhea condition in neonatal calves. To explore the underlying mechanisms, further microbiomic and metabolomic analyses were conducted. This study investigated the impact of alfalfa polysaccharides and seaweed polysaccharides on growth performance, serum metabolites, gut microbiota, and metabolomics in neonatal Holstein calves. A total of 24 newborn calves were randomly assigned to three groups, with 8 calves per treatment group. The control (CON) group was fed a basal diet, the alfalfa polysaccharide (AP) group received a basal diet supplemented with alfalfa polysaccharides (4 g/calf/day), and the seaweed polysaccharide group (SP) received a basal diet supplemented with seaweed polysaccharides (4 g/calf/day). These polysaccharides were plant extracts. Compared to the CON group, the results indicated that SP significantly enhanced the body weight, height, chest circumference, and average daily gain of Holstein calves (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while also reducing the diarrhea rate and improving manure scoring (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Compared to the CON, AP also reduced the diarrhea rate (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In terms of serum biochemistry, supplementation with AP and SP increased serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels compared to the CON group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Both AP and SP elevated serum catalase (CAT) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (T-AOC) levels, indicating enhanced antioxidant status (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Regarding immune responses, supplementation with AP and SP significantly increased serum complement component 3 (C3) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels, while significantly reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-18 (IL-18), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) compared to the CON group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Microbiota analysis revealed that AP modulated the abundance of <i>Firmicutes</i>, while SP influenced the abundance of <i>Prevotella</i> and <i>Succiniclasticum</i>. AP and SP differentially influenced intestinal metabolites compared to the CON group, leading to enrichment in pathways related to immunity, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory functions. These pathways included the biosynthesis of alkaloids from ornithine, lysine, and nicotinic acid, glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor canothersis/antagonists, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and alkaloid biosynthesis from histidine and purine, thus alleviating intestinal inflammation. Therefore, by supplementing with AP and SP, the diarrhea rate in calves was reduced, and the immune function of Holstein calves was enhanced, while simultaneously promoting a higher relative abundance of beneficial gut bacteria and suppressing the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, gut pathways associated with immune response and inflammation were modulated by AP and SP. This study provided valuable insights and theoretical underpinnings for the use of AP and SP in preventing diarrhea in neonatal calves. |
| format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-c100930a200c419fa0a6649425fa1f3a2025-08-20T03:11:18ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-02-0115448510.3390/ani15040485Microbiomic and Metabolomic Insights into the Mechanisms of Alfalfa Polysaccharides and Seaweed Polysaccharides in Alleviating Diarrhea in Pre-Weaning Holstein CalvesJianan Zhao0Haoliang Tian1Xiaohui Kong2Danqi Dang3Kaizhen Liu4Chuanyou Su5Hongxia Lian6Tengyun Gao7Tong Fu8Liyang Zhang9Wenqing Li10Wei Zhang11Henan International Joint Laboratory of Nutrition Regulation and Ecological Raising of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, ChinaHenan International Joint Laboratory of Nutrition Regulation and Ecological Raising of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, ChinaHenan International Joint Laboratory of Nutrition Regulation and Ecological Raising of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, ChinaHenan International Joint Laboratory of Nutrition Regulation and Ecological Raising of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, ChinaHenan International Joint Laboratory of Nutrition Regulation and Ecological Raising of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, ChinaHenan International Joint Laboratory of Nutrition Regulation and Ecological Raising of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, ChinaHenan International Joint Laboratory of Nutrition Regulation and Ecological Raising of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, ChinaHenan International Joint Laboratory of Nutrition Regulation and Ecological Raising of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, ChinaHenan International Joint Laboratory of Nutrition Regulation and Ecological Raising of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, ChinaHenan International Joint Laboratory of Nutrition Regulation and Ecological Raising of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, ChinaHenan International Joint Laboratory of Nutrition Regulation and Ecological Raising of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, ChinaHenan International Joint Laboratory of Nutrition Regulation and Ecological Raising of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, ChinaNeonatal calves’ diarrhea, which can be severe enough to cause death, has a significant impact on the global cattle industry. In this study, alfalfa polysaccharides and seaweed polysaccharides were found to significantly improve the diarrhea condition in neonatal calves. To explore the underlying mechanisms, further microbiomic and metabolomic analyses were conducted. This study investigated the impact of alfalfa polysaccharides and seaweed polysaccharides on growth performance, serum metabolites, gut microbiota, and metabolomics in neonatal Holstein calves. A total of 24 newborn calves were randomly assigned to three groups, with 8 calves per treatment group. The control (CON) group was fed a basal diet, the alfalfa polysaccharide (AP) group received a basal diet supplemented with alfalfa polysaccharides (4 g/calf/day), and the seaweed polysaccharide group (SP) received a basal diet supplemented with seaweed polysaccharides (4 g/calf/day). These polysaccharides were plant extracts. Compared to the CON group, the results indicated that SP significantly enhanced the body weight, height, chest circumference, and average daily gain of Holstein calves (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while also reducing the diarrhea rate and improving manure scoring (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Compared to the CON, AP also reduced the diarrhea rate (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In terms of serum biochemistry, supplementation with AP and SP increased serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels compared to the CON group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Both AP and SP elevated serum catalase (CAT) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (T-AOC) levels, indicating enhanced antioxidant status (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Regarding immune responses, supplementation with AP and SP significantly increased serum complement component 3 (C3) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels, while significantly reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-18 (IL-18), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) compared to the CON group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Microbiota analysis revealed that AP modulated the abundance of <i>Firmicutes</i>, while SP influenced the abundance of <i>Prevotella</i> and <i>Succiniclasticum</i>. AP and SP differentially influenced intestinal metabolites compared to the CON group, leading to enrichment in pathways related to immunity, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory functions. These pathways included the biosynthesis of alkaloids from ornithine, lysine, and nicotinic acid, glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor canothersis/antagonists, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and alkaloid biosynthesis from histidine and purine, thus alleviating intestinal inflammation. Therefore, by supplementing with AP and SP, the diarrhea rate in calves was reduced, and the immune function of Holstein calves was enhanced, while simultaneously promoting a higher relative abundance of beneficial gut bacteria and suppressing the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, gut pathways associated with immune response and inflammation were modulated by AP and SP. This study provided valuable insights and theoretical underpinnings for the use of AP and SP in preventing diarrhea in neonatal calves.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/485alfalfa polysaccharidescalves’ diarrheagrowth performancegut microbesseaweed polysaccharidesnontargeted metabolomics |
| spellingShingle | Jianan Zhao Haoliang Tian Xiaohui Kong Danqi Dang Kaizhen Liu Chuanyou Su Hongxia Lian Tengyun Gao Tong Fu Liyang Zhang Wenqing Li Wei Zhang Microbiomic and Metabolomic Insights into the Mechanisms of Alfalfa Polysaccharides and Seaweed Polysaccharides in Alleviating Diarrhea in Pre-Weaning Holstein Calves Animals alfalfa polysaccharides calves’ diarrhea growth performance gut microbes seaweed polysaccharides nontargeted metabolomics |
| title | Microbiomic and Metabolomic Insights into the Mechanisms of Alfalfa Polysaccharides and Seaweed Polysaccharides in Alleviating Diarrhea in Pre-Weaning Holstein Calves |
| title_full | Microbiomic and Metabolomic Insights into the Mechanisms of Alfalfa Polysaccharides and Seaweed Polysaccharides in Alleviating Diarrhea in Pre-Weaning Holstein Calves |
| title_fullStr | Microbiomic and Metabolomic Insights into the Mechanisms of Alfalfa Polysaccharides and Seaweed Polysaccharides in Alleviating Diarrhea in Pre-Weaning Holstein Calves |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbiomic and Metabolomic Insights into the Mechanisms of Alfalfa Polysaccharides and Seaweed Polysaccharides in Alleviating Diarrhea in Pre-Weaning Holstein Calves |
| title_short | Microbiomic and Metabolomic Insights into the Mechanisms of Alfalfa Polysaccharides and Seaweed Polysaccharides in Alleviating Diarrhea in Pre-Weaning Holstein Calves |
| title_sort | microbiomic and metabolomic insights into the mechanisms of alfalfa polysaccharides and seaweed polysaccharides in alleviating diarrhea in pre weaning holstein calves |
| topic | alfalfa polysaccharides calves’ diarrhea growth performance gut microbes seaweed polysaccharides nontargeted metabolomics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/485 |
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