scholarly journals Effects of Clostridium butyricum and Enterococcus faecalis on growth performance, intestinal structure, and inflammation in lipopolysaccharide-challenged weaned piglets

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (10) ◽  
pp. 4140-4151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kangli Wang ◽  
Guangyong Chen ◽  
Guangtian Cao ◽  
Yinglei Xu ◽  
Yongxia Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Intestinal Flora ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Clostridium Butyricum ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Inflammatory Factor ◽  
Weaned Piglets

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Clostridium butyricum and Enterococcus faecalis on growth performance, immune function, inflammation-related pathways, and microflora community in weaned piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). One hundred and eighty 28-d-old weaned piglets were randomly divided into 3 treatments groups: piglets fed with a basal diet (Con), piglets fed with a basal diet containing 6 × 109 CFU C. butyricum·kg−1 (CB), and piglets fed with a basal diet containing 2 × 1010 CFU E. faecali·kg−1 (EF). At the end of trial, 1 pig was randomly selected from for each pen (6 pigs per treatment group) and these 18 piglets were orally challenged with LPS 25 μg·kg−1 body weight. The result showed that piglets fed C. butyricum and E. faecalis had greater final BW compared with the control piglets (P < 0.05). The C. butyricum and E. faecalis fed piglets had lower levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), IL-1β, tumor inflammatory factor-α (TNF-α), and had greater level of serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ) than control piglets at 1.5 and 3 h after injection with LPS (P < 0.05). Furthermore, piglets in the C. butyricum or E. faecalis treatment groups had a greater ratio of jejunal villus height to crypt depth (V/C) compared with control piglets after challenge with LPS for 3 h (P < 0.05). Compared with the control treatment, the CB and EF treatments significantly decreased the expression of inflammation-related pathway factors (TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB) after challenge with LPS for 3 h (P < 0.05). High-throughput sequencing revealed that C. butyricum and E. faecalis modulated bacterial diversity in the colon. The species richness and alpha diversity (Shannon) of bacterial samples in CB or EF piglets challenged with LPS were higher than those in LPS-challenged control piglets. Furthermore, the relative abundance of Bacteroidales-Rikenellanceae in the CB group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05), whereas EF piglets had a higher relative abundance of Lactobacillus amylovorus and Lactobacillus gasseri (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with C. butyricum or E. faecalis promoted growth performance, improved immunity, relieved intestinal villus damage and inflammation, and optimized the intestinal flora in LPS-challenged weaned piglets.

Effects of Clostridium butyricum and Enterococcus faecalis on growth performance, immune function, intestinal morphology, volatile fatty acids, and intestinal flora in a piglet model

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 7844-7854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kangli Wang ◽  
Guangtian Cao ◽  
Haoran Zhang ◽  
Qing Li ◽  
Caimei Yang
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Intestinal Flora ◽  
Clostridium Butyricum ◽  
Intestinal Morphology

We investigated the effects of Clostridium butyricum and Enterococcus faecalis (probiotics) in a piglet model.

scholarly journals Effects of Yucca Shidigera Extract and Candida Utilis on Growth Performance and Intestinal Health of Weaned Piglets

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenguo Yang ◽  
Yao Wang ◽  
Tianle He ◽  
Ziema Bumbie Gifty ◽  
Zhihong Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Candida Utilis ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Intestinal Flora ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Good Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intestinal Health ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Cecal Microflora

Abstract BackgroundEconomic benefit is an important goal pursued by animal husbandry industry. The emergence of antibiotics has promoted the development of animal husbandry, but many problems caused by the abuse of antibiotics have caused concerns about the use of antibiotics from all walks of life. Therefore, it is imperative to find alternatives to antibiotics. A large number of studies have shown that plant extracts and probiotics have certain potential in improving animal growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immune function. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of Yucca Shidigera Extract (YSE) and Candida Utilis (CU) on weaned piglets. We compared and evaluated the effects of YSE and CU on weaned piglets from the aspects of growth performance, immunity, antioxidant function, ileal morphology and microflora changes. Forty 28-day-old healthy weaned piglets (Rongchang pig×Landrace×Large white) were randomly divided into 4 treatments: (1) control group (CON); (2) CU; (3) YSE; (4) CU+YSE. ResultsOur results showed that YSE and CU improved the growth performance by significantly increasing final weight, average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05), and there is decreasing trend of feed/gain ratio (P=0.087). The effect of adding YSE or CU alone on growth performance had little difference, and the effect of oral CU was slightly better than that of adding YSE. At the same time, the combination of YSE and CU had a good effect on reducing the diarrhea rate. In addition, both YSE and CU increased the diversity of cecal microflora, and CU increased the diversity more significantly, but did not change the dominant microflora of cecum. We also found that the addition of YSE and CU could maintain the structural integrity of intestinal tissue and regulate intestinal pH, to maintain the level of intestinal-associated immune proteins. At the same time, YSE and CU have certain benefits in regulating intestinal flora. ConclusionYSE and CU can improve the growth performance, reduce the diarrhea rate, improve intestinal health, and increase the diversity and abundance of cecal microflora in weaned piglets. Therefore, they are expected to be used as probiotics in the production of weaned piglets.

scholarly journals Effects of Dietary Zinc Sources on Growth Performance and Gut Health of Weaned Piglets

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Diao ◽  
Jiayou Yan ◽  
Shuwei Li ◽  
Shengyao Kuang ◽  
Xiaolan Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Expression Level ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mrna Expression Level ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Zinc Sources

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary zinc sources on the growth performance and gut health of weaned piglets. In total, 96 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) weaned piglets with an initial average body weight of 8.81±0.42kg were divided into four groups, with six replicates per treatment and four pigs per replicate. The dietary treatment groups were as follows: (1) control group, basal diet; (2) zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) group, basal diet +100mg/kg ZnSO4; (3) glycine zinc (Gly-Zn) group, basal diet +100mg/kg Gly-Zn and (4) zinc lactate group, and basal diet +100mg/kg zinc lactate. The whole trial lasted for 28days. Decreased F/G was noted in the Gly-Zn and zinc lactate groups (p&lt;0.05). The zinc lactate group had a lower diarrhea rate than the control group (p&lt;0.05). Moreover, the ZnSO4, Gly-Zn, and zinc lactate groups had significantly higher apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude ash, and zinc than the control group (p&lt;0.05). The Gly-Zn and zinc lactate groups had higher jejunal villus height and a higher villus height:crypt depth ratio than the control group (p&lt;0.05). In addition, the ZnSO4, Gly-Zn and zinc lactate groups had a significantly lower mRNA expression level of jejunal ZRT/IRT-like protein 4 (ZIP4) and higher mRNA expression level of jejunal interleukin-1β (IL-1β) than the control group (p&lt;0.05). The mRNA expression level of jejunal zinc transporter 2 (ZNT2) was higher and that of jejunal Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) was lower in the Gly-Zn and zinc lactate groups than in the control group (p&lt;0.05). Moreover, the zinc lactate group had a higher count of Lactobacillus spp. in the cecal digesta and higher mRNA expression levels of jejunal occludin and mucin 2 (MUC2) than the control group (p&lt;0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 100mg/kg ZnSO4, Gly-Zn, or zinc lactate could improve the growth performance and gut barrier function of weaned piglets. Dietary supplementation with organic zinc, particularly zinc lactate, had the best effect.

scholarly journals The Effects of Different Levels of Citric Acid on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Gastrointestinal pH of Weaned Piglets

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi Wenying ◽  
Lu Chunlian ◽  
Li Shang ◽  
Song Jiachun ◽  
Cao Hongzhan
Keyword(s):  
Citric Acid ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Gastrointestinal Ph ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Different Levels

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of citric acid (CA) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and gastrointestinal pH of weaned piglets. Methods: A total of 120 weaned piglets with an initial BW of 7.15±0.01 kg, were randomly divided into four groups including control treatment each with three replicates of 10 piglets each. Each group was supplemented with 0.5% (control group), 1%, 1.5% and 2% CA in the basal diet, respectively. Result: The results showed that the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) of added 1% CA group were significantly higher than that of 0.5% group (P less than 0.05). Dietary CA significantly improved the utilization rates of crude protein, calcium and phosphorus (P less than 0.05), while there was no significant difference between adding 1% and 1.5% CA (P greater than 0.05). Compared with the control group, adding CA effectively reduced the pH of the stomach, duodenum jejunum and ileum contents and adding 2% CA were significantly lower than those in other groups (P less than 0.05). Therefore, the addition of 1.0% CA in the diets of weaned piglets is suitable.

scholarly journals PSVI-40 Effects of dietary glucan on intestinal morphology, immunity response, barrier function and antioxidant capacity in weaning pigs

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 212-213
Author(s):  
xia xiong ◽  
Lvliang Wu ◽  
Yirui Shao ◽  
Jian zou ◽  
Yulong Yin
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Weaning Piglets

Abstract Glucan has been studied as a potential alternative to antibiotics for animals in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary glucan on growth performance and gut health of weaning piglets, which is a water-soluble extracellular ꞵ-glucan produced by Agrobacterium sp. ZX09. A total of 108 weaned piglets (21 d of age; 6.05 ± 0.36 kg) were randomly assigned (6 pens/diet; 18 piglets/pen) to 3 dietary treatments consisting of a basal diet (control group) or the basal diet supplemented with 20 ppm olaquindox or 200 ppm glucan for 14 days, respectively. The results showed that piglets fed with glucan had greater (P &lt; 0.05) body weight and average daily gain than piglets in control group. Piglets fed with glucan or antibiotic had greater villus height to crypt depth ratio on duodenum compared with control group (P &lt; 0.05). The mRNA expression of Claudin-1 on duodenum or ileum was higher (P &lt; 0.05) in glucan group than that on the other groups. The mRNA expression of TLR4, MYD88 and NFκB on jejunum were lower (P &lt; 0.05) in glucan or antibiotic group than those in control group. Dietary supplementation with glucan tended to increase the IL-10 and SIgA concentration on ileum (0.05 &lt; P &lt; 0.1). Dietary supplementation with glucan tended to increase the total antioxidant capacity on jejunum (P = 0.093). In conclusion, 200 ppm glucan or 20 ppm olaquindox can improve the growth performance of weaning piglets. The glucan may can accelerate the growth of weaned piglets by improving gut health. This research will provide guidance for the olaquindox alternative on growing piglets.

scholarly journals PSII-38 Tolerable upper intake levels of iron damage the intestine and alter the intestinal flora in weaned piglets

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 381-381
Author(s):  
Haoxuan Ding ◽  
Jianan Han ◽  
Jie Feng
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Iron Supplementation ◽  
Intestinal Flora ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Duodenal Mucosa ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Iron Storage ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Weaned Piglet

Abstract Iron supplementation has been an intervention to improve iron storage and prevent iron deficiency anaemia in weaned piglets. NRC has set recommended nutrient intake (RNI) and tolerable upper intake levels (UL). The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential harm of UL iron to the gut and microbes of weaned piglets. Thirty 23-day old weaned piglets assigned to three dietary treatments: a basal diet supplemented with 100 (RNI), 300, or 3000 (UL) mg FeSO4/kg diet for 28 days. Piglets were then euthanized, and the gut and cecum microbes were collected. UL iron significantly reduced the height of the villi in the duodenum, ileum, and jejunum of weaned piglets, and showed duodenal mitochondrial swelling (P &lt; 0.05). The addition of UL iron to the diet significantly reduced the expression of tight junction proteins Claudin-1, Occludin, and ZO-1 in weaned piglet duodenal mucosa (P &lt; 0.05). The protein levels of DMT1 and Zip14 decreased (P &lt; 0.05), and the protein levels of ferritin increased in the duodenal mucosa of UL iron fed weaned piglets (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, UL iron also increased the content of ROS and MDA and decreased the activity of SOD in the weaned piglet duodenal mucosa (P &lt; 0.05). Additionally, UL iron significantly increased intestinal microbial diversity and species richness in weaned piglets. At the phylum level, UL iron supplementation was associated with a significant increase in Proteobacteria relative abundance, and significantly decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes (P &lt; 0.05). At the genus level, the relative abundance of Clostridiales, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotellaceae decreased significantly (P &lt; 0.05), while the relative abundance of Desulfovibrio and Anaerovibrio increased significantly (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, UL iron caused damage to the intestinal villi, damaged the intestinal barrier, reduced iron absorption, induced oxidative stress, led to histopathological changes, and modified the intestinal microbial structure in weaned piglets.

scholarly journals Potential Effects of Acidifier and Amylase as Substitutes for Antibiotic on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestion and Gut Microbiota in Yellow-Feathered Broilers

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1858
Author(s):  
Yibing Wang ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Xiajing Lin ◽  
Zhongyong Gou ◽  
Qiuli Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Jejunal Mucosa ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Nutrient Digestion ◽  
Zinc Bacitracin ◽  
High Level

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of acidifier (benzoic acid, BA), amylase (AL) and their combination as substitutes for antibiotics on growth performance, antioxidation, nutrient digestion and gut microbiota of yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 1440 twenty-one-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to six treatments. Broilers in the control group (CON) were fed a basal diet, whereas birds in the other five groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with antibiotic (zinc bacitracin, AT, 40 mg/kg), BA (2000 mg/kg), low level AL (AL-L, 300 mg/kg), high level AL (AL-H, 500 mg/kg) and the combination of AL-H and BA (BA+AL-H). The experimental animals were killed at the end of the trial (21 day-63 day) then blood samples were collected from two birds per pen. Bird weight, feed intake and survival rate were recorded on pen basis. Growth performance was not significantly influenced by AT, BA, AL-L, AL-H or BA+AL-H. Plasma uric acid (UA) was decreased from CON by all treatments; the activity of AKP in plasma was also lowered by AT, BA, AL-H and BA+AL-H. Plasma activity of LDH was reduced by BA. In the jejunal mucosa, Na+K+-ATP activity was increased by BA, AL-L, AL-H and BA+AL-H. Mucosal activities of T-AOC and CAT were increased with AL-L and AT supplementation, respectively. Additionally, the relative abundance of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the cecal contents was reduced by BA+AL-H and, with the exception of AL-H, all treatments increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus. In conclusion, dietary AT, BA, AL-L, AL-H or BA+AL were effective in improving the antioxidant capacity, nutrient digestion and gut microbiota composition. No significant differences were observed in the tested variables between AT and other treatments, indicating that BA, AL and their combination may be alternatives to dietary inclusion of zinc bacitracin. Dietary addition of 500 mg/kg AL and 2000 mg/kg BA was an optimum supplementation dose.

scholarly journals Effects of Clostridium butyricum and a Bacteriophage Cocktail on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemistry, Digestive Enzyme Activities, Intestinal Morphology, Immune Responses, and the Intestinal Microbiota in Rabbits

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1347
Author(s):  
Pan Huang ◽  
Xuemei Cui ◽  
Zhipeng Wang ◽  
Chenwen Xiao ◽  
Quanan Ji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Digestive Enzyme ◽  
Microbial Community Composition ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Clostridium Butyricum ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
G Ratio

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of dietary supplementation with Clostridium butyricum (CB) and a bacteriophage cocktail (BP) on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, intestinal digestive and oxidase enzymes, intestinal morphology, immune responses, and the cecum microbiota in rabbits. In total, 108 New Zealand rabbits (5 weeks old) were randomly and equally allotted into three dietary treatment groups (four replicates per treatment, n = 36/treatment): (1) the control (CN) group—rabbits fed the basal diet; (2) CB group—rabbits fed the basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg diet Clostridium butyricum; and (3) BP group—rabbits fed the basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg diet BP cocktail, respectively, for 6 weeks. Compared with the CN diet, dietary CB and BP inclusion increased the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) and decreased the feed/gain (F/G) ratio of rabbits. Furthermore, CB increased the digestive enzyme activity (α-amylase and trypsin in the ileum); the chymotrypsin activity was also significantly increased in the duodenum and jejunum. Supplementation with CB significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity (SOD and GSH-Px) in the jejunum and ileum and reduced MDA levels. Additionally, rabbits fed CB had significantly elevated villus height (V) and (V/C) ratios but reduced crypt depth (C). Moreover, dietary CB supplementation markedly increased the ileal expression of tight junction proteins (occludin, ZO-1, and claudin-1) and increased secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) production. High-throughput sequencing indicated that the microbiota in the rabbit intestine was altered by CB and BP. Venn diagrams and heatmap plots revealed that the gut microbial community composition varied obviously among rabbits fed different diets. Specifically, CB increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria to maintain intestinal barrier homeostasis, whereas BP decreased the relative abundance of Gammaproteobacteria, which included a plenty of pathogenic bacteria.

scholarly journals Effects of Clostridium butyricum on growth performance, metabonomics and intestinal microbial differences of weaned piglets

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Liang ◽  
Shasha Kou ◽  
Cheng Chen ◽  
Sayed Haidar Abbas Raza ◽  
Sihu Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Intestinal Microbiota ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Clostridium Butyricum ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Bacterial Phyla

Abstract Background Weaning stress of piglets causes a huge economic loss to the pig industry. Balance and stability of the intestinal microenvironment is an effective way to reduce the occurance of stress during the weaning process. Clostridium butyricum, as a new microecological preparation, is resistant to high temperature, acid, bile salts and some antibiotics. The aim of present study is to investigate the effects of C. butyricum on the intestinal microbiota and their metabolites in weaned piglets. Results There was no statistical significance in the growth performance and the incidence of diarrhoea among the weaned piglets treated with C. butyricum during 0–21 days experimental period. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that the operational taxonomic units (OTUs), abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE) and Chao index of the CB group were found to be significantly increased compared with the NC group (P < 0.05). Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Tenericutes were the predominant bacterial phyla in the weaned piglets. A marked increase in the relative abundance of Megasphaera, Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group and Prevotellaceae_UCG-003, along with a decreased relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 was observed in the CB group, when compared with the NC group (P < 0.05). With the addition of C. butyricum, a total of twenty-two significantly altered metabolites were obtained in the feces of piglets. The integrated pathway analysis by MetaboAnalyst indicated that arginine and proline metabolism; valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis; and phenylalanine metabolism were the main three altered pathways, based on the topology. Furthermore, Spearman’s analysis revealed some altered gut microbiota genus such as Oscillospira, Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group, Megasphaera, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Prevotella_2, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and Prevotellaceae_UCG-003 were associated with the alterations in the fecal metabolites (P < 0.05), indicating that C. butyricum presented a potential protective impact through gut microbiota. The intestinal metabolites changed by C. butyricum mainly involved the variation of citrulline, dicarboxylic acids, branched-chain amino acid and tryptophan metabolic pathways. Conclusions Overall, this study strengthens the idea that the dietary C. butyricum treatment can significantly alter the intestinal microbiota and metabolite profiles of the weaned piglets, and C. butyricum can offer potential benefits for the gut health.

scholarly journals Effects of Dietary Supplementation With Clostridium butyricum on the Amelioration of Growth Performance, Rumen Fermentation, and Rumen Microbiota of Holstein Heifers

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Li ◽  
Yiqiang Wang ◽  
Jingyi Lv ◽  
Xiujing Dou ◽  
Yonggen Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Rumen Fermentation ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
Clostridium Butyricum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Molar Proportion

In China, the use of antibiotics growth promoters as feed additives has been banned. The goal of raising dairy heifers is to gain a relatively high body weight on a high-fiber diet at first mating or calving, thus increasing economic benefits. The objective of this experiment was to explore the effects of supplemental Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) on growth performance, rumen fermentation and microbiota, and blood parameters in Holstein heifers. Twenty Holstein heifers [mean ± standard deviation (SD); age = 182 ± 4.20 d, body weight = 197.53 ± 5.94 kg, dry matter intake (DMI) = 6.10 ± 0.38 kg] were randomly assigned to one of two diets group for a 42-day feeding period: (1) basal diet (an untreated control group, i.e., the CON group) or (2) basal diet plus daily 2 × 108 (colony-forming unit, CFU) of C. butyricum per kg of DMI per heifer (the CB group). The results demonstrated that C. butyricum supplementation increased the average daily gain from d 21 to 42 and DMI compared to the control group. Supplementation with C. butyricum significantly decreased the molar proportion of acetate and the acetate to propionate ratio but increased the molar proportion of butyrate and propionate. Compared with the control group, the relative abundance of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Ruminococcus albus, Ruminobacter amylophilus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Streptococcus bovis increased during the trial period in the CB group. However, C. butyricum had no significant effect on the blood parameters in Holstein heifers. In conclusion, these results show that feeding C. butyricum can improve growth performance and rumen fermentation without any negative impact on blood parameters in Holstein heifers.

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