Abstract
Simple SummaryWeaning stress is a serious problem in the goat production industry. This article demonstrates that weaning can induce intestinal oxidative damage, and adding Lactobacillus plantarum or Macleaya cordata can alleviate the oxidative damage of the lower gut in weaned young goats in an intestinal region-specific way.Weaning usually leads to stress in livestock, which has a negative impact on their growth and development. Research on oxidative stress and inflammation induced by weaning has not been reported in goats. Here, we focused on oxidative stress profile and inflammation status of the lower gut (jejunum, ileum, and colon) of goats. First, we illustrated the status of antioxidant activity and inflammation in the intestine of young goats on pre-(2 weeks postnatal, 2 wkpn) or post-(11 wkpn, weaning at day 45 postnatal)-weaned period of young goats. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was higher (p < 0.0001) in jejunum and ileum of the young goats in 11 wkpn than that in 2 wkpn, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was lower (p = 0.012) in the lower gut of the young goats with 11 wkpn than that in 2 wkpn. Furthermore, we intended to explore the protective influence of a probiotic additive (Lactobacillus plantarum (LAC) P-8, 10 g/d) and a prebiotic additive (Sangrovit®, Macleaya cordata (MAC) extract 3.75% w/w premix, 0.3 g/d) on intestinal oxidative stress and inflammation status of early-weaned young goats (average weights of 5.63 ± 0.30 kg, weaned on d 45 postnatal). We observed that LAC reduced MDA in jejunum and ileum (p < 0.0001), increased SOD activity in ileum (p < 0.01), and increased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in jejunum (p < 0.05). Similarly, MAC reduced MDA contents (p < 0.0001), increased SOD activities (p < 0.01) in both of ileum and jejunum, and increased GSH-Px activity (p < 0.05) in jejunum. However, there were no differences in feed intake, average daily gain, inflammation parameters (interleukin 2 and interleukin 6), and colon oxidative stress profile (MDA, SOD, or GSH-Px) among treatments. These results provide evidence that weaning induces oxidative damage in the lower gut of young goats, and the oxidative damage in the small intestine can be reduced by adding the addition of LAC or MAC in diets depending on the region of the lower gut.
Highlights
Weaning stress is still a long-standing challenge for the livestock productivity and health
The MDA contents in the jejunum and ileum for the postweaned young goats were higher than the preweaned young goats (0.99 ± 0.089 vs. 1.84 ± 0.28 and 0.82 ± 0.13 vs. 2.61 ± 0.09 nmol/mg·protein for jejunum and ileum, respectively; Figure 1)
There was no difference (p = 0.846) in GSH-Px activity observed between pre- and postweaned young goats; the GSH-Px activity was higher in the jejunum (p = 0.037) than the ileum and colon
Summary
Weaning stress is still a long-standing challenge for the livestock productivity and health. Weaning switches the diet of young mammals from a liquid feed to a completely solid feed, and is commonly associated with the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokine and overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [2]. Increased oxidative stress and inflammation induced by weaning in mammals have been reported [3,4,5]. Strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of ROS and inflammation include nutrient regulation and feeding management. Genus Lactobacillus (LAC) used as a probiotic additive to avoid the imbalance of redox homeostasis has been widely investigated in other animal species. Wu et al [6] have reported that
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
