Site-specific modulation of gut microbiota and fermentation patterns in lambs fed whole cottonseed
Abstract
BackgroundWhole cottonseed (WCS) is widely used in ruminant diets, but its impact on the spatial distribution of gastrointestinal microbiota and fermentation along the digestive tract remains unclear.MethodsTwenty-four male lambs (Mongolian × Small-tailed Han sheep crossbred), aged 3-4 months and weighing ~30 kg, were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: control (CT, no cottonseed), 7.5% cottonseed (WCS7.5), and 15% cottonseed (WCS15). The experiment followed a completely randomized design with a 14-day adaptation period and a 60-day experimental period.ResultsResults showed that average daily gain and final body weights increased linearly with rising WCS inclusion (P < 0.05), peaking in the WCS15 group. Dry matter intake remained consistent across groups, indicating feed conversion ratio (FCR) tended to decrease with WCS inclusion. At 30 days, WCS supplementation altered nutrient digestibility profiles, with WCS7.5 showing increased protein and fat digestibility. By 60 days, several digestibility parameters displayed quadratic responses, with greater values observed at WCS7.5 compared with WCS15, suggesting an inclusion-level-dependent response in nutrient utilization. Blood biochemical analysis revealed changes in serum biochemical profiles, including increased ALT and HDL cholesterol and decreased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the WCS15 group. Glucose and kidney function-related indicators were not adversely affected. Fermentation characteristics were altered, with WCS supplementation increasing the acetate-to-propionate ratio and producing site-specific changes in VFA profiles. Microbial diversity analysis showed limited overall effects of WCS supplementation; however, the observed feature count in the ileum was significantly affected by WCS inclusion (P < 0.05), indicating a site-specific response in microbial richness.ConclusionOverall, WCS supplementation resulted in site-specific alterations in gastrointestinal microbiota and fermentation characteristics, accompanied by changes in nutrient utilization and metabolic indicators. These findings suggest that the effects of WCS depend on both inclusion level and gastrointestinal location, emphasizing the importance of spatial microbial responses when evaluating dietary strategies in lambs.
Related
- Comparative evaluation of Bacillus and Lactobacillus in cottonseed hull fermentation.
- Brown sugar levels influence fermentation quality and microbiota of mixed wheat straw and Pennisetum giganteum silage
- Modulation of grape must vitamin content by oenological treatments affects Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation performance and wine volatile composition
- Effects of Dietary Digestible Energy Levels on Milk Performance, Rumen Fermentation, and Rumen Microbiota in Lactating Bactrian Camels from Southern Xinjiang.
- A tributyrin-monolaurin complex protects piglets against PEDV infection via viral inhibition, lipid metabolism restoration, and microbiota modulation
BibTeX
@article{zheng2026sitespecific,
title = {{Site-specific modulation of gut microbiota and fermentation patterns in lambs fed whole cottonseed}},
author = {Yaguang Zheng and David L. Harmon and Tao Guo and Jiali An and Baishan Song and Zixuan Wang and Wenwen Wang and Jingwei Qi and Yuan Wang and Yang Jia},
journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1970397},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1970397},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Site-specific modulation of gut microbiota and fermentation patterns in lambs fed whole cottonseed
AU - Yaguang Zheng
AU - David L. Harmon
AU - Tao Guo
AU - Jiali An
AU - Baishan Song
AU - Zixuan Wang
AU - Wenwen Wang
AU - Jingwei Qi
AU - Yuan Wang
AU - Yang Jia
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/03
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1970397
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1970397
AB - BackgroundWhole cottonseed (WCS) is widely used in ruminant diets, but its impact on the spatial distribution of gastrointestinal microbiota and fermentation along the digestive tract remains unclear.MethodsTwenty-four male lambs (Mongolian × Small-tailed Han sheep crossbred), aged 3-4 months and weighing ~30 kg, were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: control (CT, no cottonseed), 7.5% cottonseed (WCS7.5), and 15% cottonseed (WCS15). The experiment followed a completely randomized design with a 14-day adaptation period and a 60-day experimental period.ResultsResults showed that average daily gain and final body weights increased linearly with rising WCS inclusion (P < 0.05), peaking in the WCS15 group. Dry matter intake remained consistent across groups, indicating feed conversion ratio (FCR) tended to decrease with WCS inclusion. At 30 days, WCS supplementation altered nutrient digestibility profiles, with WCS7.5 showing increased protein and fat digestibility. By 60 days, several digestibility parameters displayed quadratic responses, with greater values observed at WCS7.5 compared with WCS15, suggesting an inclusion-level-dependent response in nutrient utilization. Blood biochemical analysis revealed changes in serum biochemical profiles, including increased ALT and HDL cholesterol and decreased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the WCS15 group. Glucose and kidney function-related indicators were not adversely affected. Fermentation characteristics were altered, with WCS supplementation increasing the acetate-to-propionate ratio and producing site-specific changes in VFA profiles. Microbial diversity analysis showed limited overall effects of WCS supplementation; however, the observed feature count in the ileum was significantly affected by WCS inclusion (P < 0.05), indicating a site-specific response in microbial richness.ConclusionOverall, WCS supplementation resulted in site-specific alterations in gastrointestinal microbiota and fermentation characteristics, accompanied by changes in nutrient utilization and metabolic indicators. These findings suggest that the effects of WCS depend on both inclusion level and gastrointestinal location, emphasizing the importance of spatial microbial responses when evaluating dietary strategies in lambs.
SN - 1664-302X
ER -