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Dynamic Shifts in Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Pathways of Xinggao Mutton Sheep During Weaning: A Multi-Omics Analysis
by
,
Xiaolong He
1,2,
Jingda Yuan
1,2,
Biao Wang
1,2,
Qing Qin
1,2,
Rigele Te
1,2,
Lai Da
1,2,
Xuewen Liu
3 and
Shaoyin Fu
1,2,* 1
Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural & Animal Husbandry Sciences, No. 22 Zhaojun Road, Hohhot 010031, China
2
National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Genetic Resource Evaluation and Breeding Technology of Mutton Sheep, Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural & Animal Husbandry Sciences, No. 22 Zhaojun Road, Hohhot 010031, China
3
College of Animal Science, Xing’an Polytechnic University, No. 160 Wucha Road, Ulanhot 137700, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2026, 16(10), 1532; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16101532 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 24 March 2026
/
Revised: 7 May 2026
/
Accepted: 12 May 2026
/
Published: 16 May 2026
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Molecular Genetics and Breeding of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats, 2nd Edition)
Simple Summary
This study investigated intestinal microbial and serum metabolic changes, along with their correlations, in Xinggao mutton sheep pre- and post-weaning. The dominant intestinal phylum shifted from Firmicutes to Bacteroidota after weaning. Multi-omics analysis revealed associations between specific bacteria and metabolite production. These findings clarify the weaning adaptation mechanism and provide a theoretical basis for optimizing breeding strategies.
Abstract
The composition and function of the intestinal microbiota of Xinggao mutton sheep were explored before and post-weaning using non-target metabolomics. Both 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing technology and serum non-target metabolomics were used to determine changes in sheep metabolites and intestinal flora. A random sampling method was used to collect fecal samples from 20 pre-weaning lambs and 20 lambs post-weaning. Analysis of the intestinal flora identified Firmicutes as the predominant phylum pre-weaning and Bacteroidota as the dominant phylum post-weaning. Joint multi-omics analysis revealed that Oscillospiraceae UCG-005 and Prevotella_9 were significantly correlated with serum L-tyrosine, Indole-3-acrylic acid, and taurine-related metabolites, suggesting their potential roles in modulating digestive health in Xinggao mutton sheep.
