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Nutrient Utilization, Requirements and Nutrigenomics in Sheep and Goats

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Small Ruminants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 June 2025 | Viewed by 16857

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Prof. Dr. Christopher D. Lu

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College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Interests: nutrition; goats; ruminants; Physiology; forage; ruminant nutrition; Nutritional Biochemistry; nutritional physiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The economic and social impacts of sheep and goat production in the improvement of living standards and alleviation of poverty in rural communities are recognized throughout the world. Understanding nutrient utilization by sheep and goats enhances the efficiency of production systems, maximizes resource economy, and minimizes the carbon footprint. Nutrient requirements can be one of the most important considerations for precision nutrition in sheep and goat production. Requirements and utilization of structural and nonstructural carbohydrates, degradable and bypass proteins, lipids, minerals, and vitamins are essential parts of this important scientific understanding. Nutrient requirements are affected by multiple factors such as individuality, genetics, climates, diet, age, and physiological stages, and continuous update of knowledge is essential. Recent advancements in nutrigenomics have led to improved knowledge on the molecular interaction between nutrients and other dietary bioactives with respect to the genome, effect of food constituents on gene expression, and influence of genetic variation on nutrition and, therefore, contributed to a better understanding of nutrient utilization and requirements. Such understanding allows optimizing and customizing nutrition with respect to a subject’s genotype and offers great potential for a more precise determination of nutrient requirements in sheep and goats. This Special Issue aims to promote better understanding of nutrient utilization and requirements in sheep and goats from the perspectives of traditional nutrition and nutrigenomics.

Prof. Dr. Christopher D. Lu
Guest Editor

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Keywords

nutrition
nutrient requirements
sheep
goats
nutrigenomics
utilization

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Research

15 pages, 3023 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Metabolite, Immunity, Antioxidant Capacity, and Rumen Microbiota Differences Between Ewes in Late Gestation Carrying Single, Twin, and Triplet Fetuses

by Jiaxin Chen, Chunhui Duan, Sicong Yue, Xiaona Liu, Jinhui Li, Yingjie Zhang and Yueqin Liu

Animals 2024, 14(22), 3326; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14223326 - 19 Nov 2024

Viewed by 964

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in the energy metabolites, immunity, antioxidant capacity, and rumen microbiota of ewes with different numbers of fetuses. Thirty healthy ewes were selected and divided into single- (SL, n = 10), twin- (TL, n = 10), and triplet-fetal (PL, n = 10) ewes according to the number of fetuses. Sampling was carried out on days 21 (Q21) and 7 (Q7) before lambing. The results show no differences (p > 0.05) in the DMI and BW of ewes with different numbers of fetuses, and the body condition score (BCS) of PL ewes was lower (p < 0.05) than that of SL ewes. The concentrations of β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the PL ewes were higher (p < 0.05), while the glucose (Glu), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) values were lower (p < 0.05) than those of the SL ewes. ANOSIM analysis showed that the rumen bacterial structure of the SL, TL, and PL ewes was different on days Q21 and Q7. The relative abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidota in the rumen was affected (p < 0.05) by the number of fetuses: the relative abundance of Firmicutes (Ruminococcus, Butyrivibrio, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group, Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group, and Anaeroplasma) was higher (p < 0.05), while that of Bacteroidota (Prevotella, Prevotellaceae_UCG-003, and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001) was lower (p < 0.05) in the SL ewes than in the PL ewes. In summary, the rumen microbial structure and energy metabolites of ewes in late gestation with different numbers of fetuses were different. Triplet-fetal ewes were characterized by lower BCS and antioxidant capacity and were prone to the triggering of inflammatory responses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Utilization, Requirements and Nutrigenomics in Sheep and Goats)

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17 pages, 1948 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Maternal Dietary Protein during Late Gestation on Performance of Black Bengal Does and Their Kids

by Md Sayaduzzaman Arafath, Mahadi Hasan, Jakia Sultana, Md Hasanur Alam, Asma Khatun and Mohammad Moniruzzaman

Animals 2024, 14(19), 2783; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14192783 - 26 Sep 2024

Viewed by 960

Abstract

The present study aimed to elucidate the effect of different levels of dietary protein during late pregnancy on the performance of Black Bengal does and their kids. Twelve does were divided into three groups, with four in each, and three diets, i.e., high protein (18% CP), medium protein (14% CP), and low protein (10% CP) were supplied for 50 days, commencing from 100 days post-coitum to parturition. During the first 100 days of pregnancy, uniform rations with similar ingredients were provided to fulfill the nutrient requirements depending on the live weight of does. All three diets were isocaloric (10.0 MJ/kg DM). Data were subjected to one-way ANOVA, and the significance of the difference among means was determined by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The main effects of diet and sex, as well as their interaction, were analyzed by two-way ANOVA by using the GLM procedure. The relative expression values of qPCR were calculated by using the 2^−ΔΔCt analysis method. Live weight gain was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in high-protein-fed dams than other groups during the experimental period. The milk yield of does was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in high-protein-fed goats than in the low-protein group. The lactation length of does was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the high- and medium-protein-fed does than in the low-protein-fed does. The duration of post-partum anestrus of does was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the low-protein-fed dams than in the high-protein group. The birth weight of kids tended to be higher in the high-protein group but did not differ significantly among the treatment groups. In male kids, weaning weight, final weight, live weight gain, and average daily gain were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in female kids. Weaning weight was higher (p < 0.05) in kids of the high-protein-fed does than the low-protein group. Final weight and live weight gain were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in kids of the high-protein-fed does than in the low-protein-fed group. On the other hand, average daily gain was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in kids of the high- and medium-protein-fed does than the low-protein group. The average body length and wither height of kids at the 32nd week was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in kids of high-protein-fed does than those of the low-protein-fed group. The average heart girth of kids at the 32nd week was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in kids of high-protein-fed does than the medium- and low-protein groups. The survival rate of kids was higher in the medium- and high-protein-fed does than in low-protein group. Hot carcass weight and ether extract content of meat were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the high-protein group than in the other groups. The dressing percentage was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the kids of high-protein-fed does than low-protein-fed goats. The expression of the H-FABP gene was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in kids of high-protein-fed does than those of the medium- and low-protein groups. In conclusion, maternal dietary protein levels positively influences the production performance of Black Bengal does and their kids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Utilization, Requirements and Nutrigenomics in Sheep and Goats)

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13 pages, 1879 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Changes in the Nutrient Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, Serum Parameters of Perinatal Ewes and Their Relationship with Rumen Microbiota

by Jiaxin Chen, Siwei Wang, Xuejiao Yin, Chunhui Duan, Jinhui Li, Yueqin Liu and Yingjie Zhang

Animals 2024, 14(16), 2344; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14162344 - 14 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1189

Abstract

Changes in physiological and biochemical parameters are crucial for the reproductive performance and health of perinatal ewes. This study investigated the temporal variations in feed intake, nutrient digestibility, serum parameters, and ruminal fermentation on days 21, 14, and 7 before lambing (Q21, Q14, and Q7) and days 3, 7, and 14 after lambing (H3, H7, and H14). The results showed that dry matter intake (DMI) and glucose (Glu) gradually decreased (p < 0.05) before lambing and increased (p < 0.05) after lambing. The digestibility of dry matter (DMD), crude protein (CPD), and acid detergent fiber (ADFD) increased (p < 0.05) before lambing, then decreased (p < 0.05) on day H3, and then increased (p < 0.05) on day H14. The rumen pH, NH₃-N, and triglycerides (TG) gradually increased (p < 0.05) before lambing and were higher (p < 0.05) on day Q7 than after lambing. The concentrations of acetate, butyrate, and total volatile fatty acids (T-VFA) were lower (p < 0.05) on day Q7 than those on days Q21 and Q14, then increased (p < 0.05) after lambing. Total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations gradually decreased (p < 0.05) in perinatal ewes. BHBA and NEFA concentrations were lower (p < 0.05) on day Q21 than those from days Q14 to H14. The rumen microbiota compositions were different (p < 0.05) in perinatal ewes, and g_Anaerovibrio, g_Lachnobacterium, and g_Schwartzia were positively correlated (p < 0.05) with DMI, Glu, acetate, propionate, and T-VFA, and negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with LDL-C. g_Bacillus was negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with DMI, Glu, acetate, propionate, butyrate, and T-VFA, but positively correlated (p < 0.05) with rumen pH and LDL-C. In summary, the DMI, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, and serum parameters changed during the perinatal period of ewes, and the changes in DMI, serum glucose, acetate, propionate, and T-VFA were related to the rumen bacteria. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Utilization, Requirements and Nutrigenomics in Sheep and Goats)

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11 pages, 909 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Calcium Requirement of Yunnan Semi-fine Wool Rams (Ovis aries) Based on Growth Performance, Calcium Utilization, and Selected Serum Biochemical Indexes

by Xiaojun Ni, Xiaoqi Zhao, Baiji Danzeng, Yinjiang Li, Allai Larbi, Hongyuan Yang, Yuanchong Zhao, Zhengrong You, Bai Xue and Guobo Quan

Animals 2024, 14(11), 1681; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111681 - 5 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1116

Abstract

Calcium (Ca) is required for the growth and development of sheep, but the requirement of Yunnan semi-fine wool (YSW) rams remains uncovered. The current study aims to estimate the Ca requirement of growing YSW rams based on their growth performance, Ca utilization, and serum biochemical indexes. Forty-five YSW rams (10-month-olds) were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments with varying Ca levels of 0.50% (D1), 0.68% (D2), 0.73% (D3), 0.89% (D4), and 0.98% (D5). A higher value for average daily gain and a lower value for the feed conversion ratio were observed in the D3 group compared to the D5 group (p < 0.05). The dry matter intake amount changed quadratically with the increased Ca levels (p < 0.05). The levels of Ca intake, fecal Ca, and excreted Ca were significantly higher in the D5 group than those in the D1 group (p < 0.05). The apparent Ca digestibility rate and the Ca retention rate were significantly higher in the D4 group than in the D1 group (p < 0.05). The serum Ca concentration increased linearly with the incremental levels of dietary Ca (p < 0.05). The activity of alkaline phosphatase was significantly higher in the D1 group than in the D2 group (p < 0.05). The serum levels of hydroxyproline, osteocalcin, and calcitonin decreased from the D1 group to the D2 group, and then significantly ascended (p < 0.05) with the dietary Ca levels from the D3 group to the D5 group. The serum parathyroid hormone content was elevated from the D1 group to the D3 group and then decreased from the D4 group to the D5 group. After calculation, the daily net Ca requirement for the maintenance of YSW rams was 0.073 g/kg of BW^0.75, and the daily total Ca requirement was 0.676 g/kg of BW^0.75. To optimize the growth performance and the Ca utilization of YSW rams, the recommended dietary Ca level ranges from 0.73% to 0.89% based on this study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Utilization, Requirements and Nutrigenomics in Sheep and Goats)

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14 pages, 232 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Effect of High Molybdenum Diet on Copper Status, Growth Performance, Blood Metabolites, Select Liver and Kidney Minerals, and Immune Responses of Boer Crosses

by Sandra G. Solaiman, Kyla A. Beguesse and Byeng R. Min

Animals 2024, 14(11), 1604; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111604 - 29 May 2024

Viewed by 1206

Abstract

This study examined the effects of elevated molybdenum (Mo) in goat diets on the growth, blood parameters, and immune responses in goats. Eighteen Boer crosses goats (BW = 25.6 ± 1.03 kg) were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: (1) control (no additional Mo), (2) 5 ppm Mo, and (3) 10 ppm Mo as ammonium molybdate was added to the grain mix. Animals were fed a 50:50 hay:grain diet ad libitum twice daily. Daily feed refusals were monitored, and intake was adjusted weekly. Body weights were recorded every 14 days and blood samples were collected on the second week of every month to determine Cu, Mo, Fe, Zn, and other blood metabolites. After 85 days, animals were humanely euthanized and carcass traits were measured. Liver, longissimus muscle area, and kidney samples were collected postmortem. Liver Cu (p < 0.003), blood triacylglycerides (p < 0.03), and serum total protein (p < 0.03) levels were reduced; the liver (p = 0.07) and kidney (p < 0.001) Mo concentrations were increased; and the immune response was decreased linearly (p < 0.01) with additional Mo. Low levels of Cu with increasing Mo levels in the diet did not negatively impact animal performance or blood metabolites, in the duration of this study (85 days); however, it lowered the liver Cu, Fe, and immune responses in goats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Utilization, Requirements and Nutrigenomics in Sheep and Goats)

11 pages, 270 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Low and High Maternal Protein Intake on Fetal Skeletal Muscle miRNAome in Sheep

by Bilal Akyüz, Md Mahmodul Hasan Sohel, Yusuf Konca, Korhan Arslan, Kutlay Gürbulak, Murat Abay, Mahmut Kaliber, Stephen N. White and Mehmet Ulas Cinar

Animals 2024, 14(11), 1594; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111594 - 28 May 2024

Viewed by 1976

Abstract

Prenatal maternal feeding plays an important role in fetal development and has the potential to induce long-lasting epigenetic modifications. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding, single-stranded RNAs that serve as one epigenetic mechanism. Though miRNAs have crucial roles in fetal programming, growth, and development, there is limited data regarding the maternal diet and miRNA expression in sheep. Therefore, we analyzed high and low maternal dietary protein for miRNA expression in fetal longissimus dorsi. Pregnant ewes were fed an isoenergetic high-protein (HP, 160–270 g/day), low-protein (LP, 73–112 g/day), or standard-protein diet (SP, 119–198 g/day) during pregnancy. miRNA expression profiles were evaluated using the Affymetrix GeneChip miRNA 4.0 Array. Twelve up-regulated, differentially expressed miRNAs (DE miRNAs) were identified which are targeting 65 genes. The oar-3957-5p miRNA was highly up-regulated in the LP and SP compared to the HP. Previous transcriptome analysis identified that integrin and non-receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase genes targeted by miRNAs were detected in the current experiment. A total of 28 GO terms and 10 pathway-based gene sets were significantly (p_adj < 0.05) enriched in the target genes. Most genes targeted by the identified miRNAs are involved in immune and muscle disease pathways. Our study demonstrated that dietary protein intake during pregnancy affected fetal skeletal muscle epigenetics via miRNA expression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Utilization, Requirements and Nutrigenomics in Sheep and Goats)

15 pages, 1692 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preliminary Results on the Effects of Soybean Isoflavones on Growth Performance and Ruminal Microbiota in Fattening Goats

by Yuexin Shao, Junhong Xu, Mengyu Wang, Yalun Ren, Manhong Wei, Bowen Tian, Jun Luo, Juan J. Loor and Huaiping Shi

Animals 2024, 14(8), 1188; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14081188 - 15 Apr 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1935

Abstract

Soybean isoflavones (SIFs), a group of secondary metabolites, have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hormone-like activities. Supplementation with SIFs in the diet was reported to promote lactation performance in ruminants. The present study was performed to further decipher the effect of various concentrations of SIFs on growth and slaughter performance, serum parameters, meat quality, and ruminal microbiota in fattening goats. After a two-week acclimation, a total of 27 5-month-old Guanzhong male goats (18.29 ± 0.44 kg) were randomly assigned to control (NC), 100 mg/d SIF (SIF1), or 200 mg/d SIF (SIF2) groups. The experimental period lasted 56 days. The weight of the large intestine was greater (p < 0.05) in the SIF1 and SIF2 groups compared with the NC group. Meat quality parameters indicated that SIF1 supplementation led to lower (p < 0.05) cooking loss and shear force (0.05 < p < 0.10). The 16S rRNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that SIF1 supplementation led to lower (p < 0.05) proportions of Papillibacter and Prevotellaceae_UCG-004 but greater (p < 0.05) CAG-352 abundance in the rumen; these responses might have contributed to the improvement in production performance. In conclusion, meat quality and ruminal microbiome could be manipulated in a positive way by oral supplementation with 100 mg/d of SIFs in fattening goats. Thus, this study provides new insights and practical evidence for the introduction of SIFs as a novel additive in goat husbandry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Utilization, Requirements and Nutrigenomics in Sheep and Goats)

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12 pages, 278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Feed Ingredients with Different Protein-to-Fat Ratios on Growth, Slaughter Performance and Fat Deposition of Small-Tail Han Lambs

by Qin Li, Guishan Xu, Dong Yang, Yan Tu, Jianxin Zhang, Tao Ma and Qiyu Diao

Animals 2024, 14(6), 859; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14060859 - 11 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1805

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of feed ingredients with different protein-to-fat ratios on growth, slaughter performance and meat quality of Small-Tail Han lambs. Forty-five Small-Tail Han lambs (♂) (BW = 34.00 ± 2.5 kg, age = 120 ± 9 d) were randomly divided into groups with three different experimental treatments: (1) PF 5, with the ratio of protein to fat (CP:EE) of 50 to 5; (2) PF10, CP: EE = 50:10; (3) PF20, CP: EE = 50:20. Each treatment group had 15 lambs, and each sheep was a repeat. This experiment lasted for 65 days, with feed intake recorded daily, and animals being weighed on days 0, 30, and 65. At the conclusion of the experiment, eight lambs from each group were slaughtered to assess slaughter performance and meat quality. The results showed that the average daily gain (ADG) of the three groups were 315.27, 370.15 and 319.42 g/d, respectively. The PF10 group had the highest ADG (370.15 g) (p < 0.05). Forestomach weights (1216.88 g) of the PF10 group were significantly higher than those of the other groups (p < 0.05). There were no differences (p > 0.05) in fat percentages in various parts of body among treatments. Feed conversion of the PF10 group was higher (p < 0.05) than that of PF 5 and PF 20 groups. Furthermore, the PF10 group had a higher (p > 0.05) carcass weight and slaughter rate and there were few differences between the other groups in terms of dry matter intake, meat quality, organ weight, and fat deposition (p > 0.05). The protein–energy supplement with protein-to-fat ratio, PF10 appeared to be more desirable to promote the growth and development in Small-Tail Han Lambs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Utilization, Requirements and Nutrigenomics in Sheep and Goats)

11 pages, 1019 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nitrogen Utilization in Goats Consuming Buffelgrass Hay and Molasses-Based Blocks with Incremental Urea Levels

by Zaida Torres-Cavazos, Daniela S. Rico-Costilla, Gustavo Moreno-Degollado, Sara P. Hernández-Martínez, Gerardo Mendez-Zamora, Yareellys Ramos-Zayas and Jorge R. Kawas

Animals 2023, 13(21), 3370; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13213370 - 30 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1694

Abstract

The use of goats for meat production faces challenges from environmental and nutritional factors. Urea is an affordable non-protein nitrogen source commonly utilized in ruminant nutrition. The objective of this study was to investigate nitrogen utilization in goats fed low-quality hay supplemented with molasses blocks containing urea. Twenty Anglo-Nubian doelings were individually housed in metabolic cages and provided with chopped Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) hay ad libitum. Goats were randomly assigned to four urea levels (0, 2, 4, and 6%; n = 5 per treatment) in molasses blocks for a duration of 30 days. A negative nitrogen balance (−2.458 g/day) was observed in doelings consuming blocks without urea, compared with a positive balance (0.895 g/d) for those consuming the 6% urea blocks. Block nitrogen intake significantly increased with urea level, but urea supplementation did not affect dry matter (DM) or neutral detergent fiber (NDFom) intake or digestibility. A minimum crude protein (CP) requirement of 8% for maintenance in doelings consuming low-quality forage with a urea-based supplement was determined through regression analysis between CP intake (% of DM) and N balance (r² = 0.479; p < 0.002). The value of 8% of CP obtained in this study is similar to several previous studies reported in the literature, but in this case, the increments in CP came exclusively from urea. In this study, increasing the urea content of molasses blocks up to 6% significantly increased nitrogen intake, retention, and balance in goats. These results contribute to a better understanding of nitrogen utilization in goats fed low-quality hay with urea supplementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Utilization, Requirements and Nutrigenomics in Sheep and Goats)

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13 pages, 2421 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The miR-214-5p/Lactoferrin/miR-224-5p/ADAM17 Axis Is Involved in Goat Mammary Epithelial Cells’ Immune Regulation

by Shilong Pang, Yuexin Shao, Yan Yu, Kela Sha, Yanting Jiang, Xian Zhang, Yuling Zhong, Huaiping Shi and Weijuan Li

Animals 2023, 13(18), 2835; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13182835 - 6 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1653

Abstract

Lactoferrin (LF) is believed to be an important active protein in goat milk, which plays an anti-inflammatory role. Although LF has been reported to be associated with body health, its exact underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism of this anti-inflammatory effect of LF in vitro. We first identified that miR-214-5p inhibited the expression of LF mRNA and protein in cells through the 3′UTR of LF mRNA. We next identified the alterations in miRNA following LF overexpression in goat mammary epithelial cells (GEMCs). Overexpression of LF significantly increased (p < 0.05) miR-224-5p expression. We further revealed that transcriptional activation of ADAM17, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was efficiently decreased (p < 0.05) in GMECs treated by miR-224-5p mimic. Conversely, knockdown of miR-224-5p increased (p < 0.05) ADAM17, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 expression. Additionally, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 expression levels were dramatically decreased in GMECs after administration of siADAM17. Herein, we indicate that the miR-214-5p/LF/miR-224-5p/ADAM17 axis is involved in the immune regulation of GEMCs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Utilization, Requirements and Nutrigenomics in Sheep and Goats)

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