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Animals
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Functional Prebiotics and Probiotics: Impact on Animal Growth, Development and...
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Functional Prebiotics and Probiotics: Impact on Animal Growth, Development and Health

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 5125

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ricardo Pinheiro de Souza Oliveira

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Guest Editor
Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, University de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Interests: identification and characterization of microbial biomolecules derived from probiotic bacteria; the development of innovative bioprocesses for their production and application in biotechnological and agro-industrial systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Taís Mayumi Kuniyoshi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Interests: proteins production and purification; antimicrobial peptides for ex vivo applications
Dr. Carlos Emilio Cabrera Matajira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, The Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Interests: animals' bacterial microorganisms isolation; infectious diseases; veterinary medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

From an animal health perspective, ongoing global health challenges and the growing issue of antibiotic resistance highlight the urgent need to promote the study of innovative strategies that contribute to preserving the health of various animal species. In this context, prebiotics and probiotics stand out as promising tools, offering sustainable solutions and positioning themselves as alternatives to the excessive use of antibiotics. Thus, this Special Issue will focus on exploring novel topics related to the impact of functional nutraceuticals applied to companions, livestock, and wildlife animals. Its scope will encompass research on the modulation of gut microbiota, their impact on the immune system, optimization of key physiological functions, prevention of infectious diseases, and their effects on zootechnical parameters. In addition, cutting-edge advances in personalized product design will be also covered, with a focus on encapsulated additives delivery systems, along with supplementary biotechnology strategies using circular economy principles.

Prof. Dr. Ricardo Pinheiro de Souza Oliveira
Dr. Taís Mayumi Kuniyoshi
Dr. Carlos Emilio Cabrera Matajira
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • animal health
  • antibiotic resistance
  • prebiotics
  • probiotics
  • sustainable solutions
  • gut microbiota
  • immune system
  • infectious diseases
  • biotechnological strategies
  • circular economy principles

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 1786 KB  
Article
Sequential Galacto- and Xylo-Oligosaccharide Feeding Transiently Modulates Gut Microbiota and Upregulates Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase in Weaning Piglets
by James S. Stanley, Stephen C. Mansbridge, Michael R. Bedford, Ian F. Connerton and Kenneth H. Mellits
Animals 2025, 15(21), 3210; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15213210 - 4 Nov 2025
Viewed by 554
Abstract
Improving growth and health at weaning remains a priority in pig production. This study investigates whether supplementation with galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs) followed by xylo-oligosaccharides (XOSs) improves performance and gut health of healthy 28-day old weaning piglets. Pigs received either a control basal (CON) diet, [...] Read more.
Improving growth and health at weaning remains a priority in pig production. This study investigates whether supplementation with galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs) followed by xylo-oligosaccharides (XOSs) improves performance and gut health of healthy 28-day old weaning piglets. Pigs received either a control basal (CON) diet, the CON diet containing 1% GOS for 7 days followed by the CON diet containing 0.017% XOS for 47 days (GXOS), or the CON diet for 7 days followed by the CON diet containing 0.017% XOS for 47 days (XOS). Body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio did not differ between diets from day 1 of weaning (d1) to d54. At d7, GXOS pigs showed increased jejunal and caecal α-diversity (Shannon, inverse Simpson), distinct ileal β-diversity (Yu and Clayton, Bray–Curtis, Jaccard), and greater short-chain fatty acid-producing Lactobacillus and Veillonella; no taxa remained differentially abundant by d22, and the XOS group showed no microbiota shifts throughout the study. Jejunal goblet cell density was lower in GXOS pigs at d7. Jejunal and caecal IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 gene expression was transiently greater at d7 in GXOS pigs, whereas by d22 cytokine/chemokine differences resolved, whilst intestinal alkaline phosphatase was upregulated in the ileum and caecum (XOS) and colon (GXOS and XOS). Sequential prebiotic switching and delayed XOS onset likely missed the immediate post-weaning window, during which the gut microbiota is most receptive to dietary modulation, consequently limiting potential performance gains; therefore, prebiotic timing, sequence, and duration are critical to achieving functional benefits at weaning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Prebiotics and Probiotics: Impact on Animal Growth, Development and Health)
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14 pages, 1416 KB  
Article
Bacillus spp. Potentiate the Virulence and Intracellular Invasion of A. paragallinarum in Chickens
by Jiajia Zhu, Ying Liu, Ting Gao, Yunsheng Chen, Keli Yang, Wei Liu, Kui Zhu and Danna Zhou
Animals 2025, 15(14), 2076; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15142076 - 14 Jul 2025
Viewed by 714
Abstract
Coinfection poses severe threats to poultry health, particularly due to the complexity and resilience of multispecies interactions, increasing the difficulty of treatment. Haemophilus spp., a heterotrophic bacterium, heavily relies on extracellular growth factors acquired from other organisms or its surrounding environment. Although coinfections [...] Read more.
Coinfection poses severe threats to poultry health, particularly due to the complexity and resilience of multispecies interactions, increasing the difficulty of treatment. Haemophilus spp., a heterotrophic bacterium, heavily relies on extracellular growth factors acquired from other organisms or its surrounding environment. Although coinfections by Avibacterium paragallinarum and Bacillus have been reported, the underlying mechanism of the cooperative interaction remains poorly understood. In this study, we characterized the growth-promoting properties and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide production of some Bacillus species, including probiotic Bacillus, to evaluate the feasibility of A. paragallinarum coinfection in vitro. Meanwhile, we determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and population dynamics of cocultured Bacillus and A. paragallinarum to assess the effect of bacterial interactions on antibiotic efficacy. Additionally, we demonstrated that B. cereus aggravates rhinitis symptoms in chickens infected with A. paragallinarum. Our findings reveal that Bacillus spp.-derived metabolites sustain A. paragallinarum growth and enhance its survival, thereby highlighting the infection risks associated with Bacillus colonization in the respiratory tract. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Prebiotics and Probiotics: Impact on Animal Growth, Development and Health)
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Review

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33 pages, 891 KB  
Review
The Role of Probiotics in Enhancing Animal Health: Mechanisms, Benefits, and Applications in Livestock and Companion Animals
by Sorin Marian Mârza, Camelia Munteanu, Ionel Papuc, Lăcătuş Radu and Robert Cristian Purdoiu
Animals 2025, 15(20), 2986; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15202986 - 15 Oct 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3290
Abstract
This review examines the diverse ways in which probiotics, defined as live microorganisms that provide health benefits to the host when administered in adequate amounts, contribute to animal health and welfare across both livestock and companion species. By modulating gut microbiota, enhancing immune [...] Read more.
This review examines the diverse ways in which probiotics, defined as live microorganisms that provide health benefits to the host when administered in adequate amounts, contribute to animal health and welfare across both livestock and companion species. By modulating gut microbiota, enhancing immune responses, and suppressing harmful pathogens, probiotics represent an effective strategy for disease prevention and performance improvement without reliance on antibiotics. In livestock production, these beneficial microbes have been shown to optimize feed utilization, support growth, and reduce methane emissions, thereby contributing to more sustainable farming practices. Their role extends beyond productivity, as probiotics also help mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by offering natural alternatives to conventional treatments. In aquaculture, they further promote environmental sustainability by improving water quality and reducing pathogen loads. For companion animals such as dogs and cats, probiotics are increasingly recognized for their ability to support gastrointestinal balance, alleviate stress through gut–brain axis interactions, and aid in the management of common conditions including diarrhea, food sensitivities, and allergies. The integration of probiotics into veterinary practice thus reflects a growing emphasis on holistic and preventive approaches to animal health. Despite these advances, several challenges remain, including variability in strain-specific efficacy, regulatory limitations, and cost-effectiveness in large-scale applications. Emerging research into precision probiotics, host–microbiome interactions, and innovative delivery methods offers promising avenues to overcome these barriers. As such, probiotics can be regarded not only as functional supplements but also as transformative tools that intersect animal health, productivity, and sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Prebiotics and Probiotics: Impact on Animal Growth, Development and Health)
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