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Life
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Gut Health and Nutritional Strategies in Animals
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Gut Health and Nutritional Strategies in Animals

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 August 2026 | Viewed by 2221

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jian Ma

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
Interests: microbial community; feed evaluation; gut barrier function; feed additives
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Chunmei Du

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
Interests: exosome colitis; amino acid; multi-omics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Gut health plays a pivotal role in animal nutrition, immunity, and overall productivity, with the gut microbiome serving as a critical interface between diet and host physiology. Recent research highlights the profound impact of nutritional strategies on maintaining intestinal integrity, modulating microbial communities, and preventing metabolic disorders across diverse animal species, including livestock, poultry, and companion animals. This special issue aims to explore cutting-edge advancements in gut health research, with a focus on innovative nutritional interventions. Key topics will include: (1) Microbiome Modulation: The role of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics in shaping beneficial microbial ecosystems; (2) Dietary Formulations: Low-protein diets, functional fibers, and targeted amino acid profiles to reduce intestinal inflammation and enhance nutrient absorption; (3) Host-Microbe Interactions: Mechanisms linking gut health to systemic immunity, metabolic efficiency, and disease resistance. This special issue will bridge gaps between fundamental science and practical applications, offering actionable insights for sustainable animal production and welfare. We invite submissions addressing novel methodologies, feed nutritional evaluation in animals, and clinical trials validating nutritional strategies. By fostering dialogue among microbiologists, nutritionists, and veterinarians, we seek to advance global efforts toward precision feeding and microbiome-targeted therapies.

Dr. Jian Ma
Dr. Chunmei Du
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. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2600 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

  • microbiota
  • barrier function
  • immunity
  • precision feeding
  • additives

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 3839 KB  
Article
Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Rumen Microbiota and Reproductive Performance of Ewes
by Tingting Lu, Hui Chen, Jiaqi Liu, Tingting Li, Hao Lu, Reylağül Rehim, Haibo Lv, Chenyang Gao, Guodong Zhao and Kailun Yang
Life 2026, 16(5), 766; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16050766 - 2 May 2026
Viewed by 235
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of L-Citrulline (L-Cit) supplementation on the rumen microbiota and reproductive performance of Turpan black ewes (each ewe was supplemented with 12 g of L-Cit daily). A total of 120 multiparous Turpan black ewes aged 1.5–2.5 years, [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of L-Citrulline (L-Cit) supplementation on the rumen microbiota and reproductive performance of Turpan black ewes (each ewe was supplemented with 12 g of L-Cit daily). A total of 120 multiparous Turpan black ewes aged 1.5–2.5 years, with an average body weight of (52.35 ± 5.16) kg, were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (Con group) and an experimental group (L-Cit group), with 60 ewes in each group, for a 90-day supplementation trial. The results demonstrated that L-Cit supplementation regulated the rumen microbiota of ewes, increased the abundance of Clostridia vadin BB60 in the rumen, and stimulated the synthesis and release of reproductive hormones. Blood samples for hormone analysis and rumen fluid for microbiota profiling were collected from a subset of six ewes per group (n = 6). Compared with the Con group, L-Cit supplementation numerically increased oestrus rate (93.33% vs. 77.55%, p = 0.32) but did not significantly affect reproductive hormone concentrations (p > 0.05 for all). Conception rate was 100% in both groups among bred ewes. No significant changes in rumen microbiota alpha diversity or community structure were observed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Health and Nutritional Strategies in Animals)
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21 pages, 3664 KB  
Article
The Effects of L-Citrulline on the Apparent Digestion and Metabolism of Nutrients, Blood Hormone Levels, Amino Acid Metabolism and the Diversity of Faecal Microbiota in Mares in the Later Stage of Pregnancy
by Pengshun Liu, Fan Yang, Jiahao Li, Chao Li, Xinsheng Guo and Xiaobin Li
Life 2026, 16(5), 744; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16050744 - 30 Apr 2026
Viewed by 426
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary L-citrulline supplementation on the health of mares during late gestation. Thirty-two healthy mares in late pregnancy were randomly assigned to four groups: a control group (CON, 0 g/d) and three treatment groups receiving 15, [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary L-citrulline supplementation on the health of mares during late gestation. Thirty-two healthy mares in late pregnancy were randomly assigned to four groups: a control group (CON, 0 g/d) and three treatment groups receiving 15, 30, and 45 g/d/head of L-citrulline, respectively. The trial spanned 72 days, including a 12-day adaptation phase and a 60-day formal feeding period. A fixed daily feeding amount of 11.2 kg/head was provided, ensuring complete consumption and consistent dry matter intake across all groups. Results demonstrated that supplementation with 30 g/d/head of L-citrulline significantly improved the apparent digestibility of crude protein and nitrogen metabolism rate (p < 0.05), while notably increasing plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p < 0.01) and reducing plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration by 10.53% (p < 0.01). Furthermore, mares receiving 30 g/d of L-citrulline showed a 14.81% increase in plasma estradiol (E2) concentration (p < 0.01). Urinary concentrations of E2, estrone sulfate (ESS), and 17α-dihydroequilin sulfate (17α-DHEQS) were also significantly elevated (p < 0.05). This supplementation also enhanced plasma amino acid levels related to the urea cycle and improved the diversity of fecal microbiota, increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria. A multi-indicator scoring system identified 30 g/d as the optimal supplemental dose of L-citrulline. These findings suggest that 30 g/d of L-citrulline may act as a nutritional regulator, offering valuable insights for enhancing the physiological and metabolic health of mares during late gestation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Health and Nutritional Strategies in Animals)
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21 pages, 5308 KB  
Article
Effects of Plant Polysaccharides on Meat Quality of Squabs Based on Ileal Metabolomics
by Jie Ren, Jiajia Liu, Huiguo Yang, Haiying Li, Xiaoyu Zhao, Yafei Liang, Mingcong Ding, Yuanhao Li, Haiying He and Xiaobin Li
Life 2026, 16(5), 705; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16050705 - 22 Apr 2026
Viewed by 341
Abstract
Plant polysaccharides, such as Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) and Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide (GPS), hold potential as feed additives, yet their individual and synergistic effects on squab meat quality remain unclear. In this study, 192 healthy, 15-day-old, early-weaned Silver King squabs were assigned to one of [...] Read more.
Plant polysaccharides, such as Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) and Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide (GPS), hold potential as feed additives, yet their individual and synergistic effects on squab meat quality remain unclear. In this study, 192 healthy, 15-day-old, early-weaned Silver King squabs were assigned to one of four dietary treatments for 28 days: a control group (CK), an APS group, a GPS group, and a combined APS + GPS group (AG). Slaughter traits, organ indices, liver antioxidant capacity, and meat quality were evaluated across the four groups. Results indicated that supplementation with APS, GPS, and AG enhanced several slaughter traits compared to CK, including live weight, carcass weight, full-eviscerated weight, half-eviscerated weight, and leg muscle weight. GPS and AG supplementation improved color parameters in both breast and leg muscles, with AG showing the most favorable tenderness-related outcomes. Additionally, AG supplementation enhanced liver antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by increased total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity. Given AG’s superior overall performance, the ileal metabolomics analysis focused on comparing CK and AG. Metabolomics data revealed clear group separation and significant changes in amino acid-related pathways. In summary, while APS and GPS individually improved certain traits, their combined supplementation yielded the most favorable results, likely through enhanced antioxidant capacity and altered ileal amino acid metabolism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Health and Nutritional Strategies in Animals)
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13 pages, 283 KB  
Article
Effects of Different Levels of Carrot Juice Supplementation in Drinking Water on Performance, Egg Quality, Blood Parameters, and Gut Health of Babcock White Laying Hens
by Umit Ozcinar, Muhammet Emre Orman, Cangir Uyarlar, Eyup Eren Gultepe, Oğuz Kağan Türedi, Aamir Iqbal, İbrahim Sadi Çetingül, Beytullah Kenar and Ismail Bayram
Life 2026, 16(3), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16030382 - 27 Feb 2026
Viewed by 848
Abstract
In this study, the effects of carrot juice on performance, egg quality, blood parameters, and intestinal flora in laying hens were examined. One hundred twenty-eight Babcock white laying hens were divided into four random groups, each with four replicates of eight hens. Fresh [...] Read more.
In this study, the effects of carrot juice on performance, egg quality, blood parameters, and intestinal flora in laying hens were examined. One hundred twenty-eight Babcock white laying hens were divided into four random groups, each with four replicates of eight hens. Fresh carrot juice was introduced to the drinking water of the hens at concentrations of 0% (control), 1%, 2.5%, and 5% for a duration of four weeks. Weekly feed intake, egg weight, feed conversion ratio, and daily egg production were monitored, while yolk color, albumen and yolk indices, shell thickness, and Haugh units were measured in weeks two and four. Blood samples were analyzed for biochemical and physiological parameters, and fecal samples were analyzed for microbial parameters at the end of the study. Carrot juice improved egg production, egg weight, and egg mass, without affecting daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, or water consumption, while enhancing yolk color but reducing eggshell thickness. Blood analyses showed higher levels of total oxidant status, vitamin E, immunoglobulin G, alkaline phosphatase, lymphocyte count, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Moreover, fecal Enterococcus counts were positively affected by the treatment. The findings indicate that carrot juice supplementation could positively affect performance, egg quality, some immune-related blood parameters, and gut microbiota in laying hens. Among the levels evaluated, adding 2.5% carrot juice to drinking water was found to provide the most balanced response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Health and Nutritional Strategies in Animals)
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