Search Results (2)

The calf’s gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiome undergoes rapid shifts during early post-natal life, which can directly affect calf performance. The objectives of this study were to characterise and compare differences in the establishment and succession of GIT microbiota, GIT morphological changes, and the growth of dairy calves from birth until weaned. Forty-four newborn Holstein-Friesian calves were randomly selected and assigned to Treatment (TRT) and Control (CON) groups. The TRT group calves received a once-daily dose of a direct-fed microbial (DFM) liquid product containing Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Lentilactobacillus buchneri, and Lacticaseibacillus casei, all formerly known as Lactobacillus. Fresh faecal samples were manually taken from the rectum of all calves, and gross necropsy was performed on the forestomachs and gastrointestinal tracts. Bacterial DNA was extracted from frozen faecal samples for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Calves in the TRT group had greater live weights (p = 0.02) at weaning compared with calves in the CON group (mean = 69.18 kg, SD = 13.37 kg). The average daily live weight gain (ADG) and total feed intake were similar between the two groups. Calves in the TRT group had greater duodenum, abomasum, and reticulum weights (p = 0.05). Rumen and intestinal development (p < 0.05) and faecal microbial diversity (p < 0.05) were more pronounced in the TRT group. The relative abundances of eight genera differed (p < 0.001) between the groups. Supplementing calves with the LAB-based DFM increased live weight at weaning and had a more pronounced effect on the development of rumen and the gastrointestinal tract and on microbiota diversity and evenness. Future work is needed to better understand the potential association of LAB-DFM products on gut mucosa-associated microbiota. Full article

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyrate, have received considerable attention with regard to their anti-cancer efficacy in delaying or preventing colorectal cancer. Several studies have reported that certain probiotic strains could produce SCFAs; however, different strains yielded different amounts of SCFAs. This study explored the ability to produce SCFAs of the following probiotic strains: Lacticaseibacillus paracasei SD1, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus SD4, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus SD11, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG. L. paracasei SD1 and L. rhamnosus SD11 exhibited high butyrate production, particularly when the strains were combined. The functions of the SCFAs were further characterized; the SCFAs exerted a positive anti-cancer effect in the colon via various actions, including inhibiting the growth of the pathogens related to colon cancer, such as Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis; suppressing the growth of cancer cells; and stimulating the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and antimicrobial peptides, especially human β-defensin-2. In addition, the SCFAs suppressed pathogen-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokines, especially IL-8. The results of this study indicated that selected probiotic strains, particularly L. paracasei SD1 in combination with L. rhamnosus SD11, may serve as good natural sources of bio-butyrate, which may be used as biotherapy for preventing or delaying the progression of colon cancer. Full article