The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and cellulase (CE) on the fermentation quality, rumen degradation rate and bacterial community of mixed silage of soybean residue (SR) and corn stover (CS). The experiment adopted a single-factor experimental design. Four treatment groups were set up: the control group (CON), lactic acid bacteria treatment group (LAB), cellulase treatment group (CE) and lactic acid bacteria + cellulase treatment group (LAB + CE). Among them, the amount of added LAB was 1 × 10⁶ CFU/g, and the amount of added CE was 100 U/g. After 56 days of mixed silage, samples were taken and analyzed, and the chemical composition, fermentation quality, rumen degradation rate and microbial diversity were determined. The results showed that the pH of each treatment group was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of CON, while the lactic acid and ammoniacal nitrogen contents of each treatment group were significantly higher than that of CON, with the highest contents in the LAB + CE group. The contents of DNFom (Ash-free NDF), ADFom (Ash-free ADF) and DM in the LAB + CE group were significantly lower than those in the CON group, while the content of crude protein (CP) was significantly higher than that in the CON group. The in situ effective degradation rates of DM (ISDMD), DNF (ISNDFD) and CP (ISCPD) were all significantly (p < 0.05) higher in each treatment group than in the control group. The results of principal component analysis showed that the bacterial composition of the LAB, CE and LAB + CE groups was significantly different from that of the CON group (p < 0.05). Bacterial genus level analysis showed that the content of lactic acid bacteria was significantly higher in the LAB + CE group than in the other treatment groups (p < 0.05), while the content of undesirable bacteria was significantly lower than in the other treatment groups. The results showed that the addition of Lactobacillus and/or cellulase in mixed silage of SR and CS could effectively improve the quality of mixed silage fermentation, rumen degradation rate and microbial diversity, with better results when Lactobacillus and cellulase were added together, which provides new ideas for better application of SR and CS in dairy production.

Little information is available regarding the effect of supplementing 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ during the transition period combined with a postpartum oral calcium bolus on Ca homeostasis. The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ combined with postpartum oral calcium bolus on lactation performance, serum minerals and vitamin D₃ metabolites, blood biochemistry, and antioxidant and immune function in multiparous dairy cows. To evaluate the effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ combined with oral calcium, 48 multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (1) supplementing 240 mg/day vitamin D₃ without a postpartum oral Ca bolus (control), (2) supplementing 240 mg/day vitamin D₃ with an oral Ca bolus containing 90 g of Ca immediately post-calving (Ca + VitD), (3) supplementing 6 g/day 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ without an oral Ca bolus (25D), and (4) supplementing 6 g/day 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ with an oral Ca bolus containing 90 g of Ca immediately post-calving (Ca + 25D). Lactation performance during the first 21 days was measured. Blood was collected at the initiation of calving and then 1, 2, 7, 14, and 21 days relative to the calving date. The yield of milk (0.05 < p < 0.10), energy-corrected milk (p < 0.05), 3.5% fat-corrected milk (p < 0.05), and milk protein (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃-treated groups within 3 weeks of lactation than in vitamin D₃-treated cows. The iCa (p < 0.05) and tCa (p < 0.05) were higher in both Ca and 25D + Ca cows than in the control and 25D groups within 48 h. The concentrations of serum tCa (p < 0.05), tP (p < 0.05), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (p < 0.05) in 25D and 25D + Ca cows were higher than those in control and Ca cows within 21 days postpartum. Feeding 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ also showed a lower concentration of malondialdehyde (p < 0.05), interleukin 6 (p < 0.05), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (p < 0.05), as well as a higher concentration of alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.05), total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05), and immunoglobulin G (p < 0.05) than vitamin D₃. Supplementing Ca bolus also showed lower concentrations of alanine transaminase (p < 0.05) and TNF-α (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementing 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ during the transition period combined with a postpartum oral calcium bolus improved lactation performance, Ca homeostasis, and antioxidant and immune function of medium-production dairy cows within 21 days postpartum.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of curcumin (Cur) on reproductive toxicity induced by fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) in laying ducks during the peak egg-laying period. A total of seventy-two 50-week-old Cherry Valley ducks were randomly assigned to four groups: control, FB₁ (30 mg/kg), Cur (200 mg/kg), and Cur + FB₁ (200 mg/kg + 30 mg/kg). The experiment lasted for 35 days. Our results showed that cur supplementation effectively restored the reductions in final body weight (p = 0.005) and oviduct length (p = 0.020) induced by FB₁ exposure. Residual FB₁ concentrations in serum, liver, and ovaries were markedly increased in the FB₁-treated group, while Cur significantly decreased the FB₁ residual in duck liver (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, Cur supplementation markedly counteracted the FB₁-induced reductions in serum total protein, albumin, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein induced by FB₁ exposure. Cur supplementation effectively regulated FB₁-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption. Specifically, Cur lowered FB₁-induced malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.010), attenuated interleukin-1β increase (p = 0.083), and reversed the reduction in immunoglobulin G levels. FB increased the levels of hormones associated with duck reproduction, including estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone; in contrast, curcumin supplementation decreased the levels of these hormones (p < 0.010). Histopathological analysis revealed that Cur significantly alleviated the inflammation and necrosis in the liver, kidneys, ovaries, and oviducts induced by FB₁. In conclusion, dietary Cur supplementation effectively alleviated FB₁-induced reproductive toxicity in laying ducks by enhancing antioxidant capacity, improving lipid metabolism, and restoring hormonal homeostasis.