This study aimed to assess how the bacterial–enzyme co-fermentation of corn straw affects fermentation quality, the digestion rate in Hu sheep, and rumen microorganisms. Orthogonal experiments were utilized to establish the optimal fermentation conditions, which were subsequently applied in bacterial–enzyme fermentation trials involving four groups: group A (control), group B (enzyme added), group C (bacteria added), and group D (bacteria + enzyme). The results show that the optimal fermentation conditions were the addition of 2% corn flour, 2% cottonseed meal, and 60% moisture. In comparison with group A, group D demonstrated the most favorable outcomes, notably reducing the pH and cellulose content while enhancing the lactic acid content. The relative abundances of Pantoea and Weissella reduced, whereas those of Lactiplantibacillus and Limosilactobacillus increased, in the fermented corn straw. In the animal experiments, group D exhibited significantly higher digestibility of NDF and ADF; total VFA, acetic acid, and NH₃-N contents; and enzyme activity compared with groups A and B. Additionally, the relative abundances of Prevotella, NK4A214-group, Entodinium, and Polyplastron increased, while those of Dasytricha and Enoploplastron decreased, in group D compared with group A. It can be concluded that Lactobacillus plantarum and cellulase treatments enhance the nutritional value of corn straw by improving ruminal fermentation and regulating the sheep rumen microbiota.

The potential of fungal probiotics as ruminant feed additives has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of A. oryzae and T. longibrachiatum supplementation on Angus cattle during the early stages of fattening. In this study, 80 Angus cattle aged approximately 9~10 months (40 males and 40 females), with an average initial body weight (BW) of 276.46 ± 27.92 kg, were randomly assigned to four groups. Each group included 4 replicates (2 replicates of males and 2 replicates of females). Each replicate contained 5 male or 5 female Angus cattle. Cattle in the control group received a total mixed ration (TMR) without additives, while those in test groups 1, 2, and 3 received a TMR supplemented with complex probiotics (CPs) at 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 g·kg⁻¹ of feed dry matter (DM), respectively. The adaptation and experimental periods were 7 and 60 days, respectively. Compared with those in the control group, the apparent digestibility of ether extract, calcium, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) was higher in test group 3. Test group 2 exhibited increased apparent digestibility of hemicellulose. Meanwhile, test group 3 exhibited increased levels of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total volatile fatty acids and decreased pH. CPs increased the abundance of the SR1 phylum, Solibacillus, Lysinibacillus, and Planococcaceae_Bacillus and decreased the proportions of Lactococcus, Ruminococcus, and Ophryoscolex. Solibacillus was associated with the apparent digestibility of CP, Ca, and ADF. Planococcaceae_Bacillus was associated with increased apparent digestibility of CP, ADF, and hemicellulose. This suggests that CPs improve crude protein and cellulose digestion by increasing the proportions of Solibacillus and Planococcaceae_Bacillus. Therefore, the optimal CP dietary supplementation dose for Angus cattle was 3 g·kg⁻¹ of DM.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of modified corn straw dietary fiber (MCDF) on growth performance, nutrient metabolism, serum biochemistry, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and hepatic lipid deposition in broilers. A total of 200 one-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allotted to four groups: the control group was fed basal diet, while three treatment groups supplemented with MCDF at 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% of the basal diet, respectively. The results revealed that MCDF reduced ADG (p = 0.008) and increased feed/gain (p = 0.028) in the early stage, with no significant effects on ADG and feed/gain in the later or overall rearing periods (p > 0.05). In the early stage, 1% and 1.5% MCDF reduced ether extract metabolizability (p = 0.001), and 0.5–1.5% MCDF reduced phosphorus metabolizability (p < 0.001). Compared to the control group, 0.5–1.5% MCDF had no significant effects on nutrient metabolism in later stage and slaughter performance, but it reduced the 24 h pH of breast muscle and serum levels of LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, TC, and GLU (p < 0.05). The 1% MCDF decreased L* at 15 min and 24 h of leg muscle (p < 0.05). The 0.5% and 1% MCDF increased serum T-AOC levels and 1% MCDF increased CAT (p < 0.05), whereas 1.5% MCDF decreased SOD (p < 0.05). MCDF increased the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio by reducing crypt depth (p < 0.05) and improved the histomorphology of hepatocytes, accompanied by a reduction in the number of lipid droplets in the liver. Therefore, 0.5–1.5% MCDF can be recommended in broiler diets in the later stage, as it had no negative effects on growth performance, nutrient metabolism, and effectively reduced blood lipids and glucose levels, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and ameliorated hepatic vacuolar degeneration and lipid deposition.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of customized berberine-Lactobacillus casei complex as a dietary supplement on broiler growth performance, health-related parameters, liver and intestinal morphology, gene expression, and intestinal microbiota as compared with feeding diets supplemented with chlortetracycline or without any additives. A total of 180 1-day-old male broilers were assigned to 3 dietary treatments, each with 6 replicates of 10 birds. The control (CON) group was fed a basal diet; the antibiotic (CHH) group was fed basal diet with 150 mg/kg chlortetracycline; the compound additive (BAL) group was fed basal diet with 20 mg/kg berberine and 1 × 10⁶ CFU/mL L. casei. Health status, daily feed intake, and body weight per replicate were monitored during 42-day feeding trial. On day 43, one bird per replicate was randomly selected for blood collection and tissue sampling. Results showed that dietary supplementation of compound additive improved broilers growth performance, significantly reducing feed-to-grain ratio, diarrhea rate, and mortality (p < 0.05). This may be attributed to the compound additive enhancing broiler antioxidant capacity and immunity, while optimizing liver and intestinal morphology and microbial community structure. Compared to the CON group, the levels of d-lactic acid in serum and malondialdehyde in serum and liver were significantly decreased in the BAL group, while the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase in serum, along with catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the liver, were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Additionally, the compound additive significantly improved serum IgM level, jejunal villus height, and villus-to-crypt ratio (p < 0.05). Furthermore, our results indicated that the compound additive was more effective than antibiotic in improving liver and intestinal morphology. Moreover, mRNA expression of Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1, IL-10, and Bcl2 in liver tissue, as well as Nrf2, Keap1, HO-1, ZO-1, and Mucin2 in jejunal tissue were upregulated. Microbial analysis showed a significant increase in Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium abundance. These findings highlight the potential of customized berberine-L. casei complex as a dietary antibiotic alternative to enhance broiler health.