Agriophyllum squarrosum (sand rice), a widespread desert plant, possesses anti-hyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years. However, its effects on ruminants are unknown. To fill this gap, we examined the effects of A. squarrosum on the immune and anti-inflammatory responses of lambs. A total of 23, 6-month-old Tan ewe-lambs (27.6 ± 0.47 kg) were divided into four groups and offered a basic diet (C—control), or a diet that contained 10%, 20%, or 30% A. squarrosum, on a dry matter basis, for 128 days. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol were lower (p = 0.004) in the 30% supplemented lambs than controls, while concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were lower (p = 0.006) in the 10% and 20%, but not in 30% supplemented lambs than controls. Serum-cortisol concentrations were lower (p = 0.012) in the 30% supplemented lambs and free fatty acid concentrations were higher in the 10% and 20% supplemented lambs than in control lambs (p < 0.001). Supplementation with A. squarrosum decreased (p < 0.05) the area of adipocytes in subcutaneous adipose tissue, but there was no difference between the 20% and 30% diets. Conversely, the area in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) increased (p < 0.05), especially for the 10% and 20% supplemented diets. Supplementation with A. squarrosum also enriched immune and anti-inflammatory related and lipid and glucose-metabolic pathways and associated differentially expressed gene expressions in adipose tissue. A total of 10 differential triacylglycerol, 34 differential phosphatidylcholines and seven differential phosphatidylethanolamines decreased in the diet with 30% supplementation, when compared to the other diets. Finally, adipocyte-differentiation genes, and immune and inflammatory response-related gene expression levels decreased in lamb adipocytes cultured with an aqueous A. squarrosum extract. In conclusion, supplementing lamb diets with A. squarrosum reduced blood lipids, enhanced immunity and anti-inflammatory capacities, and mediated lipid metabolism in adipose tissue and adipocytes of Tan lambs. A level of approximately 10% is recommended, but further research is required to determine the precise optimal level.

The fruit of Nitraria tangutorum (FNT) is reputed to possess medicinal properties; however, its effect on sheep (Ovis aries) is unknown. The aim of this study was to fill this gap. In a 3 × 3 Latin square design, six 12-month-old rumen-fistulated Hu rams (56.2 ± 8.26 kg; mean ± SD) were penned individually and offered one of three levels of FNT, namely, 0 g/d (control; CON), 16 g/d (N₁₆), and 48 g/d (N₄₈). The concentration of serum immunoglobulin G increased linearly (p = 0.03) with an increasing intake of FNT. The serum concentration of β-hydroxybutyrate in the N₄₈ group was lower than in the CON group (p = 0.01) and decreased linearly with increasing FNT (p = 0.001). The concentration of serum lactate dehydrogenase tended to decrease (p = 0.07) linearly with an increase in FNT intake, while the concentration of glucose did not differ among groups (p = 0.14) but displayed a quadratic curve with an increase in FNT (p = 0.05). The rumen concentration of lipase decreased linearly with increasing FNT (p = 0.04). The rumen fermentation variables were not affected by FNT. The FNT intake increased the abundance of beneficial ruminal bacteria, such as Lachnoclostridium, Rhodocyclaceae, and Candidatus Arthromitus. Prevotella, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Ruminococcus, Olsenella, Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group, and Quinella were the dominant bacterial genera in all treatments. We conclude that FNT can improve immunity and increase the relative abundance of beneficial ruminal bacteria in sheep.

Cold stress impacts lamb mortality, welfare, and productivity. Wool and skin insulate lambs, but the mechanisms underlying their response to colder environments remain unclear. Shorn lambs (n = 20) of similar age (8 months), of the Hulunbuir (n = 10; average 34.5 ± 0.70 kg) and Hu (n = 10; average 34.9 ± 0.79 kg) breeds, were raised at the Ecological and Agricultural Experimental Station, Gaolan, Gansu Province, People’s Republic of China (36°13″ N, 103°47″ E), at an altitude of 1780 m above sea level. These lambs were divided into four equal groups: Hulunbuir at −20 °C (HB−20), Hulunbuir at 15 °C (HB+15), Hu at −20 °C (HU−20), and Hu at 15 °C (HU+15). The groups were maintained at these temperatures in temperature-controlled facilities for 38 days. Skin tissues were analyzed with transcriptome sequencing, and selected wool and physiological traits were assessed. The HB−20 lambs had greater wool length growth (1.8 ± 0.13 vs. 1.0 ± 0.46 cm, p < 0.001) and epidermis thickness (20.0 ± 1.20 vs. 14.6 ± 0.87 μm, p = 0.006) but lower hair follicle density (33.6 ± 2.11 vs. 42.7 ± 3.06 per mm², p = 0.041), rectal temperature (38.1 ± 0.10 vs. 38.8 ± 0.04 °C, p < 0.001), and respiratory rate (15.5 ± 1.08 vs. 24.0 ± 1.89 breaths/min, p = 0.004), compared to the HB+15 lambs. Similar differences in these traits were observed with the Hu lambs at the two temperatures. Transcriptome analyses revealed the activation of pathways related to immune and endocrine systems, signal transduction, and development and regeneration, irrespective of breed at −20 °C. The TNF signaling pathway and osteoclast differentiation may play roles in cold adaptation, as they are associated with differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified in the Hulunbuir lambs, as well as shared DEGs between both breeds. This study revealed physiological and molecular differences in lambs exposed to lower temperatures and suggests potential targets for improving cold tolerance, welfare, and productivity.