Work

The Effects of Tea Polyphenols in Feed on the Immunity, Antioxidant Capacity, and Gut Microbiota of Weaned Goat Kids

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In this present study, we aim to investigate the effects of adding tea polyphenols to feed on the immunity, antioxidant capacity, and gut microbiota of weaned lambs. Thirty weaned lambs (2 month old, average initial weight 9.32 ± 1.72 kg) were randomly divided into five groups with six lambs in each group. The goat kids were randomly divided into four groups: a control group (CON) fed the basal diet, and four other groups supplemented with 2, 4, 6 g/kg tea polyphenols and 50 mg/kg chlortetracycline in the basal diet (denoted as T1, T2, T3 and CTC groups, respectively). The results indicate that adding 4-6 g/kg tea polyphenols can raise the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes and their genes in lambs' intestines. It also increases the expression of Nrf2, iNOS, and IL-10, while reducing the levels and gene expression of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) (P<0.05). At the same time, it reduced the expression levels of signaling pathways TLR4, MyD88, and NFκB (P<0.05) activated intestinal protective mechanisms, and enhanced the immune defense of intestinal epithelium. Compared with other groups, feeding tea polyphenols significantly increased the acetic acid content in the cecum of lambs (P<0.05), effectively promoting intestinal health. Tea polyphenols significantly increase the Shannon and Simpson indices, boost the abundance of Verrucomicrobiota, and reduce that of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes (P<0.05). The relative abundance of Candidatus_Soleaferrea, Christensenellaceae R-7 group, and Prevotella in the tea polyphenol group is significantly higher than in the chlortetracycline group (P<0.05). Overall, these results indicate that tea polyphenols can effectively maintain the homeostasis of the gut microbiota and have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects similar to antibiotics.

Source: Animals

DOI: 10.3390/ani15040467

Authors: Yimei Xiao, Longcheng Chen, Yuewen Xu, Xiaolin He, Shangquan Gan, Fuquan Yin

Institution: Guangdong Ocean University

Language: English

Topic: Animal Nutrition and Physiology

Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896