Work

Effects of Dietary Glycerol Fatty Acid Esters on Growth and Nutrient Digestion in Hu sheep: Insights from Jejunum Transcriptome and Microbiome Analysis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of dietary glycerol fatty acid esters (GFAs) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, jejunal microbiota, and intestinal transcriptome in Hu sheep. Thirty-six 4–5-month-old male Hu sheep were randomly assigned to three groups receiving a basal diet (GFA0%) or diets supplemented with 0.15% (GFA0.15%) or 0.20% (GFA0.20%) GFA for 52 days following a 7-day adaptation period. Growth performance parameters were unaffected (p > 0.05); however, feed-to-gain ratio decreased linearly and quadratically with increasing GFA levels (p < 0.001). GFA supplementation improved ether extract (EE) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility (p < 0.05), neutral detergent fiber ADF digestibility showed a linear increase(linear = 0.025), significantly reduced fecal and urinary nitrogen excretion, and enhanced nitrogen utilization (p < 0.05). Jejunal microbiota analysis revealed significant genus-level separation among groups, with increased Bacillota abundance and the enrichment of Acetitomaculum and [Ruminococcus]_gauvreauii_group in the GFA0.20% group. Functional prediction indicated enhanced fiber degradation, nitrogen metabolism, and host interaction functions. Transcriptomic analysis showed dose-dependent gene regulation, with GFA0.15% primarily enriching immune-related pathways, while GFA0.20% additionally activated lipid and steroid metabolism pathways. Integrated microbiome-host analyses demonstrated coordinated regulation of nutrient metabolism and immune responses. Overall, dietary inclusion of 0.20% GFAs optimized feed efficiency, nutrient utilization, and intestinal metabolic-immune function in Hu sheep.

Source: Agriculture

DOI: 10.3390/agriculture16040426