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Effects of Mannitol on Rumen and Fecal Microbiome, Immune Function, and Antioxidant Capacity of Sunit Sheep

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with uncoated or coated mannitol on growth performance, rumen fermentation, rumen/fecal microbial communities, and serum immune and antioxidant indices in Sunit sheep. Twenty‐four healthy 7–8‐month‐old male Sunit sheep (28.84 ± 7.08 kg) were randomly assigned to three groups ( n = 8/group): control (CON; corn flour without mannitol), uncoated mannitol (UM; corn flour + 2 g/kg uncoated mannitol), and coated mannitol (CM; corn flour + 2.6 g/kg coated mannitol). After a 7‐day dietary adaptation period, all sheep were fed a uniform total mixed ration (TMR) for a 14‐day formal experimental period. The results indicated that neither uncoated nor coated mannitol supplementation significantly affected the average daily gain (ADG) ( p > 0.05). However, both treatments improved the gastrointestinal microbial structure and altered rumen fermentation, as evidenced by increased ruminal pH and decreased short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations ( p < 0.05). For serum biochemistry, the UM group had higher total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and creatinine (CREA) levels, and lower urea (UREA) levels ( p < 0.05); the CM group had higher TP and ALB, and lower UREA levels ( p < 0.05). Additionally, the CM group exhibited increased IL‐4, IgA, C3, SOD, and GSH‐Px levels, and decreased TNF‐β, IFN‐γ, and MDA levels ( p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between serum TP and fecal norank_o__Gastranaerophilales abundance ( p < 0.01), and a negative correlation between IL‐4 and ruminal Christensenellaceae_R‐7_group abundance ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, both the mannitol forms reshaped ruminal and intestinal microbial structures and improved serum indices, with coated mannitol associated with more consistent improvements in immune and antioxidant indices.

Source: Food Science & Nutrition

DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.72527