Effects of increasing levels of rubber seed cake on growth performance, nutrient digestion metabolism, serum biochemical parameters, and rumen microbiota of Hu sheep

作者：Huwei Zhao, Jinling Hua, Wenwen Lu, Longfei Yan, Min Zhang, Chao Chen, Xiaokang Lv · 发表于：BMC Veterinary Research · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1186/s12917-025-04503-7 · 被引用次数：6 · 研究领域：Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology、Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems、Agronomic Practices and Intercropping Systems

Abstract This study aimed to reveal the effects of increasing levels of rubber seed cake (RSC) on growth performance, nutrient digestion metabolism, serum biochemical parameters, and rumen microbiota in Hu sheep. In this study, 48 Hu sheep, weighing 17.01 ± 0.57 kg at 3 months of age, were randomly divided into four treatments: 0% rubber seed cake (RSC0%), 6% rubber seed cake (RSC6%), 12% rubber seed cake (RSC12%) and 18% rubber seed cake (RSC18%), with 12 sheep per group. Compared to the RSC0%, the ADG and DMI of the RSC6% and RSC12% were increased ( P > 0.05). The apparent digestibility of OM and EE quadratically ( P < 0.05) changed with the increase of RSC supplementation, with the greatest apparent digestibility of OM and EE observed in the RSC6% diet. With increased RSC supplementation, the N intake and fecal N increased linearly ( P < 0.05), and the apparent digestibility of N reduced linearly ( P < 0.05). As the increase of RSC supplementation, the serum levels of IgA, IgM, IgG, IL-4, T-AOC, and GSH-Px increased linearly ( P < 0.05), and the serum level of IL-6 reduced linearly ( P < 0.05). The serum level of IL-1β reduced quadratically ( P < 0.05) with the increased RSC dose, and the serum level of SOD increased quadratically ( P < 0.05) with the increased RSC dose. The ruminal NH 3 -N and the relative abundance of norank_Muribaculaceae quadratically ( P < 0.05) changed with increased RSC supplementation, and the greatest relative abundance ...