Effects of rumen-protected lysine on antler growth performance, fecal bacterial community, and blood gene expression in sika deer

作者：Bo Yang, Yuhang Zhu, Yongxiang Li, Yating Gao, Huazhe Si, Zhipeng Li · 发表于：Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3389/fvets.2025.1583605 · 被引用次数：1 · 研究领域：Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology、Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies、Effects of Environmental Stressors on Livestock

Introduction Velvet antler is an important product of sika deer ( Cervus nippon ), and its growth is closely related to dietary amino acid supplementation. Lysine is one of the major limiting amino acids in animals; however, the mechanism underlying its effect on velvet antler growth in sika deer remains unclear. Methods This study investigated the impact of rumen-protected lysine supplementation on velvet antler growth, nutrient digestibility, gut bacteria, serum biochemical parameters, and gene expression in sika deer. Fifteen healthy 2-year-old male sika deer were randomly assigned to three dietary groups: control (0 g/day rumen-protected lysine, CON), low (5 g/day rumen-protected-lysine, LLys), and high (10g/day rumen-protected lysine, HLys). Results Supplementation with rumen-protected lysine significantly increased antler weight and dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber digestibility ( P < 0.05). The concentrations of acetate and propionate in the feces of the LLys were significantly higher than those in the CON ( P < 0.05). The relative abundance of Fibrobacter in the feces was significantly higher in the HLys group compared to the CON group ( P < 0.05). The relative abundance of Papillibacter, Coprococcus, Anaerorhabdus furcosa , and Parabacteroides were significantly lower in the HLys than in the CON ( P < 0.05). The gene expression was influenced in both HLys and LLys groups compared to the CON group...