Changes in Digestive Microbiota, Rumen Fermentations and Oxidative Stress around Parturition Are Alleviated by Live Yeast Feed Supplementation to Gestating Ewes

Abstract

Background: In ruminants, physiological and nutritional changes occur peripartum. We investigated if gastro-intestinal microbiota, rumen metabolism and antioxidant status were affected around parturition and what could be the impact of a daily supplementation of a live yeast additive in late gestating ewes. Methods: Rumen, feces and blood samples were collected from 2 groups of 14 ewes one month and a few days before parturition, and 2 weeks postpartum. Results: In the control ewes close to parturition, slight changes in the ruminal microbiota were observed, with a decrease in the concentration F. succinogenes and in the relative abundance of the Fibrobacteres phylum. Moreover, a decrease in the alpha-diversity of the bacterial community and a reduced relative abundance of the Fibrobacteres phylum were observed in their feces. Control ewes were prone to oxidative stress, as shown by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, a lower total antioxidant status, and higher glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the blood. In the yeast supplemented ewes, most of the microbial changes observed in the control group were alleviated. An increase in GPx activity, and a significant decrease in MDA concentration were measured. Conclusions: The live yeast used in this study could stabilize gastro-intestinal microbiota and reduce oxidative stress close to parturition.

A live yeast supplementation to gestating ewes improves bioactive molecule composition in colostrum with no impact on its bacterial composition and beneficially affects immune status of the offspring

“…According to this hypothesis, the ruminal microbial modifications expected with SC supplementation might impact lower gut microbiota, as suggested by studies of Bach et al ( 26 , 27 ) and thus might modulate this possible microbial transfer into the mammary gland. Live yeast supplementation leads to positive impacts on rumen microbiota and health but can also exert beneficial effects beyond the rumen on oxidative status and performance ( 26 , 31 , 96 , 97 ) , strengthening the systemic effect hypothesis. Further investigations are required to understand how SC supplementation could induce modifications in colostrum bioactive molecules and bacterial populations.…”

“…Colostrum quality is impacted by the health condition of the gestating animal ( 28 – 30 ) . Probiotic supplementation peripartum could thus be a nutritional strategy to reinforce rumen functions through the stabilisation of microbial populations, leading to an enhancement of the dam's health before parturition ( 26 , 27 , 31 ) .…”

Supplementation of Aspergillus oryzae Culture Improved the Feed Dry Matter Digestibility and the Energy Supply of Total Volatile Fatty Acid Concentrations in the Rumen of Hu Sheep

“…Combined with the results of rumen fermentation and pH, AOC did not affect the rumen bacterial diversity, which indicated that the rumen microbial flora maintains a better steady- state after AOC supplementation. Other study reported that the rumen bacterial community was changed after feeding with DFMs ( 31 ). The inconsistent results among studies were likely due to differences in diet treatments, dietary starch contents, and experimental animals.…”

Effects of rearing mode on gastro-intestinal microbiota and development, immunocompetence, sanitary status and growth performance of lambs from birth to two months of age

“…Strong delay in establishment of F. succinogenes was previously detected in calves or lambs separated from their dam (5,10,46). A decrease in the Fibrobacteres phylum was also observed at parturition on ewes (47), indicating that Fibrobacter may be quite sensitive to changes in the ecological conditions of the rumen. F. succinogenes is known as an important brolytic microorganism, particularly e cient in degrading recalcitrant cellulosic substrates such as straw (48,49) and also very sensitive to oxygen.…”