Boost Rumen Health with Steviol Glycosides: One Secret to Healthy Hu Sheep
Introduction
In the realm of animal husbandry, feed additives are necessary as they can not only improve the nutritional value of feed and optimize the internal environment of the rumen, but also enhance or restrict the structure of specific microbial flora, regulate the microecological balance of the animal intestine, and enhance immunity. Strikingly, steviol glycosides (also known as stevia), a type of natural diterpenoid glycosides extracted from stevia, have great potential as a green feed additive, which can enhance the rumen health of livestock.
Steviol glycosides as green feed additives in the livestock
Steviol glycosides are helpful in improving livestock performance, improving feed utilization, and regulating gastrointestinal microbiota. Currently, steviol glycosides have been intensively used as feed additive in pigs, fish, birds, but less in ruminants. For instance, incorporating stevia residue into the diet of pregnant sows effectively modulates the composition of intestinal flora, leading to a significant increase in the relative abundance of intestinal beneficial bacteria. The inclusion of steviol glycosides in the diet of mirror carp can enhance their growth performance, liver antioxidant capacity, and immune function. The addition of steviol glycosides could improve feed intake and the apparent digestibility of neutral and aciddetergent fibers of goats. It has also been found that dietary steviol glycosides can improve the daily egg production and feed conversion rate of aged laying hens.
The effects of steviol glycosides on Hu sheep
Herein, twenty healthy weaned Hu lambs (average body weights: 18.31 ± 1.24 kg) are evenly allocated into CON and STE groups. The lambs in CON group are fed with the basal diet formulated in accordance with the Chinese meat sheep feeding standard (NY/T 816-2004), and those in STE group are supplemented with 0.07% steviol glycosides based on the basal diet.
Interestingly, no notable impacts are observed on the growth rate or serum biochemical indices of Hu sheep between two groups. Yet, steviol glycosides can improve rumen fermentation parameters and the structure of the rumen microbial community, exerting certain effects on the diversity and composition of rumen microorganisms, which are contributive to maintaining the balance of rumen microecology.
Interestingly, no notable impacts are observed on the growth rate or serum biochemical indices of Hu sheep between two groups. Yet, steviol glycosides can improve rumen fermentation parameters and the structure of the rumen microbial community, exerting certain effects on the diversity and composition of rumen microorganisms, which are contributive to maintaining the balance of rumen microecology.
The importance of maintaining rumen health in ruminants
Rumen is an important part of the digestive system of ruminants (e.g. sheep), and its fermentation process directly affects the digestibility of feed and the health of animals. The microorganisms in the rumen not only participate in feed decomposition and transformation but also have a profound impact on the nutrient absorption and health status of ruminants.
Conclusion
The addition of steviol glycosides in animal feed generally does not negatively affect the health of animals, but shows great benefits to them. Particularly in ruminants, steviol glycosides can markedly boost their rumen health. These findings pave the way for a new era of greener and more efficient livestock management.
Reference
Zhang J, Li X, Sha Y, et al. Effects of Steviol Glycosides on Growth Performance, Ruminal Fermentation and Microbial Diversity of Hu Sheep. Animals (Basel). 2024;14(13):1991. Published 2024 Jul 5. doi:10.3390/ani14131991
BONTAC Steviol Glycosides
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