Effects of a Yeast–Lactobacilli Probiotic on Rumen Volatile Fatty Acids and Serum Glucose Concentration in Lambs
Keywords:
rumen fermentation, weaning transition, protozoal population, blood metabolites, microbial supplementation, small ruminantsAbstract
This study evaluated the effects of a probiotic supplement containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus acidophilus on rumen fermentation characteristics and glucose metabolism in lambs during the transition from milk to solid feed. Lambs were assigned to a control group and two probiotic treatment groups. Rumen volatile fatty acids (VFAs), blood glucose concentration, and rumen protozoal populations were measured during the weaning period.
At 60 days of age, lambs receiving the probiotic treatment in Experimental Group I exhibited significantly higher concentrations of acetic acid (28.72 ± 5.2 mmol L⁻¹), propionic acid (8.77 ± 0.5 mmol L⁻¹), and butyric acid (4.03 ± 0.56 mmol L⁻¹) compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Although total VFA concentration was highest in Experimental Group I (44.4 ± 5.78 mmol L⁻¹), differences among groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Blood glucose concentrations increased rapidly during the first 6 h after birth, rising from 0.79 ± 0.8 to 4.53 ± 0.2 mmol L⁻¹ (P < 0.001). At 45 days of age, probiotic-treated lambs had significantly higher blood glucose concentrations than control lambs (P < 0.001); however, these differences were no longer evident at 60 days of age (P > 0.05).
The number of rumen ciliates did not differ significantly among treatments (P > 0.05), although all groups were dominated by the genera Entodinium, Diplodinium, and Isotricha. The results indicate that probiotic supplementation can enhance rumen fermentation and improve glucose metabolism during the weaning transition, particularly through increased production of volatile fatty acids.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Purevtsogt Dorjgoo, Tumenjargal Bazarragchaa, Tsogtbaatar Lkhagvajav, Banzragch Sukhbat, Olzii-Uchral Davaasuren, Zolzaya Majigsuren, Dacheng Liu, Jin Shan, Demberel Shirchin
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