Li Xujie, Li Dengpan, Wang Chunhui, Li Qiao, Nie Yajing, Zhang Liming, Xu Jin, Ma Youji
College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China.
Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou, China.
Front Microbiol. 2025 Jun 13;16:1590400. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1590400. eCollection 2025.
Chive seed flavonoid (CSF) exhibits antioxidant, digestive, and immunomodulatory properties, yet their effects on ruminant intestinal development and microbial ecosystems remain underexplored. This study systematically evaluated CSF supplementation (0.25% of concentrate) on intestinal morphology, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) dynamics, and microbiota composition in 16 weaned Hu lambs (3 months; 19.57 ± 1.56 kg initial weight) using histomorphometry, VFA quantification, and full-length 16S rRNA sequencing. Animals were randomly allocated to a control (basal diet) or CSF-supplemented group (T), following a 7-day adaptation and 90-day experimental protocol. Key findings revealed: (1) The T group demonstrated increased jejunal and ileal villus length ( < 0.05), elevated villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (V/C; < 0.05), thickened muscular layers ( < 0.05), and reduced crypt depth ( < 0.05). (2) CSF supplementation significantly elevated acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total VFAs ( < 0.05) in ileum, cecum, colon, and rectum, with notable jejunal propionate and total VFAs increases ( < 0.05). (3) Upregulated expression of ileal and cecal genes (, , , ) linked to tissue morphogenesis and VFAs absorption was observed in the T group ( < 0.01). (4) Full-length 16S analysis demonstrated CSF-enhanced microbial diversity and selective enrichment of , , , and [Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis]. Regional microbial shifts included proliferation in the small intestine and rectum, dominance in duodenum/cecum/colon, and ileal enrichment of , , and . KEGG pathway analysis confirmed CSF-driven enhancements in carbohydrate/energy metabolism, immune regulation, and intestinal barrier pathways ( < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 0.25% CSF improved intestinal morphology, increased the production of VFAs, and optimized microbial composition, thereby promoting intestinal health in sheep. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of CSF in promoting healthy production in sheep.
细香葱籽黄酮（CSF）具有抗氧化、消化和免疫调节特性，但其对反刍动物肠道发育和微生物生态系统的影响仍未得到充分研究。本研究使用组织形态计量学、挥发性脂肪酸（VFA）定量分析和全长16S rRNA测序，系统评估了在16只断奶湖羊（3月龄；初始体重19.57±1.56 kg）中添加CSF（占精料的0.25%）对肠道形态、挥发性脂肪酸动态变化和微生物群组成的影响。动物在经过7天适应期后，按照90天的实验方案随机分为对照组（基础日粮）或CSF添加组（T组）。主要研究结果表明：（1）T组空肠和回肠绒毛长度增加（P<0.05），绒毛高度与隐窝深度比值（V/C）升高（P<0.05），肌层增厚（P<0.05），隐窝深度降低（P<0.05）。（2）添加CSF显著提高了回肠、盲肠、结肠和直肠中的乙酸、丙酸、丁酸和总挥发性脂肪酸含量（P<0.05），空肠中的丙酸和总挥发性脂肪酸含量也显著增加（P<0.05）。（3）在T组中观察到与组织形态发生和挥发性脂肪酸吸收相关的回肠和盲肠基因（MUC2、GLUT-2、FABP2、SGLT1）表达上调（P<0.01）。（4）全长16S分析表明，CSF增强了微生物多样性，并选择性富集了Ruminococcus、Oscillospira、Butyrivibrio和Prevotella [线性判别分析效应大小（LEfSe）分析]。区域微生物变化包括小肠和直肠中Ruminococcus的增殖，十二指肠/盲肠/结肠中Oscillospira的优势，以及回肠中Prevotella、Butyrivibrio和Ruminococcus的富集。KEGG通路分析证实，CSF促进了碳水化合物/能量代谢、免疫调节和肠道屏障通路（P<0.05）。总之，日粮中添加0.25%的CSF可改善肠道形态，增加挥发性脂肪酸的产生，并优化微生物组成，从而促进绵羊的肠道健康。本研究为CSF在促进绵羊健康生产中的应用提供了理论依据。
