Jing Hongxin, Liu Pengshun, Zheng Shengchen, Cao Ketao, Li Xiaobin
Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Nutrition for Meat & Milk Production, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, 830052, Xinjiang Urumqi, China.
BMC Vet Res. 2025 Jul 23;21(1):483. doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04937-z.
Total Mixed Ration (TMR) is recognized for its balanced nutritional composition, improved feed efficiency, enhanced animal production, and stabilization of the gastrointestinal microbiome. It has been extensively implemented in intensive ruminant farming, particularly for cattle and sheep, with demonstrated positive outcomes. However, its effects on the nutritional health of non-ruminant herbivores, such as horses, remain insufficiently investigated. This study aims to evaluate the comparative effects of TMR feeding versus conventional feeding practices in Akhal-Teke horses while maintaining identical dietary compositions and nutritional levels. By analyzing body weight, growth in body measurements, nutrient metabolism, and faecal microbiome diversity, the study aims to determine the potential advantages of TMR feeding for monogastric herbivores.
Compared The TMR group (S) demonstrated a significant increase in total weight gain and average daily weight gain, surpassing the control group (C) by 47.53% ( < 0.05) and 48.28% ( < 0.05), respectively. Moreover, the S group showed substantial improvements in DM (Dry Matter ), DE (Digestible Energy), CP (Crude Protein), ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber), and P (Phosphorus), with increases of 8.27% ( < 0.01), 11.97% ( < 0.01), 14.30% ( < 0.01), 39.52% ( < 0.01), and 38.35% ( < 0.01), respectively, compared to the C group. No significant differences were observed in serum parameters, including TP (Total Protein), ALB (Albumin), Cre (Creatinine), UA (Uric Acid), UREA (Urea), Glu (Glucose), T-Bil (Total Bilirubin), D-Bil (Direct Bilirubin), TC (Total Cholesterol), ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase), AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase), AST/ALT, ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase), CK (Creatine Kinase), Ca (Calcium), Mg (Magnesium), and Inorganic Phosphorus ( > 0.05). However, UREA was significantly reduced by 14.90% ( < 0.01). While faecal pH and VFA were unaffected ( > 0.05), the abundance of Spirochaetota, , , and was significantly elevated ( < 0.05). However, abundance was significantly reduced ( < 0.05).
In conclusion, under the conditions of this study, TMR feeding notably improved body weight, nutrient digestibility, gut microbiota composition, and fiber degradation in Akhal-Teke horses when compared to traditional feeding methods.
全混合日粮（TMR）因其营养成分均衡、饲料效率提高、动物生产性能增强以及胃肠道微生物群稳定而受到认可。它已在集约化反刍动物养殖中广泛应用，特别是用于牛和羊，并取得了积极成果。然而，其对非反刍草食动物（如马）营养健康的影响仍未得到充分研究。本研究旨在评估在保持相同日粮组成和营养水平的情况下，TMR饲喂与传统饲喂方式对阿克哈-塔克马的比较效果。通过分析体重、体尺生长、营养物质代谢和粪便微生物群多样性，该研究旨在确定TMR饲喂对单胃草食动物的潜在优势。
与对照组（C）相比，TMR组（S）的总体重增加和平均日增重显著增加，分别比对照组高出47.53%（P<0.05）和48.28%（P<0.05）。此外，S组在干物质（DM）、消化能（DE）、粗蛋白（CP）、酸性洗涤纤维（ADF）和磷（P）方面有显著改善，与C组相比，分别增加了8.27%（P<0.01）、11.97%（P<0.01）、14.30%（P<0.01）、39.52%（P<0.01）和38.35%（P<0.01）。血清参数，包括总蛋白（TP）、白蛋白（ALB）、肌酐（Cre）、尿酸（UA）、尿素（UREA）、葡萄糖（Glu）、总胆红素（T-Bil）、直接胆红素（D-Bil）、总胆固醇（TC）、谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷草转氨酶（AST）、AST/ALT、碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、肌酸激酶（CK）、钙（Ca）、镁（Mg）和无机磷，未观察到显著差异（P>0.05）。然而，尿素显著降低了14.90%（P<0.01）。虽然粪便pH值和挥发性脂肪酸不受影响（P>0.05），但螺旋体菌属、、和的丰度显著升高（P<0.05）。然而，的丰度显著降低（P<0.05）。
总之，在本研究条件下，与传统饲喂方法相比，TMR饲喂显著改善了阿克哈-塔克马的体重、营养物质消化率、肠道微生物群组成和纤维降解。
