The additive from co-fermented edible plants and probiotics improved calves’ growth performance and health by regulating antioxidant and gastrointestinal-microbiota

Xu, Yi-Ou; Wu, Qing-Hua; Zhang, Xiang-Long; Yin, Xiu-Jie; Zhang, Yong-Gen; Li, Yang; Dou, Xiu-Jing

doi:.0.0.0

Article

https://doi.org/10.5713/ab.250112 [Accepted] Published online November 14, 2025.

The additive from co-fermented edible plants and probiotics improved calves’ growth performance and health by regulating antioxidant and gastrointestinal-microbiota

Yi-Ou Xu¹

, Yang Li^1,*

, Xiu-Jing Dou^1,*

¹Northeast Agricultrual University, Harbin, China
²Heilongjiang Vocational College of Agricultural Technology, Jiamusi, China

Correspondence: Yang Li, Tel: +86-451-55190840, Email: liyang1405053@neau.edu.cn
Xiu-Jing Dou,Email: douxiujing@neau.edu.cn

Received: 21 February 2025 • Revised: 2 August 2025 • Accepted: 13 November 2025

Abstract

Objective
The study aimed to assess how the additive from co-fermented edible plants and probiotics (AEPP) impacted growth performance, disease resistance, plasma and rumen metabolites, and bacterial communities in the rumen and feces of pre-weaned calves.
Methods
Twenty female Holstein calves (7 ± 0.50 d, 41.65 ± 6.20 kg) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: the Control group or the Treatment group (30 g/head/day AEPP supplementation). Measurements of growth performance, blood, and fecal samples were regularly conducted. On day 30 of the trial, rumen fluid and fecal samples were collected for multi-omics analysis.
Results
Dietary supplementation with AEPP enhanced calf growth and improved disease resistance, as evidenced by a reduced incidence of respiratory disease and diarrhea, and a decreased frequency of antibiotic therapy (P < 0.05). The Treatment group exhibited enrichment of rumen microorganisms Prevotella, Ruminococcus, and Xylanibacter (LDA > 2, P < 0.05), along with increased activity in beneficial metabolites such as indoleacetic acid, which activated Starch and sucrose metabolism and Tryptophan metabolism pathway. This significantly improved average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency, immunoglobulin G (IgG), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, as well as significantly reduced levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (P < 0.05), promoting calf growth and health. The elevated abundance of fecal microorganisms, Subdoligranulum and Bifidobacterium, in the Treatment group altered fecal pH, short-chain fatty acids, and butyrate proportions (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Feeding AEPP improved growth performance, disease resistance, and antioxidant function. It altered the bacterial communities and metabolic profiles in the rumen and feces of preweaning dairy calves, providing a data reference for the use of AEPP in young ruminant production.

Keywords: Dairy calf; Disease resistance; Growth performance; Gastrointestinal microbiota; The additive from co-fermented edible plants...