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Effect of chemically protected sodium butyrate on growth performance, serum indicators, rumen fermentation parameters and microbiota of Gangba sheep |
Yining Xie1 
, Melaku Mebratu1
, Zhaohan Zhan1
, Xiaokang Jing1
, Junhong Wang1
, Huaibao Zhao1
, Bao Yi1
, TENG Ma1,*
, LIANG Chen1
, Hongfu Zhang1
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1Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
2Precision Livestock and Nutrition Unit, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, TERRA Teaching and Research Centre, Liège University, Gembloux, Belgium |
Correspondence:
TENG Ma, Tel: +86-1062816013, Fax: 86-1062818910, Email: mateng@caas.cn
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Received: 16 September 2025 • Revised: 1 December 2025 • Accepted: 9 March 2026 |
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| Abstract |
Objective
This study investigated the effects of chemically protected sodium butyrate (CSB) on growth performance, serum indicators, rumen fermentation parameters, and microbial communities in Gangba sheep.
Method: Twenty-four healthy 5-month-old male Gangba sheep with an initial body weight of 19.54±1.04 kg were randomly assigned to 4 groups and fed diets containing 0, 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 g/kg CSB for 74 days. After a 14-day adaptation period, the daily feed intake of Gangba sheep was recorded. Fecal samples were collected during the last 7 days of the trial, and serum and rumen fluid were sampled on the final day.
Results
CSB improved final body weight, average daily dry matter intake, and average daily gain while reducing the feed conversion ratio of Gangba sheep (p < 0.05). In addition, CSB improved the apparent digestibility of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber (p < 0.05). Moreover, CSB increased serum immunoglobulin G levels while decreasing tumor necrosis factor-α levels (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, CSB increased serum growth hormone-releasing hormone levels (p < 0.05). Moreover, CSB increased rumen fluid pH and enhanced concentrations of ammonia nitrogen, acetic acid, iso-butyric acid, butyric acid, and total volatile fatty acids, as well as activities of lipase and butyrate kinase (p < 0.05). Besides, CSB enhanced the rumen microbiota structure by increasing the relative abundance of Fibrobacter, unclassified _Oscillospiraceae, and Ruminococcus.
Conclusion
CSB improved serum immune and hormone indicators, enhanced the rumen ecological environment, and increased feed digestibility and utilization, thereby promoting the growth of Gangba sheep. It is recommended to use a dosage of 5.0 g/kg dry matter for optimal growth performance and health benefits. |
| Keywords:
Chemically Protected Sodium Butyrate; Growth Performance; Serum Indicators; Rumen Fermentation Parameters; Rumen Microbiota; Gangba Sheep |
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