China Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (2): 810-818.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2026.02.027

• Nutrition and Feed • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of Adding Yeast Cultures During Mid to Late Gestation on Production Performance, Postpartum Serum Indices and Rumen Fermentation Parameters in Ewes

YANG Zhenxiang1,2,3(), LI Lingui1,2,3, LI Changchang1,3,4, MA Wenbin1,2,3, LIU Yanfeng1,3(), YANG Huiguo5, WANG Wenqi1,3(), LI Changqing6   

  1. 1.Feed Research Institute,Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science,Urumqi 830011,China
    2.College of Animal Science,Xinjiang Agricultural University,Urumqi 830052,China
    3.Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivorous Livestock Feed Biotechnology,Urumqi 830011,China
    4.School of Animal Science and Technology,Tarim University,Alar 843300,China
    5.Livestock Research Institute,Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science,Urumqi 830011,China
    6.Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences,Hohhot 010031,China
  • Received:2025-06-19 Online:2026-02-20 Published:2026-01-27
  • Contact: LIU Yanfeng, WANG Wenqi E-mail:2362469334@qq.com;xjslslyf@163.com;xjslswwq@163.com

Abstract:

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the persistent effects of yeast culture (YC) supplementation during mid-to-late gestation on the productive performance, postpartum serum biochemical indices and rumen fermentation parameters of primiparous ewes. Method Thirty-six healthy Hu sheep weighing (37.72±1.91) kg on the 51st day of gestation were selected for the experiment, and were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the principle of similarity in body weight, with 6 replicates in each group and 3 sheep in each replicate. After 9 days of pre-feeding, the experimental feeding was conducted from gestation day 60 to 150. The ewes in control group (CK group) were fed a total mixed ration, while in experimental group (YC group) were fed the same ration supplemented with 5% YC. After lambing, both groups were fed the same diet as the CK group. On postpartum day 20, blood and rumen fluid samples were collected from the ewes for determination of serum biochemical, immune, and antioxidant indices, as well as rumen fermentation parameters. The production performance of the ewes and lambs was also measured to assess the sustained effects of YC. Result Compared with CK group, ① The birth weight of lambs in YC group was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the weight of lambs on day 20 was also tended to increase (0.05<P<0.10); ② The serum cortisol (COR) content of ewes in YC group was extremely significantly increased (P<0.01), the total protein (TP) content was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the albumin (ALB) content tended to increase (0.05<P<0.10); ③ The serum interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) contents of ewes in YC group were extremely significantly increased (P<0.01), and the immunoglobulin G (IgG) content was significantly increased (P<0.05); ④ In the serum of ewes in YC group, the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was extremely significantly increased (P<0.01), the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was significantly increased (P<0.05), the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed an increasing trend (0.05<P<0.10), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) showed a decreasing trend (0.05<P<0.10); ⑤ In the rumen fluid of YC group, the content of microbial protein (MCP) and the concentration of propionic acid showed an increasing trend (0.05<P<0.10). Conclusion Adding YC in the middle and late stages of pregnancy could improve the production performance of primiparous ewes and improve their immune function and antioxidant capacity.

Key words: primiparous Hu sheep; yeast culture; production performance; serum indices; ruminal fermentation parameters

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