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Microbiology

Chinese Herbal Medicine Boosts Growth in Suckling Lambs through Improved Nutrient Utilization and Rumen Microbiota

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research has demonstrated the efficacy of compound Chinese herbal medicine (CCHM) in enhancing growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fermentation capacity in suckling lambs. A study published in Frontiers in Microbiology found that supplementation with CCHM during the suckling period improved average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and apparent digestibility of dry matter and acid detergent fiber. Additionally, CCHM elevated concentrations of ammonia nitrogen, total volatile fatty acids, and specific bacterial populations, including Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Patescibacteria.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved sixty suckling lambs, divided into a control and treatment group, with the treatment group receiving 0.2% CCHM in their basal diet.
  • CCHM supplementation improved average daily gain (ADG) by 10.2% and average daily feed intake (ADFI) by 12.5% compared to the control group.
  • The apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADDM) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) increased by 13.4% and 15.5%, respectively, following CCHM supplementation.
  • CCHM elevated ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentrations by 25.6% and total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) by 20.3% in the rumen.
  • The relative abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Patescibacteria, Succiniclasticum, Selenomonas, Olsenella, and Shuttleworthia increased following CCHM supplementation.
  • Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) revealed ten bacterial groups significantly enriched in the treatment group, including Patescibacteria (Phylum), Negativicutes, and Saccharimonadaceae.
  • Thirteen CAZyme families were detected, with six families enriched in the control group and eleven families enriched in the treatment group.

Statistics:

  • 10.2% improvement in ADG following CCHM supplementation.
  • 12.5% improvement in ADFI following CCHM supplementation.
  • 13.4% increase in ADDM following CCHM supplementation.
  • 15.5% increase in ADF following CCHM supplementation.
  • 25.6% increase in NH3-N concentrations in the rumen following CCHM supplementation.
  • 20.3% increase in TVFAs in the rumen following CCHM supplementation.

Sources:

  • (2025) Chinese herbal medicine promotes growth by improving nutrient utilization and rumen microbiota in suckling lambs. Frontiers in Microbiology, 16.
  • Wang et al. (2025) Feed Research Institute, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi, People's Republic of China.
  • Frontiers in Microbiology (http://www.frontiersin.org/microbiology)
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1644331

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