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Open AccessVollständige AnalyseJun 16, 2026

Gastrointestinal microbial nitrogen metabolic landscape in goats fed distinct dietary protein sources

Goats fed soybean meal (SBM) showed greater nitrogen utilization efficiency than those fed corn gluten meal (CGM), with measurable differences in weight gain, nutrient digestibility, and GIT microbial composition.

The question (PICO)
PopulationGoats (ruminant animal model) fed isonitrogenous diets with SBM or CGM as the main protein source
InterventionSoybean meal (SBM) diet — higher rumen-degradable protein (RDP) fraction and more balanced AA profile
VergleichCorn gluten meal (CGM) diet — higher rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) fraction and limiting AA profile (deficient in lysine, tryptophan, and histidine)
EndpunktNitrogen utilization efficiency: average daily gain (ADG), nutrient digestibility, free amino acid concentrations in GIT, microbial composition and functionality (rumen and colon)
CEvidenz
Studie
Observational study
Effekt
Günstig
Zusammenfassung der Ergebnisse nach Endpunkt
EndpunktGradRichtungEffektStudien
Average daily gain (ADG)C GünstigSBM > CGM; sem IC 95% reportado1
Nutrient digestibilityC GünstigSBM > CGM; sem IC 95% reportado1
Free amino acid concentration in GITC GünstigSBM > CGM; sem IC 95% reportado1
Enrichment of rumen protein degradersC GünstigSBM enriqueceu Sodaliphilus, Limivicinus, RUG472; sem IC 95%1
Abundance of ruminal peptidase genes (pepT, pepDA/B)C GünstigSBM > CGM; sem IC 95% reportado1
Compensatory microbial AA biosynthesis response in CGM (trpA, trpB, dapA, hisG)C UnzureichendCGM > SBM em genes de biosíntese; compensação parcial insuficiente; sem IC 95%1
Enrichment of Alistipes spp. in colon (CGM)C NeutralCGM > SBM; significado funcional incerto; sem IC 95%1
Average daily gain (ADG)C
Richtung Günstig
EffektSBM > CGM; sem IC 95% reportado
Studien1
Nutrient digestibilityC
Richtung Günstig
EffektSBM > CGM; sem IC 95% reportado
Studien1
Free amino acid concentration in GITC
Richtung Günstig
EffektSBM > CGM; sem IC 95% reportado
Studien1
Enrichment of rumen protein degradersC
Richtung Günstig
EffektSBM enriqueceu Sodaliphilus, Limivicinus, RUG472; sem IC 95%
Studien1
Abundance of ruminal peptidase genes (pepT, pepDA/B)C
Richtung Günstig
EffektSBM > CGM; sem IC 95% reportado
Studien1
Compensatory microbial AA biosynthesis response in CGM (trpA, trpB, dapA, hisG)C
Richtung Unzureichend
EffektCGM > SBM em genes de biosíntese; compensação parcial insuficiente; sem IC 95%
Studien1
Enrichment of Alistipes spp. in colon (CGM)C
Richtung Neutral
EffektCGM > SBM; significado funcional incerto; sem IC 95%
Studien1

Kontext

Global supply instability of SBM drives the search for alternative protein sources in ruminant nutrition. GIT microbiota regulates the partition of dietary nitrogen into microbial protein, absorbable amino acids, and excreted nitrogen. Mapping how distinct protein sources reconfigure this microbiota informs feeding strategies to reduce environmental nitrogen losses.

Was die Studie zeigte

SBM-fed goats had greater ADG, nutrient digestibility, and free amino acid concentrations in the GIT. The SBM diet enriched rumen protein degraders (Sodaliphilus, Limivicinus, RUG472) and upregulated key peptidase genes (pepT, pepDA/B). CGM enriched Alistipes spp. in the colon and triggered a microbial compensatory response with increased abundance of genes for de novo biosynthesis of aromatic AAs (trpA, trpB), lysine (dapA), and histidine (hisG), deemed insufficient to offset the nutritional shortfall. Absolute values, 95% CIs, and effect sizes are not reported in the available text.

Wie es durchgeführt wurde

Controlled experimental study in goats, two dietary conditions (SBM vs. CGM), evaluating rumen and colon separately using metagenomics and functional gene sequencing. Exact sample size and study duration are not specified in the provided excerpt. Goats served as a model for ruminants.

Effektgröße

No effect sizes with 95% CIs are reported in the available text; differences are described as 'greater' without explicit absolute or relative quantification.

Einschränkungen

Single animal model (goats), without validation in commercially relevant bovines or ovines. Sample size and study duration not specified in the excerpt, preventing power assessment. Comparative design without formally reported randomization — bias risk not assessable by RoB 2 or ROBINS-I with available information. Compensatory microbial response based on gene abundance without functional confirmation of actual AA synthesis. Extrapolation to humans or other ruminant species is not supported.

In der klinischen Praxis

This is a preclinical animal model study; no direct human application. For ruminant nutritionists: rumen and colonic proteolytic microbiota composition responds to dietary protein source, and ruminal protein degradability affects nitrogen retention efficiency. Replacing SBM with CGM without adjusting for limiting amino acids results in lower nitrogen efficiency even with partial microbial compensatory response.

Was noch fehlt

Studies with larger n, defined duration, absolute quantification of outcomes, and functional confirmation (e.g., stable isotope tracing of N flux) are needed to validate observed differences and assess whether targeted microbial manipulation can recover CGM nitrogen efficiency.

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