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Zhangxinhan Wen

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Open access Aug 2026

Dietary Yeast Hydrolysate Alters Serum Metabolic Profiles and Selected Fecal Bacterial Taxa in Lactating Dezhou Jennies

Yeast hydrolysate (YH) is a yeast-derived functional feed ingredient containing bioactive peptides, amino acids, nucleotides, β-glucans, and mannan oligosaccharides, which may exert prebiotic-like effects by regulating nutrient metabolism, host health, and intestinal microbial homeostasis. However, its effects on lactating Dezhou jennies remain largely unclear. This study investigated the effects of dietary YH supplementation on body weight change, serum biochemical parameters, serum metabolomic profiles, and fecal microbiota composition in lactating Dezhou jennies. Sixteen healthy lactating Dezhou jennies were randomly assigned to a control group fed a basal diet (MCON, n = 8) or a YH supplementation group fed the basal diet supplemented with YH (MYE, n = 8) for 60 days. Compared with the MCON group, the MYE group showed numerically higher final body weight and body weight change. Serum biochemical analysis showed that YH supplementation significantly decreased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities and increased triglyceride (TG) concentrations, while all measured biochemical parameters remained within physiological reference ranges. Serum metabolomic profiling identified 193 differential metabolites between the two groups, including 55 upregulated and 138 downregulated metabolites in the MYE group. These metabolites were mainly associated with amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, bile acid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, mineral absorption, ABC transporters, and protein digestion and absorption, indicating that YH supplementation reshaped nutrient-related metabolic pathways in lactating Dezhou jennies. Fecal microbiota analysis showed no significant changes in α-diversity or overall community structure; however, the MYE group displayed numerically higher microbial richness indices, more unique ASVs and genera, a lower relative abundance of Bacteroidota, and a higher relative abundance of Bacillota. LEfSe analysis further revealed enrichment of specific bacterial taxa in the MYE group, including Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Anaerovorax, and UCG-related taxa. Collectively, these preliminary findings suggest that dietary YH supplementation may alter selected serum biochemical indices and circulating metabolites and may selectively affect the relative abundance of certain fecal bacterial taxa in lactating Dezhou jennies. However, given the limited sample size, these results should be interpreted cautiously, and larger-scale studies are needed to confirm their reproducibility and practical significance.

Zhangxinhan Wen, Jiaxin Liu, Zuowei Li et al. · 0 citations
Open access Aug 2026

Maternal Dietary Yeast Hydrolysate Alters Milk Composition and Influences Metabolic Status and Gut Microbiota in Dezhou Donkey Foals

Yeast hydrolysate (YH) has attracted increasing interest as a functional feed additive because of its potential benefits for maternal nutrition and offspring development. However, its effects on milk composition and the physiological responses of donkey foals remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of dietary YH supplementation in lactating Dezhou jennies on milk composition, as well as growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, and fecal microbiota in their foals. Sixteen healthy jennies and their foals were randomly assigned to a control group (OCON) or a YH-supplemented group (OYE; 0.5 g/kg diet) for 60 days. Maternal dietary YH supplementation significantly increased milk fat and milk protein contents. Foals in the OYE group showed a tendency toward greater back skin thickness, although the difference was not statistically significant, while body weight and neck skin thickness were unaffected. Serum biochemical analysis showed increased HDL-C and total cholesterol concentrations together with decreased triglyceride and LDL-C concentrations in the OYE group. In addition, serum ALT activity was significantly decreased, whereas AST levels were significantly increased. Fecal microbiota analysis indicated that YH supplementation did not significantly affect overall microbial diversity but altered the relative abundance of several bacterial taxa, including Prevotella, Alistipes, and Olsenella. Overall, maternal dietary YH supplementation was associated with changes in milk composition, selected serum biochemical parameters, and the relative abundance of specific fecal bacterial taxa in donkey foals. However, no significant improvement in offspring growth performance was observed, and the underlying mechanisms require further investigation.

Zhangxinhan Wen, Zuowei Li, Tianzheng Wang et al. · 0 citations