Effects of Bacillus coagulans supplements on growth, digestibility, and immunity of Qianbei Brown Goat

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Bacillus coagulans (BC) addition on body weight gain, nutrient digestibility, and serum biochemical indexes of Qianbei brown goats. Thirty-six healthy Qianbei brown goats weighting (24.15 ± 2.66) kg were selected and divided into 3 groups with 3 replicates in each group and 4 goats in each replicate (2 males and 2 females). Goats from the control, I, and II groups consumed a basal diet supplemented with 0 CFU·kg⁻¹ BC, 1 × 10⁵ CFU·kg⁻¹ BC, and 2 × 10⁵ CFU·kg⁻¹ BC, respectively. The experiment lasted for 40 d, that is, an initial 10 d of diet acclimatization followed by 30 d of data collection (fecal collection was in the last 7 d). The results indicated that 1) 2 × 10⁵ CFU·kg⁻¹ BC inclusion significantly improved the average daily gain (ADG) of Qianbei brown goats (P < 0.05). 2) there was no significant difference in apparent digestibility of gross energy (GE), dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) among the treatments (P > 0.05). 3) 2 × 10⁵ CFU·kg⁻¹ BC addition decreased the secretion of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α (P < 0.05), IL-1β (P < 0.05), and IL-6 (P < 0.05) and increased the serum immunoglobulin IgG and IgA (P < 0.05) concentrations in Qianbei brown goats. In conclusion, 2 × 10⁵ CFU·kg⁻¹ BC addition inhibits inflammation, improves immunity, and promotes growth of Qianbei brown goats.