ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Genet.
Sec. Livestock Genomics
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fgene.2025.1618682
Effect of Broccoli Extract Supplement on Carcass Traits and Lipid Metabolism in Holstein steers
Provisionally accepted
Shuangshuang Chen1
Xinyu Zhang1Tao Zhu1Die Tang1
Mingxing Wen1
Chuang Tang1Ling Hou1Zhiyao Zeng2Shanfeng Tong2Xuelong Li3
Lu Lu1Keren Long1
Quanhui Peng4Anan Jang1*
Jideng Ma1*- 1State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- 2Chengdu Xunchi Youniu Agricultural Technology Co., LTD., chengdu, China
- 3Ninxia Bahe Animal Husbandry Co., LTD., chengdu, China
- 4Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
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The use of feed additives can enhance feed efficiency and improve animal productivity. This study examined the effects of broccoli extract on growth performance, rumen microbial composition, blood metabolites, and gene expression in the liver and adipose tissue of Holstein steers. Steers were assigned to three groups, receiving 0g, 15g, or 18g of broccoli extract daily for 45 days. No significant differences were observed in average daily gain, dressing percentage, or fecal score (P > 0.05). However, significant improvements were found in feed intake, bedding rate, rumination rate, net meat yield, and subcutaneous fat percentage in the broccoli extract groups (P < 0.05).Rumen fluid analysis by 16S rRNA sequencing revealed a more diverse microbial community in the 18g group. Blood metabolomics showed increased prostaglandin E2 levels and enrichment in inflammatory and lipid metabolism pathways. Transcriptomic analysis revealed gene enrichment related to inflammation, immune response, and lipid metabolism. Integrated analysis showed correlations between lipid metabolism-related metabolites and gene expression. These findings suggest that broccoli extract positively influences animal behavior, carcass traits, and lipid metabolism, while optimizing rumen microbial composition, offering valuable insights into its potential application in livestock production.
Keywords: Holstein steer, Growth and fattening, Broccoli extract, Lipid Metabolism, 16S, Metabolomics, Transcriptomics
Received: 01 May 2025; Accepted: 14 Jul 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Chen, Zhang, Zhu, Tang, Wen, Tang, Hou, Zeng, Tong, Li, Lu, Long, Peng, Jang and Ma. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Anan Jang, State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
Jideng Ma, State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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