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This study investigated the effects of substitution of whole corn silage (WCS) with Broussonetia papyrifera silage (BPS) in different ratios on the serum indicators, hindgut fermentation parameters (pH, ammoniacal nitrogen, and volatile fatty acids), and fecal bacterial community of Holstein heifers. Sixteen heifers (8-month-old, 220 ± 30 kg) were randomly divided into four treatments according to different BPS substitution ratios of feed basis (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%). The experiment consisted of a 7-day preliminary feeding period and a 30-day experimental period. On the last day of the trial, the blood samples were collected from caudal vein, and the feces samples were collected from rectum. With the increasing of BPS content, the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in serum decreased (P P P Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Verrucomicrobia; and the dominant genera were Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-010, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group. Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis found 12 differential operational taxonomic units (OTUs) which have strong correlation with some serum and hindgut indicators, and have the potential to be used as biomarkers. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) found that BPS have impacts on the pathways, such as carbohydrate transport and metabolism, and promotes amino acid transport and metabolism. To sum up, inclusion of BPS in heifer diets can affect serum anti-oxidant and immune indicators, fecal parameters, composition and function of fecal microorganisms in Holstein heifers.

Broussonetia papyrifera has a high lignocellulose content leading to poor palatability and low digestion rate of ruminants. Thus, dynamic profiles of fermentation lignocellulose characteristics, microbial community structure, potential function, and interspecific relationships of B. papyrifera mixing with wheat bran in different ratios: 100:0 (BP100), 90:10 (BP90), 80:20 (BP80), and 65:35 (BP65) were investigated on ensiling days 5, 15, 30, and 50. The results showed that adding bran increased the degradation rate of hemicellulose, neutral detergent fiber, and the activities of filter paper cellulase, endoglucanase, acid protease, and neutral protease, especially in the ratio of 65:35. Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Weissella genus bacteria were the dominant genera in silage fermentation, and Pediococcus and Weissella genus bacteria regulated the process of silage fermentation. Compared with monospecific B. papyrifera silage, adding bran significantly increased the abundance of Weissella sp., and improved bacterial fermentation potential in BP65 (p < 0.05). Distance-based redundancy analysis showed that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were significantly positive correlated with most lignocellulose content and degrading enzymes activities, while Monascus sp. and Syncephalastrum sp. were opposite (p < 0.05). Co-occurrence network analysis indicated that there were significant differences in microbial networks among different mixing ratios of B. papyrifera silage prepared with bran. There was a more complex, highly diverse and less competitive co-occurrence network in BP65, which was helpful to silage fermentation. In conclusion, B. papyrifera ensiled with bran improved the microbial community structure and the interspecific relationship and reduced the content of lignocellulose.

Objective This study was carried out to investigate the possible application of Broussonetia papyrifera (B. papyrifera) silage as a functional feeding stuff in dairy cattle. Methods Seventy-two Holstein cows were divided into four groups randomly and allocated to 6 pens with 3 individuals in each group and fed the original total mixed ratio (TMR) in the dairy farm or the new TMR with 5%, 10%, and 15% B. papyrifera silage, separately. Feed intake were recorded, milk and blood samples were collected, and milk composition, blood metabolites and milk fatty acids composition were measure at the end of the experiment. Results Dry matter intake of cows decreased when they fed on diet with B. papyrifera, but no differences were observed in body condition score, milk yield, milk protein and lactose, feed efficiency and serum metabolites between groups. Both 10% or 15% of B. papyrifera silage in the diet significantly increased the immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG in serum, 15% of B. papyrifera silage increased the content of serum catalase, superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and decreased the content of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. Furthermore, 10% or 15% of B. papyrifera silage resulted in a significant decrease in the milk somatic cell count, and increased the polyunsaturated fatty acids content in the milk. Conclusion The diets with 10% to 15% of B. papyrifera silage might enhance the immune and antioxidant function of dairy cows and increase the polyunstaturated fatty acid concentration in the milk.

Objective: The study was conducted to investigate the effects of Broussonetia papyrifera L.(B. papyrifera) silage on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, meat quality, and meat amino acids and fatty acids compositions in beef cattle.Methods: Sixty-four male Angus beef cattle were assigned to 4 groups with 4 pens in each group and 4 beef cattle in each pen, and fed with the total mixed ration supplemented with 0%, 5%, 10%, or 15% B. papyrifera silage for 100 days (control group, 5% group, 10% group and 15% group) separately.Results: Beef cattle had significantly higher final body weight (BW) in 15% group, higher average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI) in 5% group, 10% group and 15% group, and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) in 10% group and 15% group. Significantly higher blood superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration was noted in 15% group, higher blood total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in 10% group and 15% group, lower 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in 15% group. Meat had lower pH in 15% group, higher Commission International DeI’Eclairage (CIE) L* in 5% group, 10% group, and 15% group, and lower drip loss in 15% group. Greater concentration of meat polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was observed in 10% group and 15% group, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in 15% group.Conclusion: Diet with 15% B. papyrifera silage could improve performance and increase final BW, ADG, DMI, and FCR, enhance the antioxidant functions by decreasing blood 8-OHdG and MDA and increasing blood SOD and TAC, improve the meat quality by lowing pH and drip loss and increasing CIE L*, increase the meat PUFA and DHA concentration. Polyphenols and flavonoids might be the main components responsible for the antioxidant activity and anti-biohydrogenation in the B. papyrifera silage. And B. papyrifera silage could be used as a new feedstuff in beef cattle nutrition.