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Graphical abstract:

In this study, we investigated the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) against the side effects of high-dose administration of methylprednisolone (MP) in male rats. A total of 32 adult Wistar male albino rats were divided into four groups: (1) control (CON), received standard food only; (2) MP, received standard food + intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg MP on day 7; (3) GSPE, received standard food + 200 mg/kg/day GSPE; and (4) MP + GSPE, received standard food + 200 mg/kg/day of GSPE + intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg MP on day 7. All animals in the GSPE and GSPE + MP groups were treated once a day by oral gavage for 14 consecutive days. The feed intake of rats in the MP and MP + GSPE groups decreased significantly by 24.14% and 13.52%, respectively (p< 0.05). Administration of MP resulted in significant increases in serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (p< 0.001), glucose (p< 0.01), alkaline phosphatase, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (p< 0.05). High-dose MP administration significantly reduced catalase (p< 0.001) and glutathione peroxidase (p< 0.05) concentrations in the liver and kidney tissues of rats, while glutathione concentrations were only reduced in liver tissue (p< 0.05). The expression levels of Bcl-2and TNF-αin liver, kidney, and testicular tissue were significantly increased, while the expression levels of caspase-3were reduced (p< 0.001). Furthermore, sperm concentration was significantly affected by GSPE in rats induced by high-dose MP, and sperm loss was significantly reduced in MP + GSPE (p< 0.05). These findings suggest that GSPE could be useful as a supplement to alleviate MP-induced toxicity in rats.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) is a vital source of forage protein for ruminants, yet its ensiling poses challenges due to high buffering capacity and low water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC). This study investigated the impact of sodium diacetate (SDA) on alfalfa silage quality and aerobic stability. SDA was applied at four different rates to wilted alfalfa on a fresh basis: 0 g/kg, 3 g/kg, 5 g/kg, and 7 g/kg, and silages were ensiled in laboratory-scale silos for 45 days, followed by 7 days of aerobic exposure. A 16S rRNA gene sequencing assay using GenomeLab™ GeXP was performed to determine the relationship between dominant isolated lactic acid bacteria species and fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability on silage. The results showed that Lentilolactobacillus brevis, Pediococcus pentosaceusand Enterococcus faeciumwere the most prevalent bacteria when silos were opened, whereas Weissella paramesenteroides, Bacillus cereus, B. megateriumand Bacillusspp. were most prevalent bacteria after 7 days of aerobic exposure. Dry matter, pH, and WSC content were not affected by SDA, but doses above 5 g/kg induced a homofermentative process, which increased lactic acid concentration and lactic acid to acetic acid ratio, decreased yeast count during aerobic exposure, and improved aerobic stability. These findings offer useful information for optimizing SDA usage in silage, assuring improved quality and longer storage, and thereby improving animal husbandry and sustainable feed practices.