# Effects of Dandelion Extracts on the Ruminal Microbiota, Metabolome, and Systemic Inflammation in Dairy Goats Fed a High-Concentrate Diet

## TL;DR

Adding dandelion extracts to the diet of dairy goats improves rumen health, boosts beneficial microbes, and reduces inflammation.

## Contribution

Dandelion extracts enhance rumen microbiota and metabolism in goats on high-concentrate diets.

## Key findings

- Dandelion extracts increased ruminal pH and acetate levels in dairy goats.
- Supplementation enriched Prevotella and improved amino acid and lipid metabolism.
- Dandelion reduced inflammation in mammary glands and boosted serum IgA levels.

## Abstract

This study showed that the addition of dandelion extracts to a high-concentrate diet for dairy goats offers significant benefits by increasing ruminal pH and improving fermentation by enhancing the levels of acetate in the rumen. Additionally, dandelion extracts bolstered the immune response through increased serum IgA. Also, dandelion extracts lowered inflammatory markers in the mammary gland and increased the growth of good ruminal microflora, especially Prevotella. This increased the production of good ruminal metabolites and made the metabolism of amino acids and fats better. Overall, these findings underscore the role of dandelion extracts used as a feed additive in supporting rumen health and promoting beneficial microbial and metabolic profiles in dairy goats under a high-concentrate diet.

This study examined the effect of dandelion extracts on the ruminal microbiota, metabolome, and inflammatory response in dairy goats fed a high-concentrate diet. Eighteen Guanzhong dairy goats were assigned to three groups: low-concentrate diet group (L group, F:C = 60:40), high-concentrate diet group (H group, F:C = 35:65), and dandelion group (D) with 1% dandelion extracts based on the H group. Over six weeks, milk, blood, and ruminal fluid were collected to analyze pH, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), inflammatory markers, microbiome, and metabolome. Feed intake was significantly higher in the H and D groups than in the L group. Ruminal pH decreased in the H group, acetate was significantly higher in the L and D groups, and serum IgA was higher in D group. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were dominant rumen phyla, and dandelion supplementation significantly increased Proteobacteria. Prevotella abundance was enriched in the L and D groups and showed a positive correlation with acetate. Dandelion extracts also increased the production of trans-3-Hydroxy-L-proline and 7-Ethyl-5,6-dihydro-1,4-dimethylazulene in the rumen while improving amino acid and lipid metabolism. Overall, supplementation of dandelion extracts positively influenced rumen microbiota, enhanced production of beneficial metabolites, and positively influenced immune function in dairy goats fed high-concentrate diet.