Fermented Cotton Stalks Preserve Colonic Epithelial Integrity in Hu Sheep via the Microbiota–Metabolite–NF-κB/MLCK Axis and Mitigate the Adverse Effects of Direct Feeding

Why It Matters

Fermentation unlocks the nutritional potential of cotton stalks, improving sheep growth performance while safeguarding colonic health, offering a cost‑effective feed solution for the livestock industry.

Key Takeaways

• Fermented cotton stalks boost sheep ADG to 322 g/day
• Fermentation lowers free gossypol and colonic ammonia
• Butyrate‑producing Lachnospiraceae enriched with fermented diet
• NF‑κB/MLCK signaling suppressed, tight‑junction proteins increased
• Colonic barrier integrity preserved, inflammation reduced

Pulse Analysis

The livestock sector continuously seeks affordable, high‑quality roughage to offset rising feed costs. Cotton stalks, an abundant by‑product of the global cotton industry, have long been sidelined due to their lignocellulosic complexity and the presence of free gossypol, a toxin that can impair gut health. By applying a controlled microbial fermentation process, producers can simultaneously break down the fibrous matrix and biologically detoxify gossypol, converting a waste stream into a digestible, palatable fiber source. This approach aligns with circular‑economy principles, reducing waste disposal expenses while creating a value‑added feed component.

Beyond basic nutrition, the study highlights profound gut‑microbiome benefits. Fermented cotton stalks fostered a richer, more diverse colonic microbiota, notably increasing Lachnospiraceae families such as Anaerostipes, Blautia, and Coprococcus. These taxa are renowned for butyrate production, a short‑chain fatty acid that fuels colonocytes and reinforces epithelial tight‑junctions. Elevated propionate and butyrate levels lowered colonic pH and ammonia, creating an environment hostile to pathogenic microbes and supportive of barrier integrity. Such microbial shifts translate into measurable physiological outcomes, including higher average daily gain and reduced systemic inflammation.

Mechanistically, the fermented diet attenuated the NF‑κB/MLCK inflammatory axis, decreasing phosphorylation of p65 and myosin light‑chain while up‑regulating ZO‑1, occludin, and claudins. This molecular cascade curtails intestinal permeability, preventing endotoxin translocation and chronic inflammation that can stunt growth. For producers, the dual advantage of enhanced animal performance and improved gut health reduces reliance on antibiotics and mitigates disease risk, delivering both economic and sustainability gains. As the industry moves toward precision nutrition, fermented cotton stalks emerge as a scientifically validated, cost‑effective feed innovation poised for broader adoption.