Succession of rumen microbiota and metabolites across different reproductive periods in different sheep breeds and their impact on the growth and development of offspring lambs

The microbiota and metabolites in the gastrointestinal tracts of female animals at different reproductive periods are very important to the growth, development, and health of themselves and their offspring. However, the changes in the gastrointestinal microbiota and metabolites throughout reproductive period of different sheep breeds and their effects on the growth and development of offspring lambs are still unclear. Hence, this study presents an assessment of the reproductive hormone levels, immune levels, rumen microbiota, and metabolites in Hu sheep and Suffolk ewes at different reproductive periods and their effects on the growth and development of offspring lambs.