Effects of dietary l-carnosine supplementation on the growth, intestinal microbiota, and serum metabolome of fattening lambs.

Meng Y, Xian T, Kang G, Wang H, Feng T

Frontiers in veterinary science22 Jan 2025Cited by 3 (Europe PMC)

PMID39911489PMCIDPMC11795826DOI10.3389/fvets.2024.1525783PepBankPUB-39911489

Summary

Dietary l-carnosine supplementation has been shown to enhance animal performance and improve meat quality. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of l-carnosine on the physiological functions of animals have not been fully elucidated. We investigated the effects of dietary l-carnosine supplementation on growth performance, intestinal microbiota diversity, and the serum metabolome in fattening lambs to reveal the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of l-carnosine on the growth performance of sheep. Sixty 3-month-old male crossbred lambs (Dorper ♂ × Small Tail Han ♀) with an average body weight of 30 ± 5 kg were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (group C) fed a basal diet, and an experimental group (group L) fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of l-carnosine. At the end of the 60-day experiment, all sheep were weighed, and fecal and blood samples were collected from 12 random sheep. The fecal microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing, and serum metabolites were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Spearman correlation analysis was employed to assess the associations between intestinal microbiota and serum metabolite biomarkers. The results showed that weight gain and daily weight gain were significantly increased in group L compared to group C (p < 0.01). The dominant phyla in the intestinal microbiota (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes) did not significantly differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). At the genus level, the abundances of Syntrophococcus (p Butyricimonas (p Escherichia-Shigella and Candidatus Saccharimonas were significantly lower in group L than in group C (p < 0.05). Non-targeted metabolomics identified 68 differentially abundant biomarkers (VIP > 1, p < 0.05). The content of pyridine N-oxide glucuronide was significantly downregulated (p p < 0.001). Holdemania and Butyricimonas were positively correlated with l-histidine, d-apiose, and l-erythrulose (p Butyricimonas was negatively correlated with pyridine N-oxide glucuronide (p < 0.001). This study provided new insights into the effects of l-carnosine on the intestinal microbiota and nutrient metabolism in fattening sheep that will be helpful for the future application of l-carnosine in ruminants.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study13

13 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In fattening lambs, dietary carnosine increased weight gain compared with basal diet.
In plain wordsIn lambs, dietary carnosine increased weight gain compared with basal diet.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
IncreaseWeight gain
Study
sheepn = 60
Male Dorper × Small Tail Han fattening lambs
Comparator
Basal diet control
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
400 mg/kg diet · dietary · 60 daysAs given in this study (sheep).
Source sentences
Summary
The results showed that weight gain and daily weight gain were significantly increased in group L compared to group C (p < 0.01).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Sixty 3-month-old male crossbred lambs (Dorper ♂ × Small Tail Han ♀) with an average body weight of 30 ± 5 kg were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (group C) fed a basal diet, and an experimental group (group L) fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of l-carnosine.
Summary · context
At the end of the 60-day experiment, all sheep were weighed, and fecal and blood samples were collected from 12 random sheep.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3991148901
02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In fattening lambs, dietary carnosine increased daily weight gain compared with basal diet.
In plain wordsIn lambs, dietary carnosine increased daily weight gain compared with basal diet.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
IncreaseDaily weight gain
Study
sheepn = 60
Male Dorper × Small Tail Han fattening lambs
Comparator
Basal diet control
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
400 mg/kg diet · dietary · 60 daysAs given in this study (sheep).
Source sentences
Summary
The results showed that weight gain and daily weight gain were significantly increased in group L compared to group C (p < 0.01).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Sixty 3-month-old male crossbred lambs (Dorper ♂ × Small Tail Han ♀) with an average body weight of 30 ± 5 kg were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (group C) fed a basal diet, and an experimental group (group L) fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of l-carnosine.
Summary · context
At the end of the 60-day experiment, all sheep were weighed, and fecal and blood samples were collected from 12 random sheep.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3991148902
03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In fattening lambs, intestinal Firmicutes abundance did not significantly differ between carnosine and basal diet.
In plain wordsIn lambs, carnosine did not significantly change intestinal Firmicutes abundance compared with basal diet.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
No significant changeFirmicutes abundance
Study
sheepn = 12
Male Dorper × Small Tail Han fattening lambs
Comparator
Basal diet control
Outcome group
Gut microbiota · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
400 mg/kg diet · dietary · 60 daysAs given in this study (sheep).
Source sentences
Summary
The dominant phyla in the intestinal microbiota (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes) did not significantly differ between the two groups (p > 0.05).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Sixty 3-month-old male crossbred lambs (Dorper ♂ × Small Tail Han ♀) with an average body weight of 30 ± 5 kg were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (group C) fed a basal diet, and an experimental group (group L) fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of l-carnosine.
Summary · context
At the end of the 60-day experiment, all sheep were weighed, and fecal and blood samples were collected from 12 random sheep.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3991148903
04AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In fattening lambs, intestinal Bacteroidetes abundance did not significantly differ between carnosine and basal diet.
In plain wordsIn lambs, carnosine did not significantly change intestinal Bacteroidetes abundance compared with basal diet.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
No significant changeBacteroidetes abundance
Study
sheepn = 12
Male Dorper × Small Tail Han fattening lambs
Comparator
Basal diet control
Outcome group
Gut microbiota · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
400 mg/kg diet · dietary · 60 daysAs given in this study (sheep).
Source sentences
Summary
The dominant phyla in the intestinal microbiota (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes) did not significantly differ between the two groups (p > 0.05).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Sixty 3-month-old male crossbred lambs (Dorper ♂ × Small Tail Han ♀) with an average body weight of 30 ± 5 kg were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (group C) fed a basal diet, and an experimental group (group L) fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of l-carnosine.
Summary · context
At the end of the 60-day experiment, all sheep were weighed, and fecal and blood samples were collected from 12 random sheep.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3991148904
05AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In fattening lambs, dietary carnosine increased Syntrophococcus abundance compared with basal diet.
In plain wordsIn lambs, carnosine increased intestinal Syntrophococcus abundance compared with basal diet.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
IncreaseSyntrophococcus abundance
Study
sheepn = 12
Male Dorper × Small Tail Han fattening lambs
Comparator
Basal diet control
Outcome group
Gut microbiota · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
400 mg/kg diet · dietary · 60 daysAs given in this study (sheep).
Source sentences
Summary
At the genus level, the abundances of Syntrophococcus (p Butyricimonas (p Escherichia-Shigella and Candidatus Saccharimonas were significantly lower in group L than in group C (p < 0.05).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Sixty 3-month-old male crossbred lambs (Dorper ♂ × Small Tail Han ♀) with an average body weight of 30 ± 5 kg were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (group C) fed a basal diet, and an experimental group (group L) fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of l-carnosine.
Summary · context
At the end of the 60-day experiment, all sheep were weighed, and fecal and blood samples were collected from 12 random sheep.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3991148905
06AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In fattening lambs, dietary carnosine increased Butyricimonas abundance compared with basal diet.
In plain wordsIn lambs, carnosine increased intestinal Butyricimonas abundance compared with basal diet.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
IncreaseButyricimonas abundance
Study
sheepn = 12
Male Dorper × Small Tail Han fattening lambs
Comparator
Basal diet control
Outcome group
Gut microbiota · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
400 mg/kg diet · dietary · 60 daysAs given in this study (sheep).
Source sentences
Summary
At the genus level, the abundances of Syntrophococcus (p Butyricimonas (p Escherichia-Shigella and Candidatus Saccharimonas were significantly lower in group L than in group C (p < 0.05).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Sixty 3-month-old male crossbred lambs (Dorper ♂ × Small Tail Han ♀) with an average body weight of 30 ± 5 kg were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (group C) fed a basal diet, and an experimental group (group L) fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of l-carnosine.
Summary · context
At the end of the 60-day experiment, all sheep were weighed, and fecal and blood samples were collected from 12 random sheep.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3991148906
07AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In fattening lambs, dietary carnosine reduced Escherichia-Shigella abundance compared with basal diet.
In plain wordsIn lambs, carnosine reduced intestinal Escherichia-Shigella abundance compared with basal diet.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
DecreaseEscherichia-Shigella abundance
Study
sheepn = 12
Male Dorper × Small Tail Han fattening lambs
Comparator
Basal diet control
Outcome group
Gut microbiota · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
400 mg/kg diet · dietary · 60 daysAs given in this study (sheep).
Source sentences
Summary
At the genus level, the abundances of Syntrophococcus (p Butyricimonas (p Escherichia-Shigella and Candidatus Saccharimonas were significantly lower in group L than in group C (p < 0.05).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Sixty 3-month-old male crossbred lambs (Dorper ♂ × Small Tail Han ♀) with an average body weight of 30 ± 5 kg were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (group C) fed a basal diet, and an experimental group (group L) fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of l-carnosine.
Summary · context
At the end of the 60-day experiment, all sheep were weighed, and fecal and blood samples were collected from 12 random sheep.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3991148907
08AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In fattening lambs, dietary carnosine reduced Candidatus Saccharimonas abundance compared with basal diet.
In plain wordsIn lambs, carnosine reduced intestinal Candidatus Saccharimonas abundance compared with basal diet.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
DecreaseCandidatus Saccharimonas abundance
Study
sheepn = 12
Male Dorper × Small Tail Han fattening lambs
Comparator
Basal diet control
Outcome group
Gut microbiota · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
400 mg/kg diet · dietary · 60 daysAs given in this study (sheep).
Source sentences
Summary
At the genus level, the abundances of Syntrophococcus (p Butyricimonas (p Escherichia-Shigella and Candidatus Saccharimonas were significantly lower in group L than in group C (p < 0.05).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Sixty 3-month-old male crossbred lambs (Dorper ♂ × Small Tail Han ♀) with an average body weight of 30 ± 5 kg were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (group C) fed a basal diet, and an experimental group (group L) fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of l-carnosine.
Summary · context
At the end of the 60-day experiment, all sheep were weighed, and fecal and blood samples were collected from 12 random sheep.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3991148908
09AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In fattening lambs, metabolomics identified 68 differentially abundant biomarkers between carnosine and control diets.
In plain wordsIn lambs, analysis identified 68 differently abundant biomarkers between carnosine and control diets.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
MixedDifferential serum metabolite biomarkers
Study
sheepn = 12
Male Dorper × Small Tail Han fattening lambs
Comparator
Basal diet control
Outcome group
Metabolic pathways and metabolomics · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
400 mg/kg diet · dietary · 60 daysAs given in this study (sheep).
Measurements
Differential biomarkers
68 biomarkers
VIP > 1, p < 0.05
Source sentences
Summary
Non-targeted metabolomics identified 68 differentially abundant biomarkers (VIP > 1, p < 0.05).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Sixty 3-month-old male crossbred lambs (Dorper ♂ × Small Tail Han ♀) with an average body weight of 30 ± 5 kg were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (group C) fed a basal diet, and an experimental group (group L) fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of l-carnosine.
Summary · context
At the end of the 60-day experiment, all sheep were weighed, and fecal and blood samples were collected from 12 random sheep.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3991148909
10AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In fattening lambs, dietary carnosine reduced pyridine N-oxide glucuronide compared with basal diet.
In plain wordsIn lambs, carnosine reduced pyridine N-oxide glucuronide compared with basal diet.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
DecreasePyridine N-oxide glucuronide
Study
sheepn = 12
Male Dorper × Small Tail Han fattening lambs
Comparator
Basal diet control
Outcome group
Metabolic pathways and metabolomics · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
400 mg/kg diet · dietary · 60 daysAs given in this study (sheep).
Source sentences
Summary
The content of pyridine N-oxide glucuronide was significantly downregulated (p p < 0.001).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Sixty 3-month-old male crossbred lambs (Dorper ♂ × Small Tail Han ♀) with an average body weight of 30 ± 5 kg were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (group C) fed a basal diet, and an experimental group (group L) fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of l-carnosine.
Summary · context
At the end of the 60-day experiment, all sheep were weighed, and fecal and blood samples were collected from 12 random sheep.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3991148910
11AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In fattening lambs, dietary carnosine increased l-histidinol compared with basal diet.
In plain wordsIn lambs, carnosine increased l-histidinol compared with basal diet.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
IncreaseL-histidinol
Study
sheepn = 12
Male Dorper × Small Tail Han fattening lambs
Comparator
Basal diet control
Outcome group
Metabolic pathways and metabolomics · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
400 mg/kg diet · dietary · 60 daysAs given in this study (sheep).
Source sentences
Summary
The content of pyridine N-oxide glucuronide was significantly downregulated (p p < 0.001).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Sixty 3-month-old male crossbred lambs (Dorper ♂ × Small Tail Han ♀) with an average body weight of 30 ± 5 kg were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (group C) fed a basal diet, and an experimental group (group L) fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of l-carnosine.
Summary · context
At the end of the 60-day experiment, all sheep were weighed, and fecal and blood samples were collected from 12 random sheep.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3991148911
12AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In fattening lambs, dietary carnosine increased d-apiose compared with basal diet.
In plain wordsIn lambs, carnosine increased d-apiose compared with basal diet.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
IncreaseD-apiose
Study
sheepn = 12
Male Dorper × Small Tail Han fattening lambs
Comparator
Basal diet control
Outcome group
Metabolic pathways and metabolomics · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
400 mg/kg diet · dietary · 60 daysAs given in this study (sheep).
Source sentences
Summary
The content of pyridine N-oxide glucuronide was significantly downregulated (p p < 0.001).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Sixty 3-month-old male crossbred lambs (Dorper ♂ × Small Tail Han ♀) with an average body weight of 30 ± 5 kg were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (group C) fed a basal diet, and an experimental group (group L) fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of l-carnosine.
Summary · context
At the end of the 60-day experiment, all sheep were weighed, and fecal and blood samples were collected from 12 random sheep.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3991148912
13AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In fattening lambs, dietary carnosine increased isodomedin compared with basal diet.
In plain wordsIn lambs, carnosine increased isodomedin compared with basal diet.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
IncreaseIsodomedin
Study
sheepn = 12
Male Dorper × Small Tail Han fattening lambs
Comparator
Basal diet control
Outcome group
Metabolic pathways and metabolomics · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
400 mg/kg diet · dietary · 60 daysAs given in this study (sheep).
Source sentences
Summary
The content of pyridine N-oxide glucuronide was significantly downregulated (p p < 0.001).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Sixty 3-month-old male crossbred lambs (Dorper ♂ × Small Tail Han ♀) with an average body weight of 30 ± 5 kg were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (group C) fed a basal diet, and an experimental group (group L) fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of l-carnosine.
Summary · context
At the end of the 60-day experiment, all sheep were weighed, and fecal and blood samples were collected from 12 random sheep.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3991148913

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
27 Oct 2026, 18:20 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
27 Oct 2026, 16:32 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

Publication types

Keywords

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.