Oregano essential oil improves growth performance and health of steers by maintaining gut-liver axis homeostasis through the ileal microbiota-mediated bile acid pathway

The high-concentrate diet presents significant challenges regarding intestinal nutrient absorption and hepatic energy metabolism in beef cattle. Therefore, it is crucial to develop novel intervention strategies to solve it. This study examined the effects of oregano essential oil (OEO) on the growth performance, ileac microorganisms and metabolites, and liver health in steers. Eighteen steers were randomly allocated to two groups (n = 9) and received either a basal diet (CON) or the same diet supplemented with 20 g/(d·head) OEO for 270 days.