Colonic Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Enhances Health and Growth Performance in Low Birth Weight Holstein Calves by Modulating Lipid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota

This trial was to investigate the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) administered via the colon during the neonatal period on low birth weight calves and the effect on gut microbial colonization. In this study FMT was found to improve growth performance and reduce the incidence of calf diarrhea in low birth weight calves. Additionally, FMT reduced the concentration of total cholesterol (TC) in serum and was associated with a reduced abundance of g_Ruminococcus_gnavus_group in fecal microorganisms. Metabolic pathway analyses revealed significant alterations in the FMT group compared to the control group. Notably, two of these pathways were related to lipid metabolism. In conclusion, the results indicate that neonatal colonic FMT is an effective method to enhance growth performance, strengthen immunity, reduce morbidity, decrease harmful gut bacteria, and improve the metabolic capacity of the organism.