Prospects of probiotics in improvement of health and productivity of dairy animals and reducing antibiotic load on the environment

Microbial communities are present everywhere, and the animal body harbors a diverse range of microflora belonging to all classes of lives, including bacteria, archaea, protozoa, yeast, etc. The microflora present in the gut, reproductive tract, and mammary gland plays a noteworthy role for maintaining the overall health and productivity of the host animal by virtue of upholding an intricate balance between health positive and health negative microflora. Dysbiosis, an imbalance of the microbial species, could lead to onset or progression of several health issues, resulting to diseases and so also the economic losses. A major challenge in managing these microbial imbalances is the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, which could disrupt microbiota composition, contribute to development and spread of antimicrobial resistance and increase the antibiotic load on environment. As a result, there is an increasing demand for alternative solutions. Probiotics are the beneficial live microorganisms having potential to produce antimicrobial substances and other metabolites. In contrast to antibiotics, which can have harmful consequences even at therapeutic dosages, probiotics are a safer option with a lower chance of adverse effects. Furthermore, they do not contribute to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance or increase the antibiotic load on environment. Probiotics help to restore the disturbed microbiota balance, thereby improving the health and production of the animal. This review aims to explore the factors contributing to dysbiosis in the reproductive tract and udder microbiota, leading to infections such as uterine disorders and mastitis. It also encompasses the potential of probiotic as an alternative to conventional antimicrobials, focusing on their ability to enhance animal health, reproduction, and overall productivity. Furthermore, this review summarizes various studies examining the influence of probiotics administered through different routes on animals’ well-being and productivity. While the potential benefits are clearly evident, further scientific exploration is required to optimize the probiotic application and fully explore their role in promoting animal health and productivity.