Cecropin AD improves growth performance in impaired lambs by modulating gastrointestinal morphology, barrier function, and microbial composition

The irrational use of antibiotics in veterinary practice can cause growth impairment and decrease production performance in young animals. In this study, the distinctive properties of cecropin AD (CAD), including its pathogen-killing and beneficial bacteria-promoting abilities, were used to enhance the growth of underdeveloped lambs. Fifty-four Hu sheep (female, 5 months, 19.78 ± 1.45 kg) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments for 5 weeks: N-CON (basal diet), L-AMPs (basal diet + 0.05 g CAD/sheep/day), and H-AMPs (basal diet + 0.1 g CAD/sheep/day). Dry matter intake (DMI) was recorded daily. At the end, three sheep per group were slaughtered to analyze gut microbiota, morphology, and blood biochemistry. Results showed CAD improved daily gain and feed-to-gain ratio in impaired sheep. It enhanced liver (GLO, ALT, AST, GGT, ALP; p < 0.03) and kidney function (BUN, CRE; p < 0.02), and significantly increased rumen papillae width/height (p < 0.01), duodenal villi height (p < 0.05), and the villus-to-crypt ratio (p < 0.01). It also upregulated tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-1) in the rumen wall (p < 0.05) and duodenal epithelium (p < 0.05). In addition, CAD enhanced the diversity (Shannon, F = 6.89, p = 0.001) and abundance (Chao1, F = 8.32, p = 0.002) of beneficial carbohydrate-fermenting bacteria (e.g., s_Rikenellaceae-RC9_gut_group_unclassified, g_Prevotella, o_Oscillospirales, g_ruminococcaceae_nk4a214_group, and g_Christensenellaceae_R-7_group), while inhibiting non-fermenting (g_Succiniclasticum) and opportunistic pathogens (c_Negativicutes, o_Veillonellales, and f_Veillonellaceae). Consequently, in impaired sheep, CAD improved gastrointestinal tissue structure and barrier function, increased beneficial rumen flora, and thereby enhanced growth performance.