Effects of Dietary Protein on Weight Gain, Biochemical Parameters, and Gut Microbiota in Late-Gestation Grazing Mongolian Mares
Y F LIU·Xi Zhang·Qianqian He·Gen Wang·吴振友·Liu Q·Ming Du·Yuanzhang Zhao·Gerelchimeg Bou·Dongyi Bai·Manglai Dugarjaviin·X Wang
Severe winter nutritional deficiencies may impair reproductive performance in Mongolian mares, yet optimal protein requirements during late gestation remain undefined. This study aimed to determine the effects of varying protein levels in complementary feed on gestational performance, physiology, and gut health. Seventeen late-gestating mares were assigned to three isocaloric diets differing in crude protein (CP)—high (HCP, 13.25%), medium (MCP, 12.04%), and low (LCP, 10.85%)—for 40 days. Statis