Effects of Dietary Digestible Energy Levels on Milk Performance, Rumen Fermentation, and Rumen Microbiota in Lactating Bactrian Camels from Southern Xinjiang

Abstract

Simple Summary This study evaluated the effects of dietary digestible energy levels of 12.25, 12.49, 12.74, and 12.99 MJ/kg on lactation performance, rumen fermentation, and rumen microbiota in lactating Bactrian camels. The results showed significant increases in milk yield, milk fat yield, and lactose yield with increasing dietary digestible energy, whereas no significant differences were detected in milk protein percentage, milk fat percentage, lactose percentage, or milk protein yield among treatments. As dietary digestible energy increased, ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentration decreased significantly, while propionate and butyrate concentrations were significantly higher in the high-energy group. In contrast, no significant differences were detected in acetate concentration, total volatile fatty acid concentration, or rumen pH among treatments. No significant differences were detected in overall rumen microbial diversity or community structure among dietary digestible energy treatments. Overall, within the dietary range examined in this study, an appropriate increase in digestible energy improved lactation performance and rumen fermentation in lactating Bactrian camels, while no significant differences were detected in overall rumen microbial diversity or community structure.