Rumen-Protected Taurine Alleviates Heat Stress Injury in Hu Sheep by Regulating Inflammatory Response, Gut Microbiota and Transcriptome

Prolonged high temperature and humidity pose significant challenges to sheep health and productivity due to heat stress. This research assessed the physiological regulatory impact of supplementing heat-stressed Hu sheep with rumen-protected taurine. Forty-eight animals were assigned to four groups receiving different taurine doses over a 63-day period. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant and immune indices, transcriptomic profiles, and gut microbiota composition. Dietary supplementation with 0.4% RPT significantly enhanced feed intake, daily weight gain, and feed efficiency. Serum analysis revealed increased taurine and high-density lipoprotein levels, reduced cortisol and inflammatory cytokines, and elevated antioxidant enzyme activity. Transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed genes enriched in immune and antiviral pathways, including JAK-STAT signaling pathway being among those highlighted. Gut microbiota profiling showed increased diversity and improved composition, particularly Olsenella and its several species were positively correlated with anti-inflammatory responses. These findings demonstrate that rumen-protected taurine supplementation at 0.4% can effectively alleviate heat stress by improving physiological resilience, immune balance, and gut health in sheep. This research provides a scientific basis for developing nutritional strategies to enhance animal welfare and productivity under climate stress conditions.