Cottonseed (CS) is a readily available resource in the southeast of the United States and has been used by farmers for decades to supplement their livestock. Nevertheless, there is conflicting evidence about the negative or positive effects this resource can have on their animals. At the same time, the secondary metabolites (SM) contained in some plants have been suggested as a natural way to control gastrointestinal parasites in ruminants and to limit the worldwide rising problem of anthelmintic resistance sustainably. Gossypol is an SM in CS. This study aimed to explore in depth the possible beneficial and negative effects of this compound on an artificial parasite infection, the rumen microbiome, growth, and metabolism of meat goats. The supplementation of female meat goats with CS did not affect the growth of the animals or their parasitic infection, but did negatively affect their liver weights, and reduced the effect of parasitism on the rumen microbiota.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.