Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41918033›Full record

ReviewJournal of animal science and biotechnology2026

Revisiting starch degradability in dairy ruminants: from feed processing to gut microbiota and metabolic regulation.

Qingyan Yin, Shengru Wu, Xinjian Lei, Jun Zhang, Dangdang Wang, Xinwei Li, Junhu Yao

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of animal science and biotechnology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Qingyan Yin *State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, P. R. China.
Shengru Wu *College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, P. R. China.
Xinjian LeiCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, P. R. China.
Jun ZhangCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, P. R. China.
Dangdang WangCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, P. R. China.
Xinwei LiState Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, P. R. China. lixinwei100@jlu.edu.cn.
Junhu YaoCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, P. R. China. yaojunhu2004@sohu.com.

Funding

China Postdoctoral Science Foundation General 2025M783041General Project of the Natural Science Foundation of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 2025JH-ZRKX-0639National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy 2024-KFKT-011National Natural Science Foundation of China 3250190797
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Starch serves as the primary energy source for high-producing dairy ruminants, which include both dairy cows and dairy goats. Optimizing starch digestion is crucial for ensuring high milk production and maintaining animal health. This narrative review summarizes and discusses recent findings concerning the degradability of starch in these species. Dietary starch is classified into three distinct types based on the basis of its degradation characteristics: rumen degradable starch (RDS), which ferments in the rumen; rumen escape starch (RES), which is subsequently digested in the small intestine; and resistant starch (RS), which resists complete digestion and enters the large intestine. This review systematically links feed processing methods, which directly influence starch structure, to their subsequent effects on the gut microbiota composition and host metabolic regulation. Three key insights emerge from this synthesis of literature. First, processing techniques such as steam-flaking critically alter the ratio among the three starch types, thereby shifting the effective site of digestion. Second, the optimal application of RDS differs significantly between dairy cows and dairy goats, primarily because these species exhibit distinct digestive physiologies. Nutritionists must carefully account for these species-specific differences to effectively prevent metabolic disorders. Third, the primary site of starch digestion significantly reshaped the gut microbiota profile. While a proper balance supports beneficial bacteria, excessive RS reduces energy efficiency, whereas an overload of RDS can readily lead to severe rumen acidosis. Therefore, balancing the proportions of RDS, RES, and RS is vital for helping animals effectively manage the elevated energy demands experienced during peak lactation. Future research must focus on developing precise starch management strategies tailored to the specific needs of various ruminant species.

Indexed as

Degradation sitesEnergy efficiencyFeed processingRuminantsStarch

Identifiers

PMID41918033
PMCPMC13041029

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.