Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (1): 30-45.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2026.01.004

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Biological Characteristics of Enterococcus faecalis and Its Application in Animal Husbandry

TIAN Ziqi1,2(), TU Yan1, JIANG Linshu2, BI Yanliang1()   

  1. 1.Beijing Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Nutrition,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology,Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs,Institute of Feed Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Beijing 100081,China
    2.College of Animal Science and Technology,Beijing University of Agriculture,Beijing 102206,China
  • Received:2024-12-30 Online:2026-01-23 Published:2026-01-26
  • Contact: BI Yanliang E-mail:1847378700@qq.com;biyanliang@caas.cn

Abstract:

Antibiotics once played an essential role in the process of China’s livestock industry. With the continuous increase in people’s attention to food safety and ecological environment issues, the adverse effects of antibiotic abuse have gradually become prominent. China’s feed industry has ushered in an era of a complete ban on antibiotics, and the livestock industry is facing significant challenges. Probiotics, as feed additive with great potential, can affect the composition of the intestinal flora after being ingested by animals, improve the intestinal barrier and regulate the immune response, showing unique advantages and value. It is expected to replace antibiotics and play a role in the livestock industry. Enterococcus faecalis, as a member of the lactic acid bacteria group, can be used as a feed additive and has attracted much attention. Enterococcus faecalis has relatively strong resistance to the environment, and its biological characteristics determine whether it can reach the host’s intestinal tract with a certain number of viable bacteria, and then determine whether this bacterium can be widely used in the livestock industry. As an active microorganism beneficial to the host, Enterococcus faecalis can regulate the balance of the body’s intestinal flora, enhance the function of the intestinal epithelial barrier, promote the metabolism of nutrients, and enhance the body's immunity. There is an increasing number of studies on the impact of Enterococcus faecalis on livestock and poultry. It has shown positive effects such as improving production performance, reducing the incidence of diarrhea and mortality, and enhancing the immune system in various livestock and poultry, including pigs, cattle, sheep, and chickens. This bacterium can optimize the digestive function of livestock and poultry, improve feed efficiency, and thus increase the economic benefits of farms. Its application range in the livestock industry is also constantly expanding. This article focuses on Enterococcus faecalis, summarizes its application in livestock and poultry in recent years, and reviews its biological characteristics, mechanisms of action, applications in the livestock and poultry industry, and the existing problems of Enterococcus faecalis. The aim is to provide a new insights from previous research about this bacterium and its impact in the livestock and poultry industry.

Key words: Enterococcus faecalis, biological characteristics, animal husbandry, feed additives

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