Scientists discovered a special type of bacteria called Enterococcus faecalis in healthy sheep that could help animals stay healthy without antibiotics. They tested this bacteria in the lab and in goats to see if it was safe and actually worked. The bacteria survived stomach acid, fought off harmful germs, and improved the animals’ blood health and gut bacteria balance. This discovery is important because farms around the world are trying to use fewer antibiotics, and this natural bacteria might be a safer alternative to keep livestock healthy.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can a specific type of bacteria found in healthy sheep be used as a natural probiotic to keep farm animals healthy without antibiotics?
  • Who participated: Researchers collected samples from 151 healthy lambs and then tested the most promising bacteria in goats to see if it actually worked.
  • Key finding: One special bacteria strain (called L118) survived stomach acid, didn’t harm animals, and actually improved goats’ blood health and gut bacteria when given as a supplement.
  • What it means for you: If you raise livestock, this research suggests a natural alternative to antibiotics may be possible, though more testing in real farm conditions is still needed before it becomes widely available.

The Research Details

Scientists started by collecting poop samples from 151 healthy lambs to find naturally occurring bacteria. They grew these bacteria in special lab dishes and identified which ones were the right type using genetic testing. They then tested each bacteria strain to see which ones were safest and most effective. The winning bacteria (L118) was tested further in the lab to check if it could survive stomach acid, if it was safe, and if it could fight off bad bacteria. Finally, they gave this bacteria to goats as a feed supplement to see if it actually improved their health in real conditions.

This approach is smart because it starts with nature—looking at what bacteria already exist in healthy animals—rather than creating something completely new in a lab. By testing in both lab conditions and live animals, the researchers could see if the bacteria worked in theory and in practice.

This research method is important because farms need real alternatives to antibiotics as bacteria become resistant to these drugs. By finding bacteria that naturally occur in healthy animals, scientists can develop safer, more natural solutions. Testing in actual animals (goats) rather than just in lab dishes shows whether the bacteria really works when animals eat it.

The study is solid because it used proper scientific methods to identify bacteria and test safety. The researchers checked multiple important features—survival in stomach acid, resistance to harmful bacteria, and actual health improvements in animals. However, the study was done in a controlled setting with goats, so results might differ in real farm environments with different conditions and animal types.

What the Results Show

Out of 151 bacteria strains tested, researchers found one special strain (L118) that had all the right qualities. This bacteria could survive the harsh acid in stomachs (at pH 3.0, which is very acidic) and also survive in the intestines. It didn’t produce harmful toxins that could damage animal tissues, and it was sensitive to common antibiotics like penicillin and vancomycin, meaning it wouldn’t create antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

When given to goats, the L118 bacteria improved their health in measurable ways. The goats had higher red blood cell counts and more hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen in blood). Their bodies also produced more of a protective substance called glutathione peroxidase, which helps fight damage from harmful molecules. Most importantly, the bacteria increased the amount of beneficial lactobacillus bacteria in the goats’ intestines, which is exactly what you want for good gut health.

The bacteria also showed it could stick to surfaces well (high hydrophobicity), which helps it stay in the gut where it’s needed. It could clump together with harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus, essentially trapping them so they can’t cause infection. Additionally, the bacteria produced enzymes that help break down plant material (cellulase and amylase), which could help animals digest their food better.

This research builds on the growing understanding that probiotics can replace some uses of antibiotics in animal farming. Previous studies have shown that probiotics can improve gut health, but finding safe, naturally occurring strains is challenging. This study adds to that knowledge by identifying a specific strain that appears to work well in sheep and goats, suggesting it might work across different livestock species.

The study was relatively small and only tested the bacteria in goats, not in the original sheep where it was found. Real farm conditions are messier than lab conditions—different feed, stress levels, and diseases could affect how well the bacteria works. The researchers didn’t test it for a very long time, so we don’t know about long-term effects. Also, this was one research group’s work, so other scientists need to repeat the study to confirm the results are reliable.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, E. faecalis L118 appears promising as a natural feed additive for livestock, with moderate confidence. However, it’s not ready for widespread use yet. More testing in real farm settings with different animal species and conditions is needed before farmers should switch from current practices. If you’re involved in livestock farming, stay informed about probiotic developments, but don’t make changes based on this single study alone.

Livestock farmers and the animal agriculture industry should pay attention to this research as a potential tool for reducing antibiotic use. Veterinarians and animal nutritionists should follow up on this work. Pet owners might eventually benefit if similar bacteria are developed for companion animals. People concerned about antibiotic resistance in food production should find this encouraging. However, this research is too early-stage for individual consumers to make any changes based on it.

If this bacteria becomes available as a commercial product, farmers would likely see improvements in animal blood health and gut bacteria within weeks of starting supplementation. However, broader benefits like disease resistance might take longer to measure. Full development and approval for commercial use could take several years of additional testing.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you manage livestock, track antibiotic usage monthly and monitor animal health markers like feed conversion rate and disease incidents. Once probiotics become available, compare these metrics before and after implementation.
  • For farmers: Research probiotic feed additives currently available and consult with a veterinarian about whether they might benefit your operation. For consumers: Support farms that are reducing antibiotic use and ask about their practices when purchasing animal products.
  • Establish a baseline of current animal health and antibiotic use. If you implement probiotics, measure changes in animal weight gain, feed efficiency, disease rates, and overall herd health quarterly. Keep detailed records to share with your veterinarian.

This research describes laboratory and animal testing of a potential probiotic bacteria. The findings are preliminary and have not yet been tested in commercial farm settings or approved for use as a feed additive in most countries. Farmers should not change their current practices based on this single study. Always consult with a veterinarian before making changes to animal health protocols or feed supplements. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional veterinary advice. The bacteria’s effectiveness and safety in different animal species, ages, and farm conditions remains to be determined through additional research.