Health and Productivity Benefits of Probiotic Bacteria Originating from Cattle

Abstract

For many years, antibiotics have been widely used in animal husbandry to enhance production efficiency and maintain animal health. Since the 1950s, antibiotics have particularly been used as growth promoters; however, this practice has led to global health concerns such as the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Consequently, the search for more natural and safer alternatives to antibiotics has accelerated. In this context, probiotics—defined as live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host—have emerged as promising biological agents.

Probiotic bacteria of bovine origin, owing to their host-specific adaptations, help maintain gastrointestinal microbiota balance, limit pathogen colonization, and modulate the immune system, thereby exerting positive effects on overall health. Various studies have demonstrated that these bacteria can also improve performance parameters such as feed efficiency, milk yield, and meat production. Microorganisms of bovine origin such as Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Bifidobacterium, and Bacillus have shown beneficial effects on growth performance, digestive health, stress tolerance, and immune responses—shaping the future role of probiotic-based livestock practices. This review aims to explore the mechanisms of action of bovine-derived probiotic bacteria, their regulatory roles on gastrointestinal microbiota, their immunomodulatory properties, and scientific evidence regarding their effects on health and productivity. In addition, it comprehensively evaluates current applications and future perspectives of bovine probiotics in line with global strategies to reduce antibiotic use.