Chun-Ling Guo, Lin-Yue Zhou, Shun-Yi Ji, Han-Jia Zhang, Zhi-Rui Ren, Xiao Tang, Hao Dong, Qing-Feng Meng
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are an encouraging probiotic option to antibiotics in treating typical bovine diseases, including but not limited to, mastitis, inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, and endometritis. The review discusses the therapeutic mechanisms of LAB in a systematic manner including competitive exclusion of pathogens, synthesis of antimicrobial products such as organic acids, bacteriocins, and short-chain fatty acids, recovery of mucosal barrier integrity by regulating tight junctions, and suppression of pro-inflammatory pathways, such as NF-κB and MAPK, to modulate the host immune response. All these mechanisms lower the inflammation, improve the condition of the gut and mammary glands and increase the level of productivity. LAB are an effective and long-term solution to decrease the consumption of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. This review will form a theoretical basis of introducing LAB into veterinary practice and promote sustainable animal husbandry.