Poultry Science最新文献

{"title":"Gelsemium elegans extract powder alleviates high stocking density-related adverse effects in broilers via immune-intestinal microbiota synergistic mechanisms","authors":"Xiao-qing Xu ,&nbsp;Yi-rong Wang ,&nbsp;Dan-dan Guo ,&nbsp;Yu-qing Zhou ,&nbsp;Jiang-yu Long ,&nbsp;Zhao-Ying Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106511","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106511","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to investigate the effects of different doses of <em>Gelsemium elegans</em> extract powder (GEE) on broilers under high stocking density (HSD). A total of 78 one-day-old male yellow-feathered broilers were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups: normal stocking density (NSD), HSD, HSD + 0.06% GEE, HSD + 0.12% GEE, and HSD + 0.6% GEE. The results showed that HSD impaired broiler growth and physiological functions. Dietary supplementation with 0.06% GEE (200 mg/kg diet <em>Gelsemium elegans</em> extract) significantly improved growth performance (marked increases in body weight, average daily feed intake, and average daily gain), reversed immune organ inhibition (evidenced by significantly increased weight and index of the spleen and bursa of Fabricius), reduced serum corticosterone levels, repaired intestinal structural damage, and corrected intestinal flora imbalance (with a decreased <em>Firmicutes</em>/<em>Bacteroidetes</em> ratio) (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). However, medium and high doses of GEE (0.12% and 0.6%, 400 and 2000 mg/kg diet <em>Gelsemium elegans</em> extract) inhibited broiler growth by inducing abnormal expression of myostatin. Therefore, 0.06% GEE (200 mg/kg diet <em>Gelsemium elegans</em> extract) was identified as an effective and safe dose under the current experimental conditions. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 0.06% GEE (200 mg/kg diet <em>Gelsemium elegans</em> extract) can effectively improve broiler growth performance and physiological functions under HSD, and its mechanism involves reducing serum corticosterone levels, enhancing immune function, repairing intestinal morphological damage, and correcting intestinal flora imbalance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106511"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080438","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Three alternative promoters govern PGC-1α expression in chicken and are directly repressed by PPARγ","authors":"Jiaxin Huang ,&nbsp;Fang Mu ,&nbsp;Ming Lou ,&nbsp;Fan Gao ,&nbsp;Bolin Ning ,&nbsp;Haoyu Luo ,&nbsp;Xiaohong Yan ,&nbsp;Yang Jing ,&nbsp;Ning Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106481","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106481","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (<strong>PGC-1α</strong>) is a key transcriptional coactivator that orchestrates diverse physiological and pathological processes by interacting with factors such as PPARγ, PPARα, and NRFs. While extensively characterized in mammals, <em>PGC-1α</em> gene structure and regulation remain unexplored in chickens. Here, using 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends (<strong>5′ RACE</strong>), we identified three distinct first exons in chicken <em>PGC-1α</em> gene, indicative of three alternative promoters (P1, P2, and P3). Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed that all three alternative promoter regions displayed robust activity, exhibiting approximately 27.8-, 3.9-, and 6.0-fold higher reporter activity compared to the promoterless pGL3-Basic control vector, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis identified PPAR response elements (<strong>PPREs</strong>) in each promoter. Functionally, overexpression of either PPARγ1 or PPARγ2 inhibited luciferase activity from all three promoters and reduced endogenous expression of the corresponding transcript isoforms (<em>cPGC-1α1, cPGC-1α2</em>, and <em>cPGC-1α3</em>). Conversely, PPARγ knockdown enhanced the expression of all three isoforms in ICP2 cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (<strong>ChIP</strong>) assays confirmed PPARγ binding to all three promoter regions in vivo in chicken abdominal adipose tissue. Tissue expression profiling revealed distinct expression patterns for <em>cPGC-1α</em> isoforms. Importantly, an inverse correlation was observed between the expression levels of these isoforms and <em>PPARγ</em> in the adipose tissue of Northeast Agricultural University broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content (<strong>NEAUHLF</strong>). Collectively, our findings establish that chicken <em>PGC-1α</em> transcription is governed by three alternative promoters, all of which are negatively regulated by PPARγ.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106481"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A meta-analysis of broiler chicken meat quality: Comparative evidence of halal slaughter and electrical stunning","authors":"Utibe Mfon Okon ,&nbsp;Muhammad Nizam Hayat ,&nbsp;Emmanuel Nuamah ,&nbsp;Mohd Amran Mohd Radzi ,&nbsp;Azalea Hani Othman ,&nbsp;Awis Qurni Sazili","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106518","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106518","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pre-slaughter handling and slaughter practices are crucial in determining broiler chicken meat’s quality and market value. Despite the widespread adoption of stunning in commercial poultry production, its influence on meat quality remains contentious, particularly from the perspective of consumer preference and halal compliance. This meta-analysis quantitatively evaluated the effects of electrical stunning and halal slaughter on the meat quality of broiler chickens. Studies published between 2010 and 2024 were systematically searched across five databases. Eight of the 1,018 identified studies met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to meta-analysis. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and corresponding 95% CI were calculated using a random effects model. Detected heterogeneity was assessed by subgroup and meta-regression analyses. The meta-analysis revealed that electrical stunning significantly improved early pH (≤4 h), ultimate pH (24 h), water holding capacity (WHC), yellowness, and fat content, while halal slaughter resulted in higher redness. Among strains, Cobb 500 showed greater responsiveness in early pH, WHC, and yellowness, suggesting genetic influence on stunning tolerance. Water bath electrical stunning (WBES) significantly increased early pH, indicating more stable postmortem metabolism. Lower electrical current intensity significantly increased early pH, ultimate pH, and yellowness of broiler breast muscle. Furthermore, longer stunning durations were positively correlated with higher early pH (Estimate = 1.5959; R² = 82.65), and fat content (Estimate = 0.6284; R² = 91.73), but decreased redness (Estimate = -0.2871; R² = 30.74). Slaughter age explained all between-study variation observed in yellowness (Estimate = 0.1581; R² = 100%), with older birds producing more yellowish meat due to increased fat deposition. In summary, electrical stunning effectively enhanced key meat quality traits in broiler breast muscle; however, its impact is moderated by strain, stunning method, electrical current intensity, slaughter age, and stunning duration. This provides useful guidance on the application of electrical stunning on commercial broiler chickens for improved meat quality and increased consumer acceptability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106518"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080529","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Regulation of skeletal muscle development and metabolism in broiler chickens by Urolithin A through threonine kinase 1 pathway activation","authors":"Liuting Wu ,&nbsp;Leilei Peng ,&nbsp;Xiaoling Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106502","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106502","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Broiler skeletal muscle dysplasia is characterized by impaired muscle fiber hypertrophy and satellite cell dysfunction, leading to reduced meat yield and increased feed conversion rates, resulting in significant economic losses. With the impending global ban on β-adrenergic agonists, developing effective natural alternative treatments is an urgent requirement. Urolithin A (UA), a tannic acid metabolite derived from the gut microbiota, promotes muscle synthetic metabolism in mammals; however, its underlying mechanism in poultry remains unclear. We integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and primary chicken skeletal muscle satellite cell (SMSC) culture experiments. A network pharmacology analysis identified threonine kinase1 (Akt1) as a key core target regulated by UA in muscle dysplasia. Further, KEGG enrichment analysis revealed differential clustering in the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)–Akt1, forkhead box protein O1, and mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling pathways. Molecular docking revealed that UA stably binds to the Akt1 protein (Binding energy: -7.7 kcal/mol), stabilized by hydrophobic interactions with Val164 and Met281. The key binding site for UA exhibits high conservation (96% homology) between mammalian and avian species. The 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation confirmed the stability of the complex. These findings indicate that the Akt1 pathway is closely associated with the protective role of uric acid in broiler muscle dysplasia. Primary skeletal muscle satellite cell experiments demonstrated that during SMSC proliferation, 50 μM UA upregulates mRNA levels of <em>Akt1, mTORC1</em>, and <em>forkhead box O1</em>, while enhancing the expression of myogenic differentiation 1 and myogenin during both proliferation and differentiation (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). In addition, Akt1 and phosphorylated Akt1 protein levels upregulated (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), confirming pathway activation. 50 μM UA regulates glucose metabolism by upregulating (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) and downregulating (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (proliferation/differentiation) mRNA levels and fructose-6-phosphate kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (differentiation) mRNA levels, respectively, thereby optimizing glycolysis-oxidation balance. Our research shows that UA influences skeletal muscle satellite cells proliferation and differentiation through the Akt1 pathway and alters glucose metabolism at different stages. As a natural, residue-free compound, it holds promise for enhancing skeletal muscle growth in broilers, supporting the shift towards antibiotic-free poultry. Further animal studies are needed to confirm these in vitro results.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106502"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Research note: Application and validation of RP-HPLC for quantifying ovomucoid, lysozyme, ovotransferrin, and ovalbumin in commercial pasteurized egg white","authors":"Ingrid Sousa,&nbsp;Elena Visentin,&nbsp;Silvia Sabbadin,&nbsp;Marta Pozza,&nbsp;Marco Birolo,&nbsp;Massimo De Marchi,&nbsp;Giovanni Niero","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106519","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106519","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pasteurized egg white is widely used in the food industry for its high microbiological safety, ease of handling, and versatile technological properties. However, heat-induced protein denaturation during pasteurization can affect its foaming, gelling, and emulsifying functionality. The present study aimed to validate a reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous quantification of four major egg white proteins in commercial pasteurized samples, including ovomucoid, lysozyme, ovotransferrin, and ovalbumin. Ten cartons of commercial pasteurized egg white from different brands underwent chromatographic testing, with multiple aliquots analyzed over five consecutive days. The method demonstrated excellent repeatability and reproducibility across all proteins, with ovotransferrin and ovalbumin showing the best performances. Recovery rates ranged from 90.67% for lysozyme to 114.10% for ovomucoid, both at the medium spiking level. Method linearity was assessed using ten serial dilutions of pasteurized egg white in water (1:20 to 1:100). Linear regression of peak areas versus nominal protein concentrations yielded correlation coefficients above 0.99 for all target proteins, confirming a strong proportional response. Concentration of ovomucoid, lysozyme, ovotransferrin, and ovalbumin averaged 15.23, 2.23, 13.50, and 71.80 mg/mL (respectively), which suggests minimal impact of pasteurization on the egg white protein composition. The chromatographic method validated in the present study provides a reliable and practical tool for both research and industrial applications, enabling accurate monitoring of protein composition in commercial pasteurized egg white.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106519"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synergistic effects of oral inoculation with recombinant Lactobacillus plantarum NC8 Co-expressing interleukin-2, interleukin-17b and interleukin-26 on infectious bronchitis vaccination in chickens","authors":"Junjie Peng ,&nbsp;Shaohua Guo ,&nbsp;Yanyan Liu ,&nbsp;Weiwei Hao ,&nbsp;Xin Yang ,&nbsp;Shanshan Zhu ,&nbsp;Rong Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106551","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106551","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vaccination against Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) stands as a proven, effective approach for significantly curtailing chicken mortality rates in the poultry sector. Recent extensive research has thoroughly explored this area. Our study validates that a specifically engineered Lactobacillus plantarum NC8 strain, capable of co-producing a fusion protein encompassing chicken interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-17B, and IL-26 (termed NC8-ChIL2/17B/26), amplifies the comprehensive immune response elicited by the IBV vaccine. We assessed its immune-enhancing potential by orally co-administering it with the IBV vaccine to healthy chickens. Following this, we employed ELISA to gauge IBV-specific IgG, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels in the serum. Likewise, we measured secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels in the bronchia and intestines. Flow cytometry was utilized to evaluate CD4⁺/8⁺ lymphocyte ratios, while quantitative PCR determined the expression of specific immune-regulating genes. The findings revealed that the NC8-ChIL2/17B/26 group demonstrated elevated levels of pertinent cytokines, antibodies, and CD4⁺/8⁺ T cells relative to the control groups. Moreover, genes such as Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, TLR7, IL-1β, IL-22, TGF-β, and B-cell lymphoma (BCL)-6 exhibited significantly higher expression in the NC8-ChIL2/17B/26 cohort. Additionally, viral loads in the vaccinated groups were markedly lower compared to those in the control groups, underscoring the better protective efficacy against the potent IBV strain. In essence, our research indicates that oral administration of NC8-ChIL2/17B/26 augments the overall immune response to the IBV vaccine in chickens, positioning it as a secure and efficacious adjuvant for chicken IBV vaccines.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106551"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146114015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cecal microbiota and Clostridium perfringens in broilers fed barley-based diets: Effects of enzyme supplementation and degree of grinding","authors":"Eva Lena Estensmo ,&nbsp;Camilla Sekse ,&nbsp;Franciska S. Steinhoff ,&nbsp;Kari Ljøkjel ,&nbsp;Khaled Itani ,&nbsp;Muhammad Ahmad ,&nbsp;Cathrine Arnason Bøe ,&nbsp;Siri Kulberg Sjurseth ,&nbsp;Silje Granstad","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106543","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106543","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Barley has been proposed as a promising and more sustainable alternative to common cereals in poultry diets. However, the use of barley in poultry diets has historically been limited, mainly due to observed negative impact on gastrointestinal health and performance. In this study, we explored the potential of incorporating barley into broiler diets, focusing on effects on <em>Clostridium perfringens</em>, the causative agent of necrotic enteritis in poultry, and the cecal microbiota. The study included four diets containing 54% barley, with or without the addition of non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzyme (NSPase), and one control diet without barley. The main ingredients were ground to either a fine or coarse particle size. Low <em>C. perfringens</em> levels were maintained in the intestines of broilers fed barley-based diets, suggesting that barley did not predispose to necrotic enteritis in this study. Broilers fed the coarse barley-based diet with NSPase exhibited the lowest abundance of <em>Lactobacillus</em> and the highest abundance of <em>Faecalibacterium</em>, and their cecal microbiota resembled that of the group fed the control diet. In contrast, broilers fed the coarse barley-based diet without NSPase exhibited the highest abundance of <em>Lactobacillus</em> among all groups in this study, along with a lower abundance of <em>Faecalibacterium</em>. Among the groups that received diets with finely ground barley, regardless of NSPase supplementation, there was no clear shift in the abundance of the two bacterial genera. These observations suggest that feed particle size and NSPase supplementation influence the composition of the cecal microbiota in broilers fed barley-based diets, and that these factors could be utilized as tools to mitigate undesirable health effects associated with the inclusion of barley in poultry diets. The findings of this study highlight the potential of including increased levels of barley in broiler diets without compromising health or performance. Further studies are warranted to explore the effects of similar inclusion levels of different barley varieties on gastrointestinal health and microbiota under varied environmental conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106543"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146126400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrative GWAS and RNA-seq identify MYL9 as a key regulator of pullorum disease resistance in chickens","authors":"Jiongwen Wu ,&nbsp;Zhexia Fan ,&nbsp;Xiaohuan Chao ,&nbsp;Weiming Liang ,&nbsp;Ruina Li ,&nbsp;Shuya Chen ,&nbsp;Cheng Fang ,&nbsp;Qingbin Luo","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106544","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106544","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pullorum disease, caused by <em>Salmonella Pullorum</em>, is a significant avian disease that poses a serious threat to poultry health. To elucidate the host immune response characteristics and key regulatory gene mechanisms during infection, this study investigated 2,100 White Plymouth Rock hens at 100 days of age. A rapid plate agglutination (<strong>RPA</strong>) test was conducted for screening, identifying 175 individuals as strongly positive and 42 as weakly positive. Immune factor levels in peripheral blood were measured in 375 birds, revealing that the expression levels of IgG, IL-6, and IL-8 were significantly higher in the positive group than in the negative group, indicating that <em>Salmonella Pullorum</em> infection induces the release of immune factors.Whole-genome resequencing (<strong>WGS</strong>) of the 375 samples identified 72 SNPs significantly associated with the agglutination phenotype through genome-wide association study (GWAS), and 289 candidate genes were screened. Transcription sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis identified 536 differential expressed genes (<strong>DEGs</strong>), which were enriched in pathways related to Salmonella infection, calcium signaling, and immune responses. Integrated analysis of the GWAS and RNA-seq results revealed five overlapping genes: MYL9, SYT1, KLHL38, C11orf87, and KCNH4. Among them, MYL9 was enriched in the Salmonella infection pathway and occupied a central node in the protein–protein interaction (<strong>PPI</strong>) network. Functional validation of MYL9 in HD11 cells showed that <em>MYL9</em> significantly promoted the expression of IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, IFN-α, IFN-β, and TNF-α, and increased the protein levels of IFN-α, TNF-α, and IgG in HD11 cells. It indicates that <em>MYL9</em> plays a role in <em>Salmonella Pullorum</em> by upregulating immune factors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106544"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146166457","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Body weight of 35-day-old broilers is associated with proximal small intestinal inflammatory and oxidative pathways – A multi-omics study","authors":"Samuel C.G. Jansseune ,&nbsp;Wouter H. Hendriks","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106463","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106463","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A major growth performance trait of modern-day broiler chickens is the ability to attain a high body weight (<strong>BW</strong>) within a short time. Here we identified parameters or factors significant associated with higher broiler BW using data on tissue (blood, jejunum, ileum and caecal tonsil) transcriptome, ileal and caecal digesta microbiota and metabolome, and blood biochemical and immune parameters. The data originated from 35-day-old Ross 308 male broilers reared under practical housing conditions and fed a non-starch polysaccharide-rich diet supplemented with either a probiotic or a postbiotic, including or not their carriers. Omics data were available for 72 broilers which were a subset of the 160 birds for which blood biochemical and immune parameters were available. The distribution of the BW did not significantly deviate from normality within the treatment groups and overall. Among all datasets, the jejunal tissue transcriptome was most associated with differences in broiler BW. Notably, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (<strong>KEGG</strong>) pathways associated with inflammatory response were significantly (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05) enriched in broilers with a low BW (e.g. Toll- and NOD-like signaling, phagosome, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and cytosolic DNA sensing pathways) while gene ontology (<strong>GO</strong>) pathways associated with a response to toxic substances and anti-oxidative defenses were enriched in birds with high BW. In caecal tonsil tissue, broilers with a higher BW had pathways related to the immune response enriched (KEGG: cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction; GO: immune system process and response) with minor changes observed in their microbiota. Broiler BW was mainly associated with the tissue transcriptome, especially jejunum. In broilers with a higher BW, decreased expression of inflammation and increased expression anti-oxidative defense pathways were observed in jejunal tissue, while the caecal tonsil tissue showed a higher expression of immune pathways. Reducing inflammation and increasing anti-oxidative defenses in the proximal small intestine of broilers may provide future targets for improved broiler growth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106463"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Milled and cryogenic micronised wheat bran inclusions stimulate fibre degradation and fermentation differently throughout the broiler’s gastrointestinal tract","authors":"Paulien Vanderghinste ,&nbsp;An Bautil ,&nbsp;Steven J. Simmonds ,&nbsp;Michael R. Bedford ,&nbsp;Gemma González-Ortiz ,&nbsp;Christophe M. Courtin","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106461","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106461","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Inclusion of fibre fractions in broiler feed can increase microbial short-chain fatty acid (<strong>SCFA</strong>) production upon fermentation, enhancing gut health and performance. The main site of fermentation is the caeca, and extensive particle size reduction of fibre fractions (&lt; 100 µm) may increase their fermentability and influx into the caeca, extending the associated benefits. Coarser fibre fractions (&gt; 400 µm) improve fermentation parameters as well, but are expected to act in the foregut (precaecal) as they seem too large to pass through the restricted caecal entrance. The mechanism behind the effect of different fibre particle sizes and their inclusion level on fibre degradation and fermentation is not yet fully understood. The role of fibre particle size along the gastrointestinal tract (<strong>GIT</strong>) and the possible increase of their effect with increasing inclusion level was studied by comparing 0.2% (<strong>L02</strong>) and 2% (<strong>L2</strong>) inclusion of coarse milled (452 µm, <strong>WB452</strong>) and cryogenically milled (27 µm, <strong>WB27</strong>) wheat bran in male Ross 308 broilers (570, d 1 to d 37) using a 2 × 2 factorial design. GIT parts, digesta and plasma samples were collected to measure GIT development, fibre degradation and fermentation, and gut health at d 10 and d 37. WB452 increased precaecal fibre degradation and fermentation through gizzard stimulation based on the decrease in gizzard pH and increase in ileal arabinoxylan digestion and ileal butyric acid content at d 37. Both bran sizes tended to increase the relative abundance of different SCFA-producing bacterial groups in the caeca at d 10, although this was not related to differences in caecal SCFA content. Inclusion level L02 had a stronger positive effect on caecal functioning and gut health through improving caecal lobe weight, rhamnose content and microbial composition and decreasing plasma <span>d</span>-lactate levels compared to L2. These results suggest that both fine and coarse fibre inclusions, particularly at a low inclusion level, can stimulate fibre fermentation through different mechanisms, highly depending on the GIT section and broiler age.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106461"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}