Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2026.106495
Xiaoling Yang , Xiaoxia Long , Yongxian Yang , Liqi Wang , Zhong Wang
Although many studies have examined the relationship between host genetics and serum metabolites, it is still unclear to what extent host genetic variation contributes to growth-related serum metabolic patterns in chickens. To address this issue, we performed whole-genome resequencing, transcriptome sequencing, and untargeted metabolomics analyses on blood samples collected from a population of Chinese local chickens. The results showed that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with growth performance were predominantly mapped the genomic regions of SEC22C, ABCD3, SRGAP2, and CDC42BPA. SEC22C, ABCD3, and SRGAP2 were significantly associated with both body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG), whereas CDC42BPA was significantly associated only with ADG. Comparative analysis of blood transcriptomes between high and low BW recombinant chickens revealed that SEC22C was more strongly associated with the low BW group, while CDC42BPA exhibited significantly higher expression levels in high-weight chickens. Five metabolites, including 1-myristoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate choline, were significantly associated with 45 genes, including SRGAP2, PA2G4, TENM3, MAP2K6, and ADIPOR2. Furthermore, SRGAP2 may regulate the growth of the chickens through 1-myristoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate choline. This study comprehensively elucidates the combined effects of host genetics and serum metabolites on growth traits, providing a robust scientific basis for studying the growth performance of local chickens.
{"title":"Integrated genomics and metabolomics analysis revealed the metabolic mechanisms by which genetic variations affect the growth performance of local chickens","authors":"Xiaoling Yang , Xiaoxia Long , Yongxian Yang , Liqi Wang , Zhong Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106495","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106495","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although many studies have examined the relationship between host genetics and serum metabolites, it is still unclear to what extent host genetic variation contributes to growth-related serum metabolic patterns in chickens. To address this issue, we performed whole-genome resequencing, transcriptome sequencing, and untargeted metabolomics analyses on blood samples collected from a population of Chinese local chickens. The results showed that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (<strong>SNPs</strong>) significantly associated with growth performance were predominantly mapped the genomic regions of <em>SEC22C, ABCD3, SRGAP2</em>, and <em>CDC42BPA. SEC22C, ABCD3</em>, and <em>SRGAP2</em> were significantly associated with both body weight (<strong>BW</strong>) and average daily gain (<strong>ADG</strong>), whereas <em>CDC42BPA</em> was significantly associated only with ADG. Comparative analysis of blood transcriptomes between high and low BW recombinant chickens revealed that <em>SEC22C</em> was more strongly associated with the low BW group, while <em>CDC42BPA</em> exhibited significantly higher expression levels in high-weight chickens. Five metabolites, including 1-myristoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate choline, were significantly associated with 45 genes, including <em>SRGAP2, PA2G4, TENM3, MAP2K6</em>, and <em>ADIPOR2</em>. Furthermore, <em>SRGAP2</em> may regulate the growth of the chickens through 1-myristoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate choline. This study comprehensively elucidates the combined effects of host genetics and serum metabolites on growth traits, providing a robust scientific basis for studying the growth performance of local chickens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106495"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080502","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2026.106499
Zhaobi Ai , Zhonglong Zhao , Xiben Zhang , Runqian Yang , Yong Zhang , Zelin Chen , Weibo Li , Yixing Ou , Lanying Lei , Hongying Ye
To characterize the genetic diversity and evolutionary patterns of four Weining chicken strains from Guizhou Province, China, we generated genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using dd-RAD sequencing. We found that Weining chicken exhibited moderate genetic diversity, with observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.267) lower than expected heterozygosity (He = 0.312) and a positive inbreeding coefficient (FIS ≈ 0.14), indicating some degree of inbreeding across the population. Among strains, HM showed the highest diversity while HT had the lowest. Analyses of population structure, phylogeny, principal component analysis, and admixture consistently revealed weak genetic differentiation (FST < 0.06) and frequent gene flow among strains. Kinship analysis demonstrated mostly low pairwise relatedness, with a minority of individuals exhibiting closer kinship. Selection signature scans identified multiple candidate regions; genes within these regions were significantly enriched for biological processes and pathways related to immune response (e.g., IL-17 signaling) and metabolic regulation (e.g., MAPK signaling), which were consistently highlighted in both GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. These results demonstrate that Weining chicken has moderate genetic diversity, low population differentiation, and evidence of inbreeding and gene flow, with candidate selection signals in immune and metabolic pathways (e.g., IL-17 and MAPK signaling), providing a quantitative basis for conservation and breeding programs.
{"title":"Population genomic analysis of Weining chicken via dd-RAD sequencing: Unraveling diversity, structure, and selective sweeps","authors":"Zhaobi Ai , Zhonglong Zhao , Xiben Zhang , Runqian Yang , Yong Zhang , Zelin Chen , Weibo Li , Yixing Ou , Lanying Lei , Hongying Ye","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106499","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106499","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To characterize the genetic diversity and evolutionary patterns of four Weining chicken strains from Guizhou Province, China, we generated genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using dd-RAD sequencing. We found that Weining chicken exhibited moderate genetic diversity, with observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.267) lower than expected heterozygosity (He = 0.312) and a positive inbreeding coefficient (FIS ≈ 0.14), indicating some degree of inbreeding across the population. Among strains, HM showed the highest diversity while HT had the lowest. Analyses of population structure, phylogeny, principal component analysis, and admixture consistently revealed weak genetic differentiation (FST < 0.06) and frequent gene flow among strains. Kinship analysis demonstrated mostly low pairwise relatedness, with a minority of individuals exhibiting closer kinship. Selection signature scans identified multiple candidate regions; genes within these regions were significantly enriched for biological processes and pathways related to immune response (e.g., IL-17 signaling) and metabolic regulation (e.g., MAPK signaling), which were consistently highlighted in both GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. These results demonstrate that Weining chicken has moderate genetic diversity, low population differentiation, and evidence of inbreeding and gene flow, with candidate selection signals in immune and metabolic pathways (e.g., IL-17 and MAPK signaling), providing a quantitative basis for conservation and breeding programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106499"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080936","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2026.106511
Xiao-qing Xu , Yi-rong Wang , Dan-dan Guo , Yu-qing Zhou , Jiang-yu Long , Zhao-Ying Liu
This study aimed to investigate the effects of different doses of Gelsemium elegans 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 Gelsemium elegans 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 Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio) (P < 0.05). However, medium and high doses of GEE (0.12% and 0.6%, 400 and 2000 mg/kg diet Gelsemium elegans extract) inhibited broiler growth by inducing abnormal expression of myostatin. Therefore, 0.06% GEE (200 mg/kg diet Gelsemium elegans 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 Gelsemium elegans 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.
{"title":"Gelsemium elegans extract powder alleviates high stocking density-related adverse effects in broilers via immune-intestinal microbiota synergistic mechanisms","authors":"Xiao-qing Xu , Yi-rong Wang , Dan-dan Guo , Yu-qing Zhou , Jiang-yu Long , 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> < 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":"2026-01-23","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2026.106502
Liuting Wu , Leilei Peng , Xiaoling Zhao
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 Akt1, mTORC1, and forkhead box O1, while enhancing the expression of myogenic differentiation 1 and myogenin during both proliferation and differentiation (P < 0.05). In addition, Akt1 and phosphorylated Akt1 protein levels upregulated (P < 0.05), confirming pathway activation. 50 μM UA regulates glucose metabolism by upregulating (P < 0.05) and downregulating (P < 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.
{"title":"Regulation of skeletal muscle development and metabolism in broiler chickens by Urolithin A through threonine kinase 1 pathway activation","authors":"Liuting Wu , Leilei Peng , 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> < 0.05). In addition, Akt1 and phosphorylated Akt1 protein levels upregulated (<em>P</em> < 0.05), confirming pathway activation. 50 μM UA regulates glucose metabolism by upregulating (<em>P</em> < 0.05) and downregulating (<em>P</em> < 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":"2026-01-23","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2026.106512
Cihang Zhang , Usman Nazir , Shi Chen , Zhi Yang , Zhiyue Wang , Haiming Yang
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal inflammation is a major challenge to intensive poultry production, affecting growth and overall health. It necessitates effective dietary strategies to enhance gut resilience and immune functionality. This study evaluated the effect of dietary Bifidobacterium supplementation on growth performance, intestinal health and immune responses in LPS-stressed goslings. A total of 288 one-day-old male Jiangnan white goslings (15–28 days) were allocated to six groups in a 2 × 3 factorial design, with Bifidobacterium doses as (0, 300, 600 mg/kg) with or without LPS challenge (0.5 mg/kg BW via intraperitoneal injection). Key findings revealed that LPS stress significantly reduced the growth performance by reducing average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.01) while enhancing the feed conversion ratio (FCR; P < 0.05). Supplementation with 300 mg/kg Bifidobacterium improved ADG by 16.7%, though 600 mg/kg conferred no incremental benefits. LPS exposure upregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and suppressed anti-inflammatory IL-10 and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px). Bifidobacterium (300 mg/kg) reduced inflammation and enhanced antioxidant capacity, increasing catalase (CAT) activity by 43.3%. Intestinal morphology was compromised by LPS, reducing the villus-to-crypt ratio (VH:CD), while Bifidobacterium improved villus height (9.8% increase at 21 days) and V/C (4.1 at 28 days). In conclusion, 300 mg/kg Bifidobacterium optimally mitigated LPS-induced stress by improving intestinal integrity, reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative damage, and restoring growth hormone axis function, thereby improving growth efficiency. These findings highlight its potential as a cost-effective intervention for enhancing resilience in intensive goose production systems.
{"title":"Bifidobacterium supplementation ameliorates LPS-induced immune stress and intestinal barrier dysfunction in goslings","authors":"Cihang Zhang , Usman Nazir , Shi Chen , Zhi Yang , Zhiyue Wang , Haiming Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106512","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106512","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal inflammation is a major challenge to intensive poultry production, affecting growth and overall health. It necessitates effective dietary strategies to enhance gut resilience and immune functionality. This study evaluated the effect of dietary Bifidobacterium supplementation on growth performance, intestinal health and immune responses in LPS-stressed goslings. A total of 288 one-day-old male Jiangnan white goslings (15–28 days) were allocated to six groups in a 2 × 3 factorial design, with Bifidobacterium doses as (0, 300, 600 mg/kg) with or without LPS challenge (0.5 mg/kg BW via intraperitoneal injection). Key findings revealed that LPS stress significantly reduced the growth performance by reducing average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) (<em>P</em> < 0.01) while enhancing the feed conversion ratio (FCR; <em>P</em> < 0.05). Supplementation with 300 mg/kg Bifidobacterium improved ADG by 16.7%, though 600 mg/kg conferred no incremental benefits. LPS exposure upregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (<em>IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α</em>) and suppressed anti-inflammatory <em>IL-10</em> and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px). Bifidobacterium (300 mg/kg) reduced inflammation and enhanced antioxidant capacity, increasing catalase (CAT) activity by 43.3%. Intestinal morphology was compromised by LPS, reducing the villus-to-crypt ratio (VH:CD), while Bifidobacterium improved villus height (9.8% increase at 21 days) and V/C (4.1 at 28 days). In conclusion, 300 mg/kg Bifidobacterium optimally mitigated LPS-induced stress by improving intestinal integrity, reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative damage, and restoring growth hormone axis function, thereby improving growth efficiency. These findings highlight its potential as a cost-effective intervention for enhancing resilience in intensive goose production systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106512"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080866","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2026.106500
Yong Yue , Shenglin Yang , Papungkorn Sangsawad , Phanthipha Laosam , Yingping Tian , Xu Wang , Muhammad Arif , Fuping Zhang
The effects of Phellinus linteus polysaccharides (PLP) on the immune responses of laying hens remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the impacts of PLP on productive performance, antioxidant status, immune response, cecal microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), jejunal morphology, and metabolism in laying hens challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of 240 Changshun green-shell laying hens were randomly assigned to 4 treatments (6 replicates × 10 hens): CON group (basal diet), PLP group (basal diet + 4.2 g/kg PLP), LPS group (basal diet + 1 mg/kg LPS), and LPS+PLP group (basal diet + 4.2 g/kg PLP + 1 mg/kg LPS). The results demonstrated that LPS challenge significantly reduced laying rate, albumen height, Haugh unit, and yolk total amino acid contents (P < 0.05). Conversely, PLP supplementation increased laying rate, yolk weight, and total essential amino acid content in yolk (P < 0.05). Regardless of LPS challenge, PLP significantly elevated serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and IgA (P < 0.05). LPS decreased hepatic T-AOC and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities (P < 0.05), whereas PLP increased hepatic T-AOC and GSH-Px (P < 0.05). A significant PLP × LPS interaction was observed for serum and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), with PLP reversing LPS-induced MDA accumulation (P < 0.05). We found that PLP markedly reduced hepatic pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10, irrespective of LPS (P < 0.05). Moreover, PLP increased cecal acetate and butyrate concentrations and improved jejunal morphology by increasing villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05), independent of LPS. Microbiota profiling showed that PLP enriched beneficial taxa, including Lactobacillus, Alloprevotella, and Faecalibacterium under LPS challenge and increased Faecalibacterium prausnitzii abundance regardless of LPS (P < 0.05). Metabolomics suggested that PLP modulated arginine and proline metabolism irrespective of LPS, and regulated α-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid metabolism, as well as MAPK and calcium signaling pathways under LPS stimulation. Collectively, PLP may alleviate LPS-induced impairment and support gut-liver health, potentially by enriching SCFA-producing bacteria and enhancing SCFA production, indicating its promise as a functional feed additive to improve overall performance in laying hens.
{"title":"Effects of dietary Phellinus linteus polysaccharides supplementation on productive performance, egg quality, antioxidant status, immune function, cecal microbiota, jejunal morphology, and metabolism in laying hens under lipopolysaccharide challenge","authors":"Yong Yue , Shenglin Yang , Papungkorn Sangsawad , Phanthipha Laosam , Yingping Tian , Xu Wang , Muhammad Arif , Fuping Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106500","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106500","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The effects of <em>Phellinus linteus</em> polysaccharides (PLP) on the immune responses of laying hens remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the impacts of PLP on productive performance, antioxidant status, immune response, cecal microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), jejunal morphology, and metabolism in laying hens challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of 240 Changshun green-shell laying hens were randomly assigned to 4 treatments (6 replicates × 10 hens): CON group (basal diet), PLP group (basal diet + 4.2 g/kg PLP), LPS group (basal diet + 1 mg/kg LPS), and LPS+PLP group (basal diet + 4.2 g/kg PLP + 1 mg/kg LPS). The results demonstrated that LPS challenge significantly reduced laying rate, albumen height, Haugh unit, and yolk total amino acid contents (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Conversely, PLP supplementation increased laying rate, yolk weight, and total essential amino acid content in yolk (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Regardless of LPS challenge, PLP significantly elevated serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and IgA (<em>P</em> < 0.05). LPS decreased hepatic T-AOC and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities (<em>P</em> < 0.05), whereas PLP increased hepatic T-AOC and GSH-Px (<em>P</em> < 0.05). A significant PLP × LPS interaction was observed for serum and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), with PLP reversing LPS-induced MDA accumulation (<em>P</em> < 0.05). We found that PLP markedly reduced hepatic pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10, irrespective of LPS (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Moreover, PLP increased cecal acetate and butyrate concentrations and improved jejunal morphology by increasing villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio (<em>P</em> < 0.05), independent of LPS. Microbiota profiling showed that PLP enriched beneficial taxa, including <em>Lactobacillus, Alloprevotella</em>, and <em>Faecalibacterium</em> under LPS challenge and increased <em>Faecalibacterium prausnitzii</em> abundance regardless of LPS (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Metabolomics suggested that PLP modulated arginine and proline metabolism irrespective of LPS, and regulated α-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid metabolism, as well as MAPK and calcium signaling pathways under LPS stimulation. Collectively, PLP may alleviate LPS-induced impairment and support gut-liver health, potentially by enriching SCFA-producing bacteria and enhancing SCFA production, indicating its promise as a functional feed additive to improve overall performance in laying hens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106500"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080947","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}
Deoxynivalenol (DON), a prevalent mycotoxin contaminating agricultural commodities worldwide, poses substantial risks to both public health and animal production. While recognized as a primary contaminant in chicken feed, the mechanistic basis of its multi-organ toxicity remains incompletely elucidated. This study employed an integrated approach combining network pharmacology, molecular docking, in silico ADME prediction, and in vivo experiments to systematically investigate the common molecular mechanisms underlying DON-induced damage in broilers, focusing on the liver, spleen, breast muscle, and cecum. Bioinformatic analysis identified 20 core target genes, with KEGG enrichment highlighting the MAPK and Rap1 signalling pathways as central regulatory hubs. In vivo results demonstrated that DON exposure significantly compromised growth performance, evident through reduced body weight and organ coefficients. Histopathological and serological analyses confirmed extensive tissue damage: hepatic injury (elevated AST/ALT, structural lesions), immunotoxicity (increased IgA/IgM, splenic abnormalities), myotoxicity (elevated CK/LDH, muscle degeneration), and intestinal inflammation (upregulated IL-1β/TNF-α, villous atrophy). Critically, DON dysregulated the expression of eight key genes within the MAPK/Rap1 axis, upregulating BRAF, CDC42, CSF1R, IKBKB, PDGFRA, and THBS1 while downregulating IGF1R and MAP2K1, along with increased phosphorylated MAPK protein level. Molecular docking simulations further validated strong binding affinities between DON and these core targets. Complementary ADME prediction further supported the physiological plausibility of these interactions, indicating DON's favorable drug-likeness and potential for intracellular target accessibility. Collectively, this work establishes that DON induces coordinated multi-organ toxicity in broilers primarily through regulation of the Rap1/MAPK signalling network, providing a crucial theoretical foundation for developing targeted interventions against DON exposure in (especially poultry) production, food safety and beyond.
{"title":"Mechanisms of deoxynivalenol-induced multi-organ toxicity in broiler chickens: The central role of the Rap1/MAPK pathway revealed by network pharmacology and molecular docking","authors":"Cuicui Zhuang, YongJun Yu, Jiangang Bai, Tianyu Yang, Xinying Zhang, Jinxin He, Shaopeng Gu","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106494","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106494","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Deoxynivalenol (DON), a prevalent mycotoxin contaminating agricultural commodities worldwide, poses substantial risks to both public health and animal production. While recognized as a primary contaminant in chicken feed, the mechanistic basis of its multi-organ toxicity remains incompletely elucidated. This study employed an integrated approach combining network pharmacology, molecular docking, <em>in silico</em> ADME prediction, and <em>in vivo</em> experiments to systematically investigate the common molecular mechanisms underlying DON-induced damage in broilers, focusing on the liver, spleen, breast muscle, and cecum. Bioinformatic analysis identified 20 core target genes, with KEGG enrichment highlighting the MAPK and Rap1 signalling pathways as central regulatory hubs. <em>In vivo</em> results demonstrated that DON exposure significantly compromised growth performance, evident through reduced body weight and organ coefficients. Histopathological and serological analyses confirmed extensive tissue damage: hepatic injury (elevated AST/ALT, structural lesions), immunotoxicity (increased IgA/IgM, splenic abnormalities), myotoxicity (elevated CK/LDH, muscle degeneration), and intestinal inflammation (upregulated IL-1β/TNF-α, villous atrophy). Critically, DON dysregulated the expression of eight key genes within the MAPK/Rap1 axis, upregulating BRAF, CDC42, CSF1R, IKBKB, PDGFRA, and THBS1 while downregulating IGF1R and MAP2K1, along with increased phosphorylated MAPK protein level. Molecular docking simulations further validated strong binding affinities between DON and these core targets. Complementary ADME prediction further supported the physiological plausibility of these interactions, indicating DON's favorable drug-likeness and potential for intracellular target accessibility. Collectively, this work establishes that DON induces coordinated multi-organ toxicity in broilers primarily through regulation of the Rap1/MAPK signalling network, providing a crucial theoretical foundation for developing targeted interventions against DON exposure in (especially poultry) production, food safety and beyond.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106494"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080944","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2026.106497
Jie Liu , Jie Du , Yuyan Feng , Xiaojing Chen , Haiyue Mei , Binbin Guo , Zichun Dai , Huanxi Zhu
The avian hypothalamus regulates reproduction by integrating light signals through deep brain photoreceptors, yet suitable adult in vitro models remain lacking. In this study, we established a functional hypothalamic slice culture system from adult geese. Slices (300 µm thick) remained viable for over one week. Light exposure, particularly 12 h of light stimulation, significantly upregulated the expression of photoreceptors opn5 and opn4, as well as key signaling genes TSH and DIO2. Meanwhile, important reproductive regulatory genes GnRH and GnIH exhibited opposite expression patterns in response to light. These preliminary findings demonstrate that cultured adult avian hypothalamic slices not only retain photosensitivity and express relevant phototransduction and reproduction-related genes, but also undergo changes consistent with in vivo responses upon external light stimulation. In summary, this model promises to serve as an ideal system for studying photoneuroendocrine regulation.
{"title":"Research Note: An in vitro hypothalamic slice culture model from adult geese for investigating light-mediated regulation of avian reproduction","authors":"Jie Liu , Jie Du , Yuyan Feng , Xiaojing Chen , Haiyue Mei , Binbin Guo , Zichun Dai , Huanxi Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106497","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106497","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The avian hypothalamus regulates reproduction by integrating light signals through deep brain photoreceptors, yet suitable adult in vitro models remain lacking. In this study, we established a functional hypothalamic slice culture system from adult geese. Slices (300 µm thick) remained viable for over one week. Light exposure, particularly 12 h of light stimulation, significantly upregulated the expression of photoreceptors <em>opn5</em> and <em>opn4</em>, as well as key signaling genes <em>TSH</em> and <em>DIO2</em>. Meanwhile, important reproductive regulatory genes <em>GnRH</em> and <em>GnIH</em> exhibited opposite expression patterns in response to light. These preliminary findings demonstrate that cultured adult avian hypothalamic slices not only retain photosensitivity and express relevant phototransduction and reproduction-related genes, but also undergo changes consistent with in vivo responses upon external light stimulation. In summary, this model promises to serve as an ideal system for studying photoneuroendocrine regulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106497"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080865","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2026.106498
J.H. Fan , X.J. Li , M.M. Hou , W.W. Cai , X.W. Tong , M. Ren , C.S. Jiang , S.H. Li
Laying performance is a key metric for assessing avian reproductive efficiency. Ovarian tissues from Wanxi White Geese (WWGs) at different laying stages (birth period, laying period, and ceased period) were used in this study as research subjects. mRNA and circRNA expression profiles of ovarian tissues were constructed across various laying phases using transcriptome sequencing technology and bioinformatics approaches. The results revealed a total of 504 differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) (BO vs LO), 369 DEcircRNAs (LO vs CO), and 306 DEcircRNAs (BO vs CO) across different laying stages. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses demonstrated that DEcircRNA target genes were significantly enriched in processes including ovarian granulosa-cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and folliculogenesis. Concurrently, these targets were prominently implicated in phosphoinositide metabolism and played key roles in the GnRH, MAPK, and p53 signaling pathways. The expression of DEGs and proteins in ovarian tissues at different laying periods was detected by qRT-PCR technology and Western blot technology respectively. The results showed that the sequencing results were true and reliable. A ceRNA (circRNA-miRNA-mRNA) network was successfully constructed, and four key ceRNA regulatory axes implicated in ovarian development and steroid hormone synthesis/secretion were identified, namely novel_circ_107999-miR-1 44-y-NR2F2/TGM2, novel_circ_072697-miR-143-x-FMN2, novel_circ_031722-miR-101-x-CASP2/RPN 2, and novel_circ_100886-miR-101-y-PTX3/SEMA3 E/HSD3B1. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed a targeting relationship between the novel_circ_072697-miR-143-x-FMN2 axis. In conclusion, this study system-atically explored the coordinated regulatory mechanisms of DEcircRNAs and their target genes, providing a theoretical foundation for identifying the key genes and molecular mechanisms underlying ovarian development in WWGs across different laying stages. These findings advance our understanding of the biological features of seasonal reproduction in this species and offer valuable insights for enhancing avian reproductive performance.
产蛋性能是衡量禽类繁殖效率的重要指标。本研究以万西白鹅不同产蛋阶段（出生期、产蛋期和停蛋期）的卵巢组织为研究对象。利用转录组测序技术和生物信息学方法构建了不同产蛋期卵巢组织mRNA和circRNA的表达谱。结果显示，在不同的产蛋阶段，共有504个差异表达的环状rna (DEcircRNAs) （BO vs LO）、369个差异表达的DEcircRNAs （LO vs CO）和306个差异表达的DEcircRNAs （BO vs CO）。基因本体（GO）和京都基因与基因组百科全书（KEGG）分析表明，DEcircRNA靶基因在卵巢颗粒细胞增殖、凋亡、分化和卵泡形成等过程中显著富集。同时，这些靶点与磷酸肌肽代谢密切相关，并在GnRH、MAPK和p53信号通路中发挥关键作用。采用qRT-PCR技术和Western blot技术分别检测不同产蛋期卵巢组织中DEGs和蛋白的表达。结果表明，测序结果真实可靠。我们成功构建了一个ceRNA （circRNA-miRNA-mRNA）网络，并鉴定了涉及卵巢发育和类固醇激素合成/分泌的四个关键ceRNA调控轴，即novel_circ_107999-miR-1 44-y-NR2F2/TGM2、novel_circ_072697-miR-143-x-FMN2、novel_circ_031722-miR-101-x-CASP2/ rpn2和novel_circ_100886-miR-101-y-PTX3/SEMA3 E/HSD3B1。双荧光素酶报告基因测定证实了novel_circ_072697-miR-143-x-FMN2轴之间的靶向关系。综上所述，本研究系统探索了DEcircRNAs及其靶基因的协同调控机制，为确定不同产蛋阶段WWGs卵巢发育的关键基因和分子机制提供了理论基础。这些发现促进了我们对该物种季节性繁殖的生物学特征的理解，并为提高鸟类繁殖性能提供了有价值的见解。
{"title":"Integrative analysis of circRNA, miRNA, and mRNA profiles to reveal ceRNA regulation in geese ovarian development from the birth /laying to ceased periods","authors":"J.H. Fan , X.J. Li , M.M. Hou , W.W. Cai , X.W. Tong , M. Ren , C.S. Jiang , S.H. Li","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106498","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106498","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Laying performance is a key metric for assessing avian reproductive efficiency. Ovarian tissues from Wanxi White Geese (WWGs) at different laying stages (birth period, laying period, and ceased period) were used in this study as research subjects. mRNA and circRNA expression profiles of ovarian tissues were constructed across various laying phases using transcriptome sequencing technology and bioinformatics approaches. The results revealed a total of 504 differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) (BO vs LO), 369 DEcircRNAs (LO vs CO), and 306 DEcircRNAs (BO vs CO) across different laying stages. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses demonstrated that DEcircRNA target genes were significantly enriched in processes including ovarian granulosa-cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and folliculogenesis. Concurrently, these targets were prominently implicated in phosphoinositide metabolism and played key roles in the GnRH, MAPK, and p53 signaling pathways. The expression of DEGs and proteins in ovarian tissues at different laying periods was detected by qRT-PCR technology and Western blot technology respectively. The results showed that the sequencing results were true and reliable. A ceRNA (circRNA-miRNA-mRNA) network was successfully constructed, and four key ceRNA regulatory axes implicated in ovarian development and steroid hormone synthesis/secretion were identified, namely novel_circ_107999-miR-1 44-y-<em>NR2F2/TGM2</em>, novel_circ_072697-miR-143-x-<em>FMN2</em>, novel_circ_031722-miR-101-x-<em>CASP2/RPN 2</em>, and novel_circ_100886-miR-101-y-<em>PTX3/SEMA3 E/HSD3B1</em>. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed a targeting relationship between the novel_circ_072697-miR-143-x-<em>FMN2</em> axis. In conclusion, this study system-atically explored the coordinated regulatory mechanisms of DEcircRNAs and their target genes, providing a theoretical foundation for identifying the key genes and molecular mechanisms underlying ovarian development in WWGs across different laying stages. These findings advance our understanding of the biological features of seasonal reproduction in this species and offer valuable insights for enhancing avian reproductive performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106498"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146113995","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2026.106501
Kouassi R. Kpodo , Yuguo H. Tompkins , Katarzyna B. Miska , Monika Proszkowiec-Weglarz , Olga A. Postnikova , Drew E. Olson , Trevor R. Mitchell , Anthony E. Glenn
The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) contaminates chicken feed and negatively impacts intestinal health and overall production performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of lactic acid bacteria and DON toxicity on production performance, intestinal morphology and absorptive function, and oxidative stress in broiler chickens. A total of 432 day-old-Ross 308 chicks were assigned to treatments arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial with mycotoxin (0 mg, noM; 5 mg/kg, M) and probiotic [0 cfu/kg, noP; 1.0 × 109 cfu/kg Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA); or 1.0 × 107 cfu/kg FloraMax-PW (FM), made of LA and Pediococcus acidilactici] and raised for 22 days. Body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected (P = 0.130) by mycotoxin or mycotoxin × probiotic interaction for any days. However, FCR was reduced (P = 0.050) in FM compared to noP for days 8-15. Mycotoxin reduced villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (P = 0.029 and P = 0.027, respectively) in the jejunum. The level of jejunal zonula occludens-2 mRNA was reduced (P = 0.040) in M+noP and M+LA compared to noM+noP, noM+FM, noM+LA, and M+FM chickens. Ileal occludin and zonula occludens-2 mRNA expressions were increased (P < 0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively) by mycotoxin, and claudin-1 expression was increased (P = 0.029) by FM. Immunoglobulin A mRNA expression was increased (P = 0.020) in FM compared to noP while that of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor was increased (P = 0.004) in FM and LA in the ileum. Plasma catalase activity was reduced (P < 0.001) in M+noP compared to other treatments while that of glutathione reductase was increased (P = 0.036) by DON. In conclusion, DON at 5 mg/kg of feed did not affect production performance, but reduced intestinal morphology, which was not prevented by probiotics. The supplementation of FM improved the overall oxidative status in response to DON. In addition, FM improved intestinal immune genes expression in the context of this study.
{"title":"Effects of probiotic supplementation on growth performance, intestinal barrier function, and oxidative stress in broiler chickens fed a deoxynivalenol-contaminated diet","authors":"Kouassi R. Kpodo , Yuguo H. Tompkins , Katarzyna B. Miska , Monika Proszkowiec-Weglarz , Olga A. Postnikova , Drew E. Olson , Trevor R. Mitchell , Anthony E. Glenn","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106501","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106501","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (<strong>DON</strong>) contaminates chicken feed and negatively impacts intestinal health and overall production performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of lactic acid bacteria and DON toxicity on production performance, intestinal morphology and absorptive function, and oxidative stress in broiler chickens. A total of 432 day-old-Ross 308 chicks were assigned to treatments arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial with mycotoxin (0 mg, <strong>noM</strong>; 5 mg/kg, <strong>M</strong>) and probiotic [0 cfu/kg, <strong>noP</strong>; 1.0 × 10<sup>9</sup> cfu/kg <em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em> (<strong>LA</strong>); or 1.0 × 10<sup>7</sup> cfu/kg FloraMax-PW (<strong>FM</strong>), made of LA and <em>Pediococcus acidilactici</em>] and raised for 22 days. Body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (<strong>FCR</strong>) were not affected (<em>P</em> = 0.130) by mycotoxin or mycotoxin × probiotic interaction for any days. However, FCR was reduced (<em>P</em> = 0.050) in FM compared to noP for days 8-15. Mycotoxin reduced villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (<em>P</em> = 0.029 and <em>P</em> = 0.027, respectively) in the jejunum. The level of jejunal zonula occludens-2 mRNA was reduced (<em>P</em> = 0.040) in M+noP and M+LA compared to noM+noP, noM+FM, noM+LA, and M+FM chickens. Ileal occludin and zonula occludens-2 mRNA expressions were increased (<em>P</em> < 0.001 and <em>P</em> = 0.011, respectively) by mycotoxin, and claudin-1 expression was increased (<em>P</em> = 0.029) by FM. Immunoglobulin A mRNA expression was increased (<em>P</em> = 0.020) in FM compared to noP while that of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor was increased (<em>P</em> = 0.004) in FM and LA in the ileum. Plasma catalase activity was reduced (<em>P</em> < 0.001) in M+noP compared to other treatments while that of glutathione reductase was increased (<em>P</em> = 0.036) by DON. In conclusion, DON at 5 mg/kg of feed did not affect production performance, but reduced intestinal morphology, which was not prevented by probiotics. The supplementation of FM improved the overall oxidative status in response to DON. In addition, FM improved intestinal immune genes expression in the context of this study.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106501"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080185","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}
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