Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-07DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.106077
Dea M Bogdanic, Sara Cloft, Elizabeth L Karcher
The Poultry and Animal Virus Education (PAVE) program was designed to increase agricultural literacy, content knowledge, and science interest among elementary students through a combination of online modules and a hands-on classroom project. A total of 111 students completed baseline surveys (T1), with 78 completing post-module assessments (T2) and 49 completing post-project assessments (T3). Agricultural literacy, module-specific knowledge items, and individual and situational interest were measured using validated Likert-scale instruments. Content knowledge scores remained stable (T1: 6.64 ± 0.21; T2: 6.67 ± 0.49). Individual interest remained neutral between T1 and T3, whereas situational interest increased modestly and remained stable. Students who self-reported low agricultural knowledge scored significantly lower on content knowledge measures (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that online interventions may support content understanding but have limited impact on shifting individual interest, highlighting the need to integrate reflection, relevance, and teacher facilitation to sustain engagement.
{"title":"Impact of a poultry education program on elementary students' knowledge and interest.","authors":"Dea M Bogdanic, Sara Cloft, Elizabeth L Karcher","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106077","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106077","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Poultry and Animal Virus Education (PAVE) program was designed to increase agricultural literacy, content knowledge, and science interest among elementary students through a combination of online modules and a hands-on classroom project. A total of 111 students completed baseline surveys (T1), with 78 completing post-module assessments (T2) and 49 completing post-project assessments (T3). Agricultural literacy, module-specific knowledge items, and individual and situational interest were measured using validated Likert-scale instruments. Content knowledge scores remained stable (T1: 6.64 ± 0.21; T2: 6.67 ± 0.49). Individual interest remained neutral between T1 and T3, whereas situational interest increased modestly and remained stable. Students who self-reported low agricultural knowledge scored significantly lower on content knowledge measures (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that online interventions may support content understanding but have limited impact on shifting individual interest, highlighting the need to integrate reflection, relevance, and teacher facilitation to sustain engagement.</p>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 1","pages":"106077"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12752520/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145725511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sex-biased in gene expression is a pervasive biological phenomenon in animals and plays critical roles in sex-dependent physiological activities. While previous studies have identified numerous genes displaying sex-biased expression at pre- or post-sexual maturity, the regulatory mechanisms driving such differential expression remain poorly understood. Our earlier work showed that progesterone receptor (PGR) expression in the chicken pituitary exhibits sex bias. Herein, we aimed to identify key gonadal steroids and their regulatory mechanisms mediating female-enriched PGR expression in the chicken pituitary. Our results showed that: (1) Pituitary PGR expression in sexually mature chickens was confirmed to be sex-biased; (2) Both in vitro assays and subcutaneous injections demonstrated that 17β-estradiol (E2) potently stimulated PGR expression in the chicken pituitary in a time- and dose-dependent manner, whereas progesterone and dihydrotestosterone showed no such effect; (3) E2-induced PGR transcription relies on estrogen receptor α (ERα) rather than ERβ or G protein-coupled estrogen receptor; (4) Single-cell RNA-seq analysis revealed 26.3 % co-expression of ESR1 (the ERα-encoding gene) and PGR in chicken gonadotrophs; (5) E2-elevated PGR expression may involve both membrane-anchored ERα (mERα)-triggered rapid non-genomic pathways and ERα-associated long-lasting genomic actions; (6) mERα-mediated regulation of pituitary PGR expression in chickens might be linked to PLC-dependent dual messenger systems (IP3/Ca2+ and DAG/PKC), the MEK/ERK cascade, and L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. These findings provide novel insights into the estrogen-dependent regulatory mechanisms of sex-biased PGR expression in the avian pituitary, advancing our understanding of estrogen-mediated modulation of the reproductive axis in birds.
基因表达的性别偏向是一种普遍存在的生物现象，在动物性别依赖的生理活动中起着至关重要的作用。虽然先前的研究已经确定了许多基因在性成熟前或性成熟后表现出性别偏倚的表达，但驱动这种差异表达的调节机制仍然知之甚少。我们早期的工作表明，孕激素受体（PGR）在鸡垂体中的表达表现出性别偏见。在此，我们旨在确定关键的性腺激素及其调控机制，介导鸡垂体中雌性富集PGR的表达。结果表明：(1)性成熟鸡垂体PGR表达存在性别偏倚；(2)体外实验和皮下注射均表明，17β-雌二醇（E2）对鸡垂体中PGR的表达具有时间依赖性和剂量依赖性，而黄体酮和双氢睾酮对PGR的表达无明显影响；(3) e2诱导的PGR转录依赖于雌激素受体α (ERα)而不是雌激素受体β或G蛋白偶联的雌激素受体；(4)单细胞RNA-seq分析显示，鸡促性腺激素中ESR1 （er α-编码基因）和PGR共表达率为26.3%；(5) e2升高的PGR表达可能涉及膜锚定的ERα (mERα)触发的快速非基因组途径和ERα相关的长期基因组作用；(6) mer α介导的鸡垂体PGR表达调控可能与plc依赖的双信使系统（IP3/Ca2+和DAG/PKC）、MEK/ERK级联以及l型电压门控Ca2+通道有关。这些发现为鸟类垂体中性别偏倚PGR表达的雌激素依赖调节机制提供了新的见解，促进了我们对雌激素介导的鸟类生殖轴调节的理解。
{"title":"17β-estradiol mediates sex-biased progesterone receptor expression via estrogen receptor α in chicken pituitary.","authors":"Guixian Bu, Shasha Guo, Li Guo, Yaling Wang, Jingyi Lin, Xinchun Li, Lingyang Li, Linyan Huang, Xianyin Zeng, Jing Feng, Caiyun Sun, Fengyan Meng","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106210","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106210","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sex-biased in gene expression is a pervasive biological phenomenon in animals and plays critical roles in sex-dependent physiological activities. While previous studies have identified numerous genes displaying sex-biased expression at pre- or post-sexual maturity, the regulatory mechanisms driving such differential expression remain poorly understood. Our earlier work showed that progesterone receptor (PGR) expression in the chicken pituitary exhibits sex bias. Herein, we aimed to identify key gonadal steroids and their regulatory mechanisms mediating female-enriched PGR expression in the chicken pituitary. Our results showed that: (1) Pituitary PGR expression in sexually mature chickens was confirmed to be sex-biased; (2) Both in vitro assays and subcutaneous injections demonstrated that 17β-estradiol (E<sub>2</sub>) potently stimulated PGR expression in the chicken pituitary in a time- and dose-dependent manner, whereas progesterone and dihydrotestosterone showed no such effect; (3) E<sub>2</sub>-induced PGR transcription relies on estrogen receptor α (ERα) rather than ERβ or G protein-coupled estrogen receptor; (4) Single-cell RNA-seq analysis revealed 26.3 % co-expression of ESR1 (the ERα-encoding gene) and PGR in chicken gonadotrophs; (5) E<sub>2</sub>-elevated PGR expression may involve both membrane-anchored ERα (mERα)-triggered rapid non-genomic pathways and ERα-associated long-lasting genomic actions; (6) mERα-mediated regulation of pituitary PGR expression in chickens might be linked to PLC-dependent dual messenger systems (IP3/Ca<sup>2+</sup> and DAG/PKC), the MEK/ERK cascade, and L-type voltage-gated Ca<sup>2+</sup> channels. These findings provide novel insights into the estrogen-dependent regulatory mechanisms of sex-biased PGR expression in the avian pituitary, advancing our understanding of estrogen-mediated modulation of the reproductive axis in birds.</p>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 1","pages":"106210"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12752528/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145743975","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-24DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.106152
Muhammad Anang Aprianto, Jirapat Jaisue, Naoki Isobe, Takahiro Nii
Intestinal disruptions, including morphological changes, barrier dysfunction, and inflammation, are associated with reduced egg production in laying hens. A previous study reported that oral administration of low-dose dextran sodium sulfate (DSS; 0.255 g/kg body weight) for 28 days caused slight intestinal disruption, resulting in decreased egg production and yolk size in the first week. These findings suggest that short-term DSS exposure may induce long-lasting effects on follicular development; however, the mechanisms underlying this early response remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the reduction in egg and yolk production during the first week. White Leghorn laying hens (350 days old) were divided into five groups: DSS-treated groups for 1 (DSS1), 2 (DSS2), and 7 (DSS7) consecutive days, and control groups receiving distilled water for 0 (CON0) and 7 (CON7) consecutive days. Egg parameters and serum corticosterone levels were assessed in the CON7 and DSS7 groups. At each time point, the birds were euthanized, and samples from the intestine, liver, granulosa cells (F1 and F5 follicles), hypothalamus, and pituitary gland were collected. Low-doses of DSS administration yielded the following results: (1) decreased claudin-1 (CLA-1) and claudin-5 (CLA-5) in the cecum in DSS1 and DSS2, while increased pro-inflammatory cytokines in the ileum and cecum in DSS2 and DSS7. (2) Increased sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), very low density lipoprotein-II (VLDL-II), and estrogen receptor alpha (Erα) in the liver in DSS7. (3) Decreased low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) and lipoprotein receptor 8 (LR8) in the granulosa cells in DSS2, with increased CLA-1 and CLA-5 in DSS1; both patterns were reversed in DSS7. (4) Increased stress-related hormone synthesis in DSS1 and DSS7, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) gene expression in DSS1 and DSS2. These results suggest that slight intestinal disruption triggers a systemic stress response that impairs yolk precursor uptake and follicular function, leading to reduced egg weight and yolk size without affecting gonadotropin or yolk precursor production. After one week, a compensatory feedback response restored yolk precursor uptake and gonadotropin synthesis, but yolk size continued to decline. In conclusion, these findings suggest that short-term intestinal disruption serves as a key trigger for prolonged impairment of reproductive function and egg quality in laying hens.
肠道紊乱，包括形态改变、屏障功能障碍和炎症，与蛋鸡产蛋量减少有关。先前有研究报道，低剂量葡聚糖硫酸钠（DSS， 0.255 g/kg体重）口服28天可引起轻度肠道紊乱，导致第一周产蛋量和蛋黄大小下降。这些发现表明，短期接触DSS可能会对卵泡发育产生长期影响；然而，这种早期反应的机制尚不清楚。本研究旨在探讨第一周鸡蛋和蛋黄产量减少的机制。将350日龄来港白蛋鸡分为5组：连续1 d （DSS1）、2 d （DSS2）和7 d （DSS7）饮用dss处理组，连续0 d （CON0）和7 d （CON7）饮用蒸馏水对照组。评估CON7组和DSS7组的卵子参数和血清皮质酮水平。在每个时间点对雏鸟实施安乐死，并收集肠、肝、颗粒细胞（F1和F5卵泡）、下丘脑和垂体的样本。低剂量DSS给药的结果如下：(1)DSS1和DSS2的盲肠中claudin-1 （claudin-1）和claudin-5 （claudin-5）降低，DSS2和DSS7的回肠和盲肠中促炎细胞因子升高。(2) DSS7患者肝脏中固醇调节元件结合蛋白-1 （SREBP-1）、极低密度脂蛋白- ii （VLDL-II）和雌激素受体α (Erα)升高。(3) DSS2颗粒细胞低密度脂蛋白受体（LDLr）和脂蛋白受体8 （LR8）降低，DSS1细胞CLA-1和CLA-5升高；这两种模式在DSS7中被逆转。(4)应激相关激素在DSS1和DSS7中合成增加，促性腺激素释放激素（GnRH）、促黄体生成素（LH）、促卵泡刺激素（FSH）基因在DSS1和DSS2中表达增加。这些结果表明，轻微的肠道紊乱会引发系统性应激反应，损害蛋黄前体的摄取和卵泡功能，导致鸡蛋重量和蛋黄大小减少，但不会影响促性腺激素或蛋黄前体的产生。一周后，补偿性反馈反应恢复了蛋黄前体摄取和促性腺激素合成，但蛋黄尺寸继续下降。综上所述，这些研究结果表明，短期肠道紊乱是蛋鸡生殖功能和鸡蛋质量长期受损的关键触发因素。
{"title":"Effects of DSS-induced intestinal disruption on egg quality and brain, liver, and ovarian follicle functions in laying hens.","authors":"Muhammad Anang Aprianto, Jirapat Jaisue, Naoki Isobe, Takahiro Nii","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106152","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106152","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Intestinal disruptions, including morphological changes, barrier dysfunction, and inflammation, are associated with reduced egg production in laying hens. A previous study reported that oral administration of low-dose dextran sodium sulfate (DSS; 0.255 g/kg body weight) for 28 days caused slight intestinal disruption, resulting in decreased egg production and yolk size in the first week. These findings suggest that short-term DSS exposure may induce long-lasting effects on follicular development; however, the mechanisms underlying this early response remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the reduction in egg and yolk production during the first week. White Leghorn laying hens (350 days old) were divided into five groups: DSS-treated groups for 1 (DSS1), 2 (DSS2), and 7 (DSS7) consecutive days, and control groups receiving distilled water for 0 (CON0) and 7 (CON7) consecutive days. Egg parameters and serum corticosterone levels were assessed in the CON7 and DSS7 groups. At each time point, the birds were euthanized, and samples from the intestine, liver, granulosa cells (F1 and F5 follicles), hypothalamus, and pituitary gland were collected. Low-doses of DSS administration yielded the following results: (1) decreased claudin-1 (CLA-1) and claudin-5 (CLA-5) in the cecum in DSS1 and DSS2, while increased pro-inflammatory cytokines in the ileum and cecum in DSS2 and DSS7. (2) Increased sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), very low density lipoprotein-II (VLDL-II), and estrogen receptor alpha (Erα) in the liver in DSS7. (3) Decreased low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) and lipoprotein receptor 8 (LR8) in the granulosa cells in DSS2, with increased CLA-1 and CLA-5 in DSS1; both patterns were reversed in DSS7. (4) Increased stress-related hormone synthesis in DSS1 and DSS7, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) gene expression in DSS1 and DSS2. These results suggest that slight intestinal disruption triggers a systemic stress response that impairs yolk precursor uptake and follicular function, leading to reduced egg weight and yolk size without affecting gonadotropin or yolk precursor production. After one week, a compensatory feedback response restored yolk precursor uptake and gonadotropin synthesis, but yolk size continued to decline. In conclusion, these findings suggest that short-term intestinal disruption serves as a key trigger for prolonged impairment of reproductive function and egg quality in laying hens.</p>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 1","pages":"106152"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12752541/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145744003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cryopreservation of semen is crucial for preserving genetic resources and maintaining biodiversity. However, the unique structural characteristics of avian sperm make them particularly susceptible to cryoinjury, often resulting in impaired motility following thawing. Currently, research on drake semen cryopreservation remains limited. In this study, an integrated proteomic and untargeted metabolomic analysis was employed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying cryodamage-induced impairment of drake sperm motility. The findings revealed that glycolytic enzymes and peroxisomes play essential roles in maintaining sperm function during cryopreservation. Proteomic and metabolomic profiling of fresh (FS) and frozen-thawed (FT) semen samples from drakes identified a total of 6,946 proteins and 1,568 metabolites. Comparative analysis showed that, relative to FS samples, the FT group exhibited an upregulation of 94 proteins and 80 metabolites, and a downregulation of 259 proteins and 138 metabolites. The findings of this indicate that several key antioxidant enzymes were significantly downregulated in the FT samples, suggesting a lack of capacity to eliminate excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during the freezing process. This imbalance likely contributes to oxidative stress and apoptosis in sperm cells. Additionally, suppressing the glycolytic pathway during freezing reduces ATP production, further compromising sperm motility. These results demonstrate that oxidative stress and energy metabolism disruption are major contributors to cryoinjury in drake sperm, providing potential targets for improving cryopreservation outcomes in drake species.
{"title":"Proteomic and metabolomic profiling reveal alterations in freezing-thawing and fresh drake sperm.","authors":"Shanpeng Wang, Hongyan Zhang, Lingjiang Min, Shuer Zhang, Zhansheng Liu, Adedeji O Adetunji, Zhendong Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106192","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106192","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cryopreservation of semen is crucial for preserving genetic resources and maintaining biodiversity. However, the unique structural characteristics of avian sperm make them particularly susceptible to cryoinjury, often resulting in impaired motility following thawing. Currently, research on drake semen cryopreservation remains limited. In this study, an integrated proteomic and untargeted metabolomic analysis was employed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying cryodamage-induced impairment of drake sperm motility. The findings revealed that glycolytic enzymes and peroxisomes play essential roles in maintaining sperm function during cryopreservation. Proteomic and metabolomic profiling of fresh (FS) and frozen-thawed (FT) semen samples from drakes identified a total of 6,946 proteins and 1,568 metabolites. Comparative analysis showed that, relative to FS samples, the FT group exhibited an upregulation of 94 proteins and 80 metabolites, and a downregulation of 259 proteins and 138 metabolites. The findings of this indicate that several key antioxidant enzymes were significantly downregulated in the FT samples, suggesting a lack of capacity to eliminate excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during the freezing process. This imbalance likely contributes to oxidative stress and apoptosis in sperm cells. Additionally, suppressing the glycolytic pathway during freezing reduces ATP production, further compromising sperm motility. These results demonstrate that oxidative stress and energy metabolism disruption are major contributors to cryoinjury in drake sperm, providing potential targets for improving cryopreservation outcomes in drake species.</p>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 1","pages":"106192"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12752543/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145725535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The photoperiod during rearing and laying period is a primary environmental regulator of reproductive performance in poultry, yet its effects on male breeding pigeons have been largely unexplored. Therefore, this study evaluated the impact of four photoperiod regimes on the reproductive performance, testicular morphology, hormone profiles, and gene expression of hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis in male White King pigeons. From 101 d of age, the pigeons in the control group were exposed to a natural photoperiod until 160 d, and then to a photoperiod of 16 h (16 light (L): 8 dark (D)) and lasted for 30 weeks. Pigeons in the three experimental groups were exposed to a short photoperiod of 8L: 16D until 160 d, and then to 14L: 10D (S-14L:10D), 16L: 8D (S-16L:8D), and 18L: 6D (S-18L:16D), respectively. The results showed that light restriction (8L:16D) during the rearing period and then 14L:10D or 16L:8D photostimulation produced the highest egg output and fertility rates. Pigeons under S‑14L:10D exhibited larger bilateral testes, increased seminiferous‑tubule diameter and epithelial thickness, elevated numbers of spermatogenic cells, significantly higher plasma FSH, LH and testosterone concentrations, while reduced prolactin. Under the S-14L:10D photoperiod, GnRH, FSH, LH-receptor and steroidogenic enzymes were up‑regulated, alongside down‑regulated GnIH, VIP, PRL. This optimal light program also increased expression of deep‑brain photoreceptors (neuropsin, melanopsin, vertebrate ancient-opsin, pinopsin) and suppressed retinal opsins, suggesting a shift toward non‑visual photoperception that drives reproductive activation. These findings demonstrate that a S-14L:10D light schedule from rearing period optimally stimulates hormonal, hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular (HPT) axis genes expression, and morphological pathways, thereby maximizing reproductive performance in commercial pigeon production.
{"title":"Photoperiodic schedules during rearing and laying stages modulate photoreceptors transcription and the hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis in male White King pigeons","authors":"Leyan Yan , Mengwen Feng , Chungang Feng , Zhe Chen , Xuefeng Sun , Zhaorigetu , Binbin Guo , Huanxi Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106367","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106367","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The photoperiod during rearing and laying period is a primary environmental regulator of reproductive performance in poultry, yet its effects on male breeding pigeons have been largely unexplored. Therefore, this study evaluated the impact of four photoperiod regimes on the reproductive performance, testicular morphology, hormone profiles, and gene expression of hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis in male White King pigeons. From 101 d of age, the pigeons in the control group were exposed to a natural photoperiod until 160 d, and then to a photoperiod of 16 h (16 light (L): 8 dark (D)) and lasted for 30 weeks. Pigeons in the three experimental groups were exposed to a short photoperiod of 8L: 16D until 160 d, and then to 14L: 10D (S-14L:10D), 16L: 8D (S-16L:8D), and 18L: 6D (S-18L:16D), respectively. The results showed that light restriction (8L:16D) during the rearing period and then 14L:10D or 16L:8D photostimulation produced the highest egg output and fertility rates. Pigeons under S‑14L:10D exhibited larger bilateral testes, increased seminiferous‑tubule diameter and epithelial thickness, elevated numbers of spermatogenic cells, significantly higher plasma FSH, LH and testosterone concentrations, while reduced prolactin. Under the S-14L:10D photoperiod, GnRH, FSH, LH-receptor and steroidogenic enzymes were up‑regulated, alongside down‑regulated GnIH, VIP, PRL. This optimal light program also increased expression of deep‑brain photoreceptors (neuropsin, melanopsin, vertebrate ancient-opsin, pinopsin) and suppressed retinal opsins, suggesting a shift toward non‑visual photoperception that drives reproductive activation. These findings demonstrate that a S-14L:10D light schedule from rearing period optimally stimulates hormonal, hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular (HPT) axis genes expression, and morphological pathways, thereby maximizing reproductive performance in commercial pigeon production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 3","pages":"Article 106367"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145918247","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 : 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.106346
Bismark Kyei , Christian Asumah , Philip Appiah , Hamdan Musah , Samuel Ankrah Twumasi , Emmanuel Asumah , Richmond Galaa , Emmanuel Anane , Frederick Anaaba , Christian Siaw , Prince Bondah Anane , George Oteng Asare , Justice Forson , Kwaku Adomako
This study evaluated the comparative effects of genotype on the growth performance and economic efficiency of two commercial broiler strains Cobb 500 and Ross 308 raised under tropical environmental conditions. A total of 200 day-old chicks, consisting of 100 birds from each of the two strains, were randomly assigned to five experimental groups per strain, with 20 birds per group. Birds were reared for six weeks, and data on body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality and production economics were collected. Results showed no significant differences in the initial body weight of the two strains. However, Cobb 500 exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) BW and WG from the first week through to the sixth week compared to Ross 308. The FI was consistently higher in Cobb 500 across all weeks, yet its FCR values remained superior, indicating more efficient feed utilization. Mortality rates were not significantly different between the two genotypes, suggesting comparable adaptability to tropical conditions. In terms of carcass characteristics, Cobb 500 broilers recorded significantly higher carcass weight, breast muscle, drumstick, and wing weights compared to Ross 308. Economic analysis revealed that although Cobb 500 incurred higher feed costs, it achieved greater final BW, higher dressed weight, and superior profit margins than Ross 308. The total profit for Cobb 500 exceeded that of Ross 308. These findings indicate that Cobb 500 demonstrates better growth performance, feed efficiency, and profitability, making it a more economically viable strain for broiler production under tropical environmental conditions.
{"title":"Comparative analysis of the effect of genotype on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and economic efficiency of cobb 500 and ross 308 modern commercial broiler chickens raised in the tropics","authors":"Bismark Kyei , Christian Asumah , Philip Appiah , Hamdan Musah , Samuel Ankrah Twumasi , Emmanuel Asumah , Richmond Galaa , Emmanuel Anane , Frederick Anaaba , Christian Siaw , Prince Bondah Anane , George Oteng Asare , Justice Forson , Kwaku Adomako","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106346","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106346","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the comparative effects of genotype on the growth performance and economic efficiency of two commercial broiler strains Cobb 500 and Ross 308 raised under tropical environmental conditions. A total of 200 day-old chicks, consisting of 100 birds from each of the two strains, were randomly assigned to five experimental groups per strain, with 20 birds per group. Birds were reared for six weeks, and data on body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality and production economics were collected. Results showed no significant differences in the initial body weight of the two strains. However, Cobb 500 exhibited significantly higher (<em>p</em> < 0.05) BW and WG from the first week through to the sixth week compared to Ross 308. The FI was consistently higher in Cobb 500 across all weeks, yet its FCR values remained superior, indicating more efficient feed utilization. Mortality rates were not significantly different between the two genotypes, suggesting comparable adaptability to tropical conditions. In terms of carcass characteristics, Cobb 500 broilers recorded significantly higher carcass weight, breast muscle, drumstick, and wing weights compared to Ross 308. Economic analysis revealed that although Cobb 500 incurred higher feed costs, it achieved greater final BW, higher dressed weight, and superior profit margins than Ross 308. The total profit for Cobb 500 exceeded that of Ross 308. These findings indicate that Cobb 500 demonstrates better growth performance, feed efficiency, and profitability, making it a more economically viable strain for broiler production under tropical environmental conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 3","pages":"Article 106346"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145940445","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 : 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.106366
Shanxin Li , Gaohui Nie , Xueyan Dai , Jiamei Zhu , Li Xiao , Sunan Wang , Jirong Chen , Jianrong Ren , Caiying Zhang
Excessive molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) exert negative influences on organism. Our prior experiments attested that Mo and Cd brought liver damage in ShaoXing ducks (Anas platyrhyncha); this injury mechanism has not yet been fully clarified. Hence, the hepatotoxicity mechanisms of Mo and Cd were roundly analyzed by network toxicology in the study, the analysis confirmed that Mo and Cd primarily induce liver injury through lipid metabolism dysregulation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Further validation demonstrated that Mo and/or Cd upregulated fatty acid synthesis, reduced PPARβ/δ-mediated fatty acid β-oxidation, promoted free fatty acids (FFA) content and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) level, impaired integrality of mitochondrial membrane and mitochondrial function, thereby causing fatty acid metabolism disarray and mitochondrial dysfunction. Both PPARβ/δ activator GW0742 and mtROS inhibitor ROS-IN-1 could alleviate the changes of above these indexes. Collectively, findings from this research showed that Cd and Mo additively caused crosstalk between fatty acid metabolism disarray and mitochondrial dysfunction, thus inducing liver injury in ducks.
{"title":"The crosstalk between fatty acid metabolism disorder and mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in hepatotoxicity co-induced by cadmium and molybdenum in ShaoXing duck (Anas platyrhyncha) livers","authors":"Shanxin Li , Gaohui Nie , Xueyan Dai , Jiamei Zhu , Li Xiao , Sunan Wang , Jirong Chen , Jianrong Ren , Caiying Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106366","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106366","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Excessive molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) exert negative influences on organism. Our prior experiments attested that Mo and Cd brought liver damage in ShaoXing ducks (<em>Anas platyrhyncha</em>); this injury mechanism has not yet been fully clarified. Hence, the hepatotoxicity mechanisms of Mo and Cd were roundly analyzed by network toxicology in the study, the analysis confirmed that Mo and Cd primarily induce liver injury through lipid metabolism dysregulation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Further validation demonstrated that Mo and/or Cd upregulated fatty acid synthesis, reduced PPARβ/δ-mediated fatty acid β-oxidation, promoted free fatty acids (FFA) content and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) level, impaired integrality of mitochondrial membrane and mitochondrial function, thereby causing fatty acid metabolism disarray and mitochondrial dysfunction. Both PPARβ/δ activator GW0742 and mtROS inhibitor ROS-IN-1 could alleviate the changes of above these indexes. Collectively, findings from this research showed that Cd and Mo additively caused crosstalk between fatty acid metabolism disarray and mitochondrial dysfunction, thus inducing liver injury in ducks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 3","pages":"Article 106366"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145978637","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 : 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.106365
Hangbo Yu , Ziwen Wu , Dan Ling , Guodong Wang , Yulong Zhang , Runhang Liu , Erjing Ke , Xianyun Liu , Tengfei Xu , Suyan Wang , Hongyu Cui , Yanping Zhang , Yuntong Chen , Yongzhen Liu , Yulu Duan , Yulong Gao , Xiaole Qi
Infectious bursal disease (IBD), a globally important immunosuppressive disease of poultry caused by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), continues to pose a substantial threat to the poultry industry. For the past three decades, very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV), associated with high mortality, have been the predominant epidemic threat. While intensive vaccination is effectively controlling the acute mortality caused by vvIBDV, the global poultry industry now confronts the widespread prevalence of atypical IBD, which induces severe immunosuppression without lethality. In China, two primary IBDV strains are responsible for atypical IBD: the novel variant IBDV (nVarIBDV) and the mutated vvIBDV (mvvIBDV). However, the potential for co-infection and subsequent viral evolution between these prevalent strains remained unexplored. This study provides the first evidence of a natural co-infection by mvvIBDV and nVarIBDV in a single chicken and demonstrates that this co-infection state can be stably maintained. Initial RT-PCR analysis of a field bursa sample, designated IBDV-SD23-1903, for the VP2 hypervariable region (HVR) revealed a sequencing chromatogram with overlapping peaks, indicating a mixed infection. Based on T-vector cloning and Sanger sequencing of the VP2-HVR and VP1-B-marker amplicons, we identified two distinct viruses in this sample: an mvvIBDV (A3B3 genotype) with the characteristic VP2 mutations A222T/G254D/I256L/D279N and an nVarIBDV (A2dB1 genotype). Remarkably, the stability of this co-infection through four serial passages in SPF chickens was consistently observed, with overlapping peaks in sequencing chromatograms from F2 and F4 bursa samples. Moreover, next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of the F4 bursa sample confirmed the simultaneous presence of both mvvIBDV and nVarIBDV genomes, supported by the finding that the abundance of their segment A strongly correlated with that of segment B. Co-infection by mvvIBDV and nVarIBDV within a host poses a considerable risk for the generation of novel IBDV variants through genome reassortment or homologous recombination, thereby creating a new concern for the poultry industry. Our findings underscore the need for enhanced epidemiological surveillance and novel vaccines that simultaneously protect against both mvvIBDV and nVarIBDV to mitigate the evolving threat of atypical IBD.
{"title":"First detection of natural co-infection with mutated very virulent IBDV (mvvIBDV) and novel variant IBDV (nVarIBDV)","authors":"Hangbo Yu , Ziwen Wu , Dan Ling , Guodong Wang , Yulong Zhang , Runhang Liu , Erjing Ke , Xianyun Liu , Tengfei Xu , Suyan Wang , Hongyu Cui , Yanping Zhang , Yuntong Chen , Yongzhen Liu , Yulu Duan , Yulong Gao , Xiaole Qi","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106365","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106365","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Infectious bursal disease (IBD), a globally important immunosuppressive disease of poultry caused by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), continues to pose a substantial threat to the poultry industry. For the past three decades, very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV), associated with high mortality, have been the predominant epidemic threat. While intensive vaccination is effectively controlling the acute mortality caused by vvIBDV, the global poultry industry now confronts the widespread prevalence of atypical IBD, which induces severe immunosuppression without lethality. In China, two primary IBDV strains are responsible for atypical IBD: the novel variant IBDV (nVarIBDV) and the mutated vvIBDV (mvvIBDV). However, the potential for co-infection and subsequent viral evolution between these prevalent strains remained unexplored. This study provides the first evidence of a natural co-infection by mvvIBDV and nVarIBDV in a single chicken and demonstrates that this co-infection state can be stably maintained. Initial RT-PCR analysis of a field bursa sample, designated IBDV-SD23-1903, for the VP2 hypervariable region (HVR) revealed a sequencing chromatogram with overlapping peaks, indicating a mixed infection. Based on T-vector cloning and Sanger sequencing of the VP2-HVR and VP1-B-marker amplicons, we identified two distinct viruses in this sample: an mvvIBDV (A3B3 genotype) with the characteristic VP2 mutations A222T/G254D/I256L/D279N and an nVarIBDV (A2dB1 genotype). Remarkably, the stability of this co-infection through four serial passages in SPF chickens was consistently observed, with overlapping peaks in sequencing chromatograms from F2 and F4 bursa samples. Moreover, next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of the F4 bursa sample confirmed the simultaneous presence of both mvvIBDV and nVarIBDV genomes, supported by the finding that the abundance of their segment A strongly correlated with that of segment B. Co-infection by mvvIBDV and nVarIBDV within a host poses a considerable risk for the generation of novel IBDV variants through genome reassortment or homologous recombination, thereby creating a new concern for the poultry industry. Our findings underscore the need for enhanced epidemiological surveillance and novel vaccines that simultaneously protect against both mvvIBDV and nVarIBDV to mitigate the evolving threat of atypical IBD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 3","pages":"Article 106365"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145978561","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 : 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.106369
Kyung-Hyo Do , Da-Hye Ryu , Min-Gyu Kim , Hyun-Jung Ahn , You-Kyung Go , Hak-Su Kim , Young Kyung Park , Jong Bo Shim , Kwang-Won Seo
Fowl typhoid (FT), caused by Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Gallinarum biovar Gallinarum, causes important health problems and economic losses in the poultry industry. In this study, we investigated the gut microbiota composition and predicted metabolic functions in 7-week-old layer hens infected with S. Gallinarum and compared with those of healthy counterparts. Taxonomic profiles were characterized using 16S rRNA gene (V3-V4 region) sequencing of fecal samples from naturally infected and healthy layer hens, and microbial metabolic functions were inferred using PICRUSt2. Disruption of the gut microbiota was observed in S. Gallinarum infected group marked by a significant decrease of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus and Enterococcus) and increase of potentially pathogenic bacteria (Bacteroides and Escherichia–Shigella). There was no significant difference in Chao1 index. But Shannon and Simpson indices were significantly lower in the healthy group compared to S. Gallinarum infected group, and beta diversity analysis (Bray-Curtis and Jensen-Shannon Divergence) showed a clear separation between two groups, indicating distinct microbial community structures. Also, pathways associated with amino acid biosynthesis, peptidoglycan maturation, and carbohydrate fermentation were predicted to be reduced in the S. Gallinarum infected group, suggesting differences in predicted microbial metabolic capacity. Through this, we found that S. Gallinarum infection was associated with compositional and functional dysbiosis in the gut microbiota of layer hens, potentially affecting intestinal homeostasis during the birds’ early development. Understanding these changes provides valuable insights into the pathophysiology of FT, and supports the development of microbial community-based strategies to enhance the resilience of hosts.
{"title":"Gut microbiota dysbiosis and predicted metabolic functional shifts associated with fowl typhoid in layer hens","authors":"Kyung-Hyo Do , Da-Hye Ryu , Min-Gyu Kim , Hyun-Jung Ahn , You-Kyung Go , Hak-Su Kim , Young Kyung Park , Jong Bo Shim , Kwang-Won Seo","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106369","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106369","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fowl typhoid (FT), caused by <em>Salmonella enterica</em> subsp. <em>enterica</em> serovar Gallinarum biovar Gallinarum, causes important health problems and economic losses in the poultry industry. In this study, we investigated the gut microbiota composition and predicted metabolic functions in 7-week-old layer hens infected with <em>S.</em> Gallinarum and compared with those of healthy counterparts. Taxonomic profiles were characterized using 16S rRNA gene (V3-V4 region) sequencing of fecal samples from naturally infected and healthy layer hens, and microbial metabolic functions were inferred using PICRUSt2. Disruption of the gut microbiota was observed in <em>S.</em> Gallinarum infected group marked by a significant decrease of beneficial bacteria (<em>Lactobacillus</em> and <em>Enterococcus</em>) and increase of potentially pathogenic bacteria (<em>Bacteroides</em> and <em>Escherichia–Shigella</em>). There was no significant difference in Chao1 index. But Shannon and Simpson indices were significantly lower in the healthy group compared to <em>S.</em> Gallinarum infected group, and beta diversity analysis (Bray-Curtis and Jensen-Shannon Divergence) showed a clear separation between two groups, indicating distinct microbial community structures. Also, pathways associated with amino acid biosynthesis, peptidoglycan maturation, and carbohydrate fermentation were predicted to be reduced in the <em>S.</em> Gallinarum infected group, suggesting differences in predicted microbial metabolic capacity. Through this, we found that <em>S</em>. Gallinarum infection was associated with compositional and functional dysbiosis in the gut microbiota of layer hens, potentially affecting intestinal homeostasis during the birds’ early development. Understanding these changes provides valuable insights into the pathophysiology of FT, and supports the development of microbial community-based strategies to enhance the resilience of hosts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 3","pages":"Article 106369"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145912832","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 : 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.106368
Yu Xiao , Jie Long , Lu Liu , Zhaojie Wang , Wei Wang , Peng Huang
Reproductive function plays a central role in health but declines with aging. Recent studies have focused on natural flavonoids to mitigate reproductive aging, with the water extract of Ampelopsis grossedentata (WEA) showing promise due to its antioxidant, antitumor, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the specific bioactive constituents and mechanisms of WEA in alleviating reproductive aging remain unclear. This experiment analyzed the active flavonoid components in WEA and predicted the molecular mechanism by which WEA alleviates reproductive system aging through network pharmacology. Furthermore, based on the predicted molecular mechanisms, the effects of WEA on laying hens' production performance, reproductive function, and intestinal health were explored. A total of 288 laying hens (55 weeks old) were assigned to four groups: control and three WEA doses (50, 150, 250 mg/kg). During the experiment, production performance indicators such as egg weight were recorded daily. After the 8-week period, biological samples were collected for analysis. Network pharmacology identified dihydromyricetin, myricetin, and (-)-epicatechin as key active components, primarily affecting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. WEA significantly improved egg quality, immune parameters, reproductive organ morphology, intestinal morphology, and serum sex hormone levels, and reduced inflammatory factor levels. WEA improved ovarian apoptosis by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and alleviated oviduct inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. WEA enhanced intestinal anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions by regulating NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways and increased short-chain fatty acids in the hindgut. WEA altered the intestinal microbiome, particularly reducing the relative abundance of Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum in the foregut and Bacteroides in the hindgut. Correlation analysis revealed that WEA may alleviate oxidative and inflammatory responses by regulating intestinal microbiota, further impacting the PI3K/AKT cascade. In conclusion, WEA improves antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and reproductive functions in laying hens by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway and may alleviate oxidative and inflammatory responses by modulating microbiota. This study provides insights into the mechanism of WEA in improving reproductive performance and intestinal regulation.
{"title":"Water extract of Ampelopsis grossedentata improves reproductive performance in laying hens by regulating gut microbiota and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway","authors":"Yu Xiao , Jie Long , Lu Liu , Zhaojie Wang , Wei Wang , Peng Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106368","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2025.106368","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reproductive function plays a central role in health but declines with aging. Recent studies have focused on natural flavonoids to mitigate reproductive aging, with the water extract of <em>Ampelopsis grossedentata</em> (WEA) showing promise due to its antioxidant, antitumor, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the specific bioactive constituents and mechanisms of WEA in alleviating reproductive aging remain unclear. This experiment analyzed the active flavonoid components in WEA and predicted the molecular mechanism by which WEA alleviates reproductive system aging through network pharmacology. Furthermore, based on the predicted molecular mechanisms, the effects of WEA on laying hens' production performance, reproductive function, and intestinal health were explored. A total of 288 laying hens (55 weeks old) were assigned to four groups: control and three WEA doses (50, 150, 250 mg/kg). During the experiment, production performance indicators such as egg weight were recorded daily. After the 8-week period, biological samples were collected for analysis. Network pharmacology identified dihydromyricetin, myricetin, and (-)-epicatechin as key active components, primarily affecting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. WEA significantly improved egg quality, immune parameters, reproductive organ morphology, intestinal morphology, and serum sex hormone levels, and reduced inflammatory factor levels. WEA improved ovarian apoptosis by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and alleviated oviduct inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. WEA enhanced intestinal anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions by regulating NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways and increased short-chain fatty acids in the hindgut. WEA altered the intestinal microbiome, particularly reducing the relative abundance of Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum in the foregut and Bacteroides in the hindgut. Correlation analysis revealed that WEA may alleviate oxidative and inflammatory responses by regulating intestinal microbiota, further impacting the PI3K/AKT cascade. In conclusion, WEA improves antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and reproductive functions in laying hens by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway and may alleviate oxidative and inflammatory responses by modulating microbiota. This study provides insights into the mechanism of WEA in improving reproductive performance and intestinal regulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 3","pages":"Article 106368"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145912838","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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