Poultry Science最新文献

{"title":"Temporal dynamics of sperm morphology in broiler breeders: Evidence of rapid non-linear patterns of decline","authors":"Kolton Witherspoon ,&nbsp;Florie Sambuis ,&nbsp;Triumph Okuku ,&nbsp;Cara Cash ,&nbsp;George Hammons ,&nbsp;Ziteng Xu ,&nbsp;Ky G. Pohler ,&nbsp;Giridhar Athrey","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106504","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106504","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Broilers are the cornerstone of poultry meat production. However, recent trends have raised concerns about broiler breeder fertility/ hatchability, which is predicted to decline to 60% by 2050. Data from the <em>National Agricultural Statistics Service</em> (NASS), in 2024, confirms that broiler breeder fertility continues to decline, now at 79%. The general consensus is that these declines are a result of selection focusing on ‘production traits’, but the exact mechanisms and causative factors are unknown. The challenge of improving broiler breeder fertility is also compounded by the relative lack of knowledge surrounding male broiler breeder reproduction traits and the relationship between male reproduction and growth. These knowledge gaps limit our ability to address and solve the ongoing fertility and hatchability crisis in the poultry industry. In this study, we characterized changes in broiler sperm quality in Ross broiler breeders (Yield Plus males) using a longitudinal analysis of sperm morphology features. We collected semen from the male breeders on a weekly basis, then categorized 100 sperm cells per sample. Cells were identified based on a standard set of classifications developed from the literature, and the changes in the relative proportions of sperm morphologies were analyzed to determine the best-fitting model. Sperm with normal morphology were the most prevalent across samples, while the proportion of different defect types increased, decreased, or varied with age. Using Bayesian analyses, the derivatives (rates of change) of normal sperm proportions and the proportions of defects were analyzed to estimate the time of peak utility. Our peak utility function identified an age of 9.48 months (CI 95% = 9.02-10.42, about 38 weeks), at which male broiler breeders are at their peak in terms of sperm quality and fertility. This finding indicates that the peak breeding performance of males occurs significantly earlier and for a shorter duration than previously documented. This work bridges the knowledge gap in broiler reproduction and provides tools for incorporating sperm phenotypes into future poultry and livestock breeding models.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106504"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080849","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Probiotic and antibacterial properties of recombinant Lactococcus lactis expressing the fusion antimicrobial peptides BMAP18-BSN37 in mice and chickens","authors":"Ruibiao Wang ,&nbsp;Yukai Lin ,&nbsp;Yu Xia ,&nbsp;Suxian Liu ,&nbsp;Doudou Feng ,&nbsp;Siyang Li ,&nbsp;Tengyue Zhou ,&nbsp;Huarun Sun ,&nbsp;Jiyuan Shen ,&nbsp;Bo Wen ,&nbsp;Minghui Li ,&nbsp;Chengshui Liao ,&nbsp;Baoliang Qin ,&nbsp;Jianhe Hu ,&nbsp;Yuanfang Ma ,&nbsp;Ke Ding ,&nbsp;Lei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106507","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106507","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Antimicrobial resistance poses a serious threat to global food safety and poultry production, prompting the need for effective alternatives to conventional antibiotics in food-producing animals. In this study, a recombinant food-grade strain, <em>L. lactis</em> NZ-BB, was engineered to express a fusion antimicrobial peptide (BMAP18-BSN37), and evaluated its probiotic characteristics and antimicrobial efficacy against <em>Salmonella</em>, a major foodborne pathogen in chicken. The recombinant plasmid pUBB was successfully constructed and introduced into <em>L. lactis</em> NZ9000, with optimal peptide expression achieved following Nisin induction (20 ng/mL, 6 h). NZ-BB demonstrated stable plasmid maintenance, high expression levels, and no detectable metabolic burden. <em>In vivo</em> trials using BALB/c murine and 817 strain avian models showed that NZ-BB enhanced body weight gain, supported immune organ development, and improved intestinal barrier integrity through upregulation of tight junction proteins (occludin, claudin-1, ZO-1) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (TGF-β, IL-4), while reducing pro-inflammatory markers (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-17a). Importantly, oral administration of NZ-BB significantly reduced intestinal and systemic <em>Salmonella</em> burdens, mitigated tissue damage, and restored immune balance in both mice and chicks. Furthermore, NZ-BB regulated the expression of innate immune receptors (e.g., NLRC3) and matrix metalloproteinases (e.g., MMP-1), highlighting its immunomodulatory potential. These results underscore the dual probiotic and antimicrobial functionality of NZ-BB and support its potential use as a food-safe microbial agent to improve animal health and reduce the risk of <em>Salmonella</em> contamination in the food chain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106507"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The antioxidant function of Piper sarmentosum Roxb. alcoholic extract in heat-stressed broilers","authors":"Khaled Abouelezz ,&nbsp;Luli Zhou ,&nbsp;Mohamed Abdelhameed Mohamed Sayed ,&nbsp;Ahmed Khalaf Hassan ,&nbsp;Abdelmotaleb Elokil ,&nbsp;Ashraf Mohamed Abdelmalek ,&nbsp;Wael A. Omar ,&nbsp;Esmat Farouk Ali ,&nbsp;Guanyu Hou ,&nbsp;Dingfa Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106505","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106505","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the effects of dietary <em>Piper sarmentosum</em> leaf extract (<strong>PSE</strong>) on the antioxidant capacity, immunity, jejunal morphology, meat quality, and performance of broilers exposed to high ambient temperatures. A total of 240 one-day-old Cobb-500 male broilers were distributed into 20 floor pens and randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with five replicates each (12 birds/replicate). Treatment 1 (<strong>TN-control</strong>) was fed a basal diet (<strong>BD</strong>) and kept under thermoneutral conditions. Treatment 2 (<strong>HS-control</strong>) was fed the BD and exposed to cyclic heat stress (<strong>HS)</strong> from d 22 to 35. Treatments 3 and 4 were subjected to the same HS regime but were fed the BD supplemented with 100 (<strong>PSE100</strong>) or 300 (<strong>PSE300</strong>) mg PSE/kg diet from d 1 to 35. Though growth performance parameters were less affected, the HS-control, compared to the TN-control, exhibited lower IgY levels, reduced antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus (<strong>NDV</strong>), and decreased activities of catalase (<strong>CAT</strong>) and glutathione peroxidase (<strong>GPx</strong>). Heat stress also increased serum malondialdehyde (<strong>MDA</strong>) concentrations by 8 % and reduced superoxide dismutase (<strong>SOD</strong>) activity and IgM contents by 8.8 % and 17.6 %, respectively. PSE supplementation effectively reversed these impairments, restoring antioxidant enzyme (CAT, SOD, and GPx) activities and enhancing serum immunoglobulins and NDV antibody titers to levels comparable to or exceeding the TN-control. The results indicate that PSE at an inclusion level of 100 mg/kg serves as an effective natural feed supplement for enhancing antioxidant capacity and immune function in heat-stressed broilers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106505"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Brefeldin A inhibits duck plague virus replication by impairing virion envelopment","authors":"Xuetong Wang ,&nbsp;Bin Tian ,&nbsp;Zaihui Liu ,&nbsp;Dongjie Cai ,&nbsp;Yanming Tian ,&nbsp;Mingshu Wang ,&nbsp;Ying Wu ,&nbsp;Qiao Yang ,&nbsp;Shaqiu Zhang ,&nbsp;Dekang Zhu ,&nbsp;Mafeng Liu ,&nbsp;Xinxin Zhao ,&nbsp;Di Sun ,&nbsp;Juan Huang ,&nbsp;Xumin Ou ,&nbsp;Zhen Wu ,&nbsp;Yu He ,&nbsp;Renyong Jia ,&nbsp;Shun Chen ,&nbsp;Anchun Cheng","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106509","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106509","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Duck plague virus (DPV) is the causative agent of duck plague (DP), an acute and highly fatal disease that inflicts substantial economic losses in the waterfowl industry. The virus acquires its envelope from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus during virion assembly. Currently, there are no specific antiviral drugs available, making the development of novel anti-DPV drugs critically important. Brefeldin A (BFA) is an antibiotic known to disrupt endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi transport and inhibit the replication of various enveloped viruses. However, its inhibitory effect and mechanism on DPV infection remain unclear. Our study demonstrates that BFA effectively inhibits DPV replication in duck embryo fibroblast (DEF) cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Time-addition and antiviral duration analysis revealed that BFA mainly exerts therapeutic inhibitory effects after viral infection, and its effect is most significant within 48 hours after infection. Further investigation indicated that BFA does not affect the classical stages of the DPV life cycle, including viral adsorption, endocytosis, genome replication, or release. Instead, it significantly suppresses direct cell-to-cell spread. Mechanistic studies showed that BFA disrupts the normal subcellular localization and punctate distribution of the viral tegument protein UL51 and the envelope glycoprotein gC (encoded by UL44), causing their dispersion throughout the cytoplasm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further confirmed that BFA leads to the accumulation of numerous DPV nucleocapsids in the nucleus, with unenveloped viral particles observed at the nuclear membrane. Meanwhile, the number of mature, enveloped virions in the cytoplasm was markedly reduced. In conclusion, BFA can significantly inhibit the replication of DPV in DEF cells and is a potent antiviral drug targeting DPV.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106509"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Productive and morphological responses of japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) supplemented with phytase superdosing at different temperatures","authors":"Raiane dos Santos Silva ,&nbsp;Apolônio Gomes Ribeiro ,&nbsp;Adiel Vieira de Lima ,&nbsp;Paloma Eduarda Lopes de Souza ,&nbsp;Edijanio Galdino da Silva ,&nbsp;Isabelle Naemi Kaneko ,&nbsp;Cleber Franklin Santos de Oliveira ,&nbsp;Carlos Henrique do Nascimento ,&nbsp;Dayane Albuquerque da Silva ,&nbsp;Fernando Guilherme Perazzo da Costa ,&nbsp;Edilson Paes Saraiva ,&nbsp;Lucas Rannier Ribeiro Antonino Carvalho ,&nbsp;Ricardo Romão Guerra","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106508","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106508","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the effects of phytase superdosing in the diet of Japanese quails subjected to different thermal conditions on productive performance, egg characteristics, intestinal morphometry, and physiological parameters. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design in a 5 × 3 factorial arrangement, consisting of five phytase levels (0, 500, 1000, 1500, and 3000 FTU/kg) and three temperatures (24, 30, and 36°C), with six replicates of eight birds each. The performance variables evaluated included feed intake, egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion per egg mass, and feed conversion per dozen eggs. Egg quality was assessed by yolk color, shell thickness, specific gravity, Haugh units, and proportions of yolk, albumen, and shell. Spleen, liver, heart, and abdominal fat weights were also measured, along with duodenum and jejunum morphometry. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, Tukey’s test, and regression analysis. Birds kept at 36°C showed lower feed intake compared with those maintained at 24 and 30°C (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), with no significant effect of phytase on performance. Supplementation with 1500 FTU increased eggshell thickness at 36°C (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). A temperature × phytase interaction was observed for liver weight (<em>p</em> = 0.010), whereas heart weight was higher at 24°C compared with 36°C (<em>P</em> = 0.005). The effects of phytase on duodenal morphometry were temperature-dependent, with the greatest absorptive area observed with 3000 FTU at 30°C (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). The temperature of 24°C resulted in the best morphological parameters and the lowest hepatic glycogen index. It is concluded that although quails tolerate temperatures of 36°C, the best productive responses occur at 30°C. Therefore, the use of 1000 to 1500 FTU is recommended, as these levels provided benefits to intestinal morphometry and egg quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106508"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Curcumin- and capsaicin-loaded nanoemulsions improve oxidative stress, intestinal morphology, and feed efficiency in slow-growing Korat chickens under high stocking density","authors":"Wichuta Khosinklang ,&nbsp;Pramin Kaewsatuan ,&nbsp;Piyaradtana Homyok ,&nbsp;Mutyarsih Oryza ,&nbsp;Nitipol Chainet ,&nbsp;Teerapong Yata ,&nbsp;Naiyaphat Nittayasut ,&nbsp;Pakpoom Boonchuen ,&nbsp;Amonrat Molee ,&nbsp;Tom E. Porter ,&nbsp;Wittawat Molee","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106513","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106513","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the effects of curcumin (<strong>CUR</strong>)- and capsaicin (<strong>CAP</strong>)- loaded nanoemulsion on blood biochemical changes, oxidative status, jejunal morphology, inflammatory parameters, and performance of slow-growing Korat chickens (<strong>KRC</strong>) raised under high stocking density (<strong>HSD</strong>). A total of 480 male KRC (21 d of age) were allocated into four groups: (1) HSD without supplementation, (2) normal stocking density (<strong>NSD</strong>) without supplementation, (3) HSD supplemented with CUR and CAP in powdered form (<strong>P-CUR+CAP</strong>), and (4) HSD supplemented with CUR- and CAP-loaded nanoemulsions (<strong>NE-CUR+CAP</strong>). Chickens receiving NE-CUR+CAP showed no adverse changes in liver or kidney function compared with other groups. The heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was reduced in NE-CUR+CAP group relative to HSD group and was comparable with NSD and P-CUR+CAP groups (P &lt; 0.05). NE-CUR+CAP also lowered levels of TBA in the liver and jejunum while enhancing hepatic superoxide dismutase activity compared with HSD group (P &lt; 0.05). Villus height, villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, anti-inflammatory response, and cecal <em>Lactobacillus</em> counts were improved, whereas crypt depth and cecal <em>Escherichia coli</em> were reduced in the NE-CUR+CAP group (P &lt; 0.05). Although feed intake, BW, and body weight gain were not affected, the feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in NE-CUR+CAP compared with HSD group (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, NE-CUR+CAP mitigated oxidative stress and inflammation, improved intestinal health, and enhanced feed efficiency in slow-growing chickens raised under HSD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106513"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080530","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrated genomics and metabolomics analysis revealed the metabolic mechanisms by which genetic variations affect the growth performance of local chickens","authors":"Xiaoling Yang ,&nbsp;Xiaoxia Long ,&nbsp;Yongxian Yang ,&nbsp;Liqi Wang ,&nbsp;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}

{"title":"Population genomic analysis of Weining chicken via dd-RAD sequencing: Unraveling diversity, structure, and selective sweeps","authors":"Zhaobi Ai ,&nbsp;Zhonglong Zhao ,&nbsp;Xiben Zhang ,&nbsp;Runqian Yang ,&nbsp;Yong Zhang ,&nbsp;Zelin Chen ,&nbsp;Weibo Li ,&nbsp;Yixing Ou ,&nbsp;Lanying Lei ,&nbsp;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 &lt; 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}

{"title":"Gelsemium elegans extract powder alleviates high stocking density-related adverse effects in broilers via immune-intestinal microbiota synergistic mechanisms","authors":"Xiao-qing Xu ,&nbsp;Yi-rong Wang ,&nbsp;Dan-dan Guo ,&nbsp;Yu-qing Zhou ,&nbsp;Jiang-yu Long ,&nbsp;Zhao-Ying Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106511","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106511","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to investigate the effects of different doses of <em>Gelsemium elegans</em> extract powder (GEE) on broilers under high stocking density (HSD). A total of 78 one-day-old male yellow-feathered broilers were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups: normal stocking density (NSD), HSD, HSD + 0.06% GEE, HSD + 0.12% GEE, and HSD + 0.6% GEE. The results showed that HSD impaired broiler growth and physiological functions. Dietary supplementation with 0.06% GEE (200 mg/kg diet <em>Gelsemium elegans</em> extract) significantly improved growth performance (marked increases in body weight, average daily feed intake, and average daily gain), reversed immune organ inhibition (evidenced by significantly increased weight and index of the spleen and bursa of Fabricius), reduced serum corticosterone levels, repaired intestinal structural damage, and corrected intestinal flora imbalance (with a decreased <em>Firmicutes</em>/<em>Bacteroidetes</em> ratio) (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). However, medium and high doses of GEE (0.12% and 0.6%, 400 and 2000 mg/kg diet <em>Gelsemium elegans</em> extract) inhibited broiler growth by inducing abnormal expression of myostatin. Therefore, 0.06% GEE (200 mg/kg diet <em>Gelsemium elegans</em> extract) was identified as an effective and safe dose under the current experimental conditions. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 0.06% GEE (200 mg/kg diet <em>Gelsemium elegans</em> extract) can effectively improve broiler growth performance and physiological functions under HSD, and its mechanism involves reducing serum corticosterone levels, enhancing immune function, repairing intestinal morphological damage, and correcting intestinal flora imbalance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106511"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","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}

{"title":"Regulation of skeletal muscle development and metabolism in broiler chickens by Urolithin A through threonine kinase 1 pathway activation","authors":"Liuting Wu ,&nbsp;Leilei Peng ,&nbsp;Xiaoling Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106502","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psj.2026.106502","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Broiler skeletal muscle dysplasia is characterized by impaired muscle fiber hypertrophy and satellite cell dysfunction, leading to reduced meat yield and increased feed conversion rates, resulting in significant economic losses. With the impending global ban on β-adrenergic agonists, developing effective natural alternative treatments is an urgent requirement. Urolithin A (UA), a tannic acid metabolite derived from the gut microbiota, promotes muscle synthetic metabolism in mammals; however, its underlying mechanism in poultry remains unclear. We integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and primary chicken skeletal muscle satellite cell (SMSC) culture experiments. A network pharmacology analysis identified threonine kinase1 (Akt1) as a key core target regulated by UA in muscle dysplasia. Further, KEGG enrichment analysis revealed differential clustering in the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)–Akt1, forkhead box protein O1, and mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling pathways. Molecular docking revealed that UA stably binds to the Akt1 protein (Binding energy: -7.7 kcal/mol), stabilized by hydrophobic interactions with Val164 and Met281. The key binding site for UA exhibits high conservation (96% homology) between mammalian and avian species. The 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation confirmed the stability of the complex. These findings indicate that the Akt1 pathway is closely associated with the protective role of uric acid in broiler muscle dysplasia. Primary skeletal muscle satellite cell experiments demonstrated that during SMSC proliferation, 50 μM UA upregulates mRNA levels of <em>Akt1, mTORC1</em>, and <em>forkhead box O1</em>, while enhancing the expression of myogenic differentiation 1 and myogenin during both proliferation and differentiation (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). In addition, Akt1 and phosphorylated Akt1 protein levels upregulated (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), confirming pathway activation. 50 μM UA regulates glucose metabolism by upregulating (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) and downregulating (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (proliferation/differentiation) mRNA levels and fructose-6-phosphate kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (differentiation) mRNA levels, respectively, thereby optimizing glycolysis-oxidation balance. Our research shows that UA influences skeletal muscle satellite cells proliferation and differentiation through the Akt1 pathway and alters glucose metabolism at different stages. As a natural, residue-free compound, it holds promise for enhancing skeletal muscle growth in broilers, supporting the shift towards antibiotic-free poultry. Further animal studies are needed to confirm these in vitro results.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20459,"journal":{"name":"Poultry Science","volume":"105 4","pages":"Article 106502"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","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}