Trends and Outlooks in Poultry Nutrition

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 7543

Special Issue Editors

Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Interests: poultry products; gastrointestinal and reproductive tract health; nutrition regulation techniques
Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Interests: feed additives; broiler intestinal health
Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
Interests: intestinal health; meat quality of poultry
Institute of Feed Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
Interests: poultry nutrition and feed resources

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The purpose of animal production is to produce high-quality animal products efficiently. Currently, poultry nutriology has entered the new stage of the study on precise nutrition supply technologies, including dynamic nutrient requirements, low protein diets, new functional feed additives, etc., which contribute to advance the quality and efficiency of production. Upon nutriology, gastrointestinal and reproductive health is crucial to the quantity and quality of poultry product outputs. Therefore, the research on the theory or nutrition regulation techniques of improving food intake, promoting the development and health of digestive and reproductive tract, and stabilizing intestinal flora have become a hot spot. The goal of the Special Issue, “Interactions between the Poultry Products and Efficient Nutrition Regulation Techniques of Gastrointestinal Tract and Reproductive Tract” is focus on how nutrition regulation techniques interact the output efficiency of poultry products with each other from the perspective of gastrointestinal and reproductive tract health, and the underlying mechanism of their interactions.

Dr. Zengpeng Lv
Dr. Yueping Chen
Dr. Zehe Song
Dr. Kai Qiu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nutrition
  • poultry products
  • gastrointestinal and reproductive tract health

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 2225 KiB  
Article
Supplementing Genistein for Breeder Hens Alters the Growth Performance and Intestinal Health of Offspring
by Mingkun Gao, Jiao Wang and Zengpeng Lv
Life 2023, 13(7), 1468; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13071468 - 28 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 896
Abstract
Recent research revealed that dietary genistein supplementation for breeder hens can improve the immune function of offspring chicks. However, it remains unknown whether this maternal effect could improve the intestinal health of offspring. This study was conducted to explore the mechanism involved in [...] Read more.
Recent research revealed that dietary genistein supplementation for breeder hens can improve the immune function of offspring chicks. However, it remains unknown whether this maternal effect could improve the intestinal health of offspring. This study was conducted to explore the mechanism involved in the maternal effect of genistein on the intestinal mucosa and microbial homeostasis of chicken offspring. A total of 120 Qiling breeder hens were fed a basal diet, a 20 mg/kg genistein-supplemented diet, or a 40 mg/kg genistein-supplemented diet for 4 weeks before collecting their eggs. After hatching, 180 male offspring (60 chickens from each group) were randomly selected and divided into three groups: (1) the offspring of hens fed a basal diet (CON); (2) the offspring of hens fed a low-dose genistein-supplemented diet (LGE); (3) the offspring of hens fed a high-dose genistein-supplemented diet (HGE). At 17 d, 72 male offspring (48 chickens from CON and 24 chickens from LGE) were divided into three groups: (1) the offspring of hens fed a basal diet (CON); (2) the CON group challenged with LPS (LPS); (3) the LGE group challenged with LPS (LPS + LGE). The results showed that maternal genistein supplementation increased the birth weight and serum level of total protein (TP), followed by improved intestinal villus morphology. Continuously, the maternal effect on the body weight of chicks lasted until 21 d. Additionally, it was observed that maternal genistein supplementation exhibited protective effects against LPS-induced morphological damage and intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction by upregulating the expression of tight junction proteins, specifically ZO-1, Claudin1, E-cadherin, and Occludin, at 21 d. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we demonstrated that maternal supplementation of genistein has the potential to facilitate the maturation of newly hatched chicken offspring by enhancing the abundance of Escherichia coli. Additionally, maternal genistein supplementation can effectively reduce the abundance of Gammaproteobacteria, thus mitigating the risk of bacterial diversity impairment of LPS. In light of these findings, maternal genistein supplementation holds promise as a potential strategy for ameliorating intestinal mucosal damage and modulating the microbiome in chicken offspring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends and Outlooks in Poultry Nutrition)
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10 pages, 1173 KiB  
Article
Investigations of Ascorbic Acid Synthesis and Distribution in Broiler Tissues at Different Post-Hatch Days
by Liping Gan, Yifeng Zhao, Peng Wang, Chenkai Zhao, Yilei Li, Weihao Huang, Liuying Shi, Yaoming Cui, Hanzhen Qiao, Jinrong Wang and Yuming Guo
Life 2023, 13(5), 1137; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13051137 - 06 May 2023
Viewed by 1300
Abstract
Ascorbic acid (AA) is an indispensable nutrient required to sustain optimal poultry health and performance, which is commonly excluded from the diet of broilers. To investigate the synthesis and distribution of AA during broiler growth and clarify its possible turnover, 144 1 d [...] Read more.
Ascorbic acid (AA) is an indispensable nutrient required to sustain optimal poultry health and performance, which is commonly excluded from the diet of broilers. To investigate the synthesis and distribution of AA during broiler growth and clarify its possible turnover, 144 1 d old healthy Arbor Acres broilers with a body weight of approximately 41 g were randomly assigned to eight groups of 18 broilers each. The kidney, liver, ileum, and spleen of one bird from each group were collected every week until 42 d to detect the synthesis capacity, tissue distribution, and transporter gene expression of AA. The results showed that kidney L-gulonolactone oxidase (GLO) activity responded quadratically (p < 0.001), with maximum activity observed at 7 to 21 d old. Hepatic total AA and dehydroascrobate (DHA) concentration increased linearly (p < 0.001) with age, as did splenic total AA (p < 0.001). In the ileum, mRNA expression of sodium vitamin C transporter 1/2 (SVCT1/2) decreased with the growing age of the broilers (p < 0.05). The expression of SVCT1 in the kidney was not influenced by the growing age of the broilers. The progressive buildup of AA in the liver and spleen of broilers as they age implies an amplified demand for this nutrient. The waning synthesis capacity over time, however, raises concerns regarding the possible inadequacy of AA in the latter growth phase of broilers. The addition of AA to the broilers’ diet might have the potential to optimize their performance. However, the effectiveness of such dietary supplementation requires further investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends and Outlooks in Poultry Nutrition)
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17 pages, 4343 KiB  
Article
Effects of Vitamin A on Immune Responses and Vitamin A Metabolism in Broiler Chickens Challenged with Necrotic Enteritis
by Shuangshuang Guo, Lai He, Yuanke Zhang, Junlong Niu, Changwu Li, Zhengfan Zhang, Peng Li and Binying Ding
Life 2023, 13(5), 1122; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13051122 - 01 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1837
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis (NE) is an important enteric inflammatory disease of poultry, and the effects of vitamin A (VitA) on NE birds are largely unknown. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of VitA on the immune responses and VitA metabolism of [...] Read more.
Necrotic enteritis (NE) is an important enteric inflammatory disease of poultry, and the effects of vitamin A (VitA) on NE birds are largely unknown. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of VitA on the immune responses and VitA metabolism of NE broilers as well as the underlying mechanisms. Using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, 336 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 7 replicates. Broilers in the control (Ctrl) group were fed a basal diet without extra VitA supplementation. Broilers in the VitA group were fed a basal diet supplemented with 12,000 IU/kg of VitA. Birds in NE and VitA + NE groups were fed corresponding diets and, in addition, co-infected with Eimeria spp. and Clostridium perfringens on days 14 to 20. Samples of the blood, jejunum, spleen and liver were obtained on day 28 for analysis, and meanwhile, lesion scores were also recorded. The results showed that NE challenge increased lesion score in the jejunum and decreased serum glucose, total glyceride, calcium, phosphorus and uric acid levels (p < 0.05). VitA supplementation reduced the levels of serum phosphorus, uric acid and alkaline phosphatase in NE-challenged birds and increased serum low-density lipoprotein content and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase (p < 0.05). Compared with the Ctrl group, the VitA and NE groups had higher mRNA expression of interferon-γ in the jejunum (p < 0.05). NE challenge up-regulated mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-13, transforming growth factor-β4, aldehyde dehydrogenase (RALDH)-2 and RALDH-3 in the jejunum, while VitA supplementation increased jejunal IL-13 mRNA expression and hepatic VitA content, but down-regulated splenic IL-13 mRNA expression (p < 0.05). The VitA + NE group had higher serum prostaglandin E2 levels and the Ctrl group had higher splenic RALDH-3 mRNA expression than that of the other three groups (p < 0.05). NE challenge up-regulated jejunal retinoic acid receptor (RAR)-β and retinoid X receptor (RXR)-α as well as splenic RAR-α and RAR-β mRNA expression (p < 0.05). VitA supplementation up-regulated jejunal RAR-β expression but down-regulated mRNA expression of RXR-α, RXR-γ, signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) 5 and STAT6 in the spleen (p < 0.05). Moreover, compared with the Ctrl group, the VitA and NE groups had down-regulated mRNA expression of jejunal and splenic Janus kinase (JAK) 1 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, NE challenge induced jejunal injury and expression of Th2 and Treg cell-related cytokines and enhanced RALDH and RAR/RXR mRNA expression, mainly in the jejunum of broilers. VitA supplementation did not alleviate jejunal injury or Th2 cell-related cytokine expression; however, it improved hepatic VitA deposition and inhibited the expression of RALDH-3, RXR and the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in the spleen of broilers. In short, the present study suggested the modulatory effects of vitamin A on the immune responses and vitamin A metabolism in broiler chickens challenged with necrotic enteritis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends and Outlooks in Poultry Nutrition)
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18 pages, 2639 KiB  
Article
Effects of Bacillus subtilis Natto NB205 and Its Mutant NBMK308 on Egg Quality in Aging Laying Hens
by Chaoyong Liao, Jian Cui, Jiaqi Lei, Yuming Guo and Bingkun Zhang
Life 2023, 13(5), 1109; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13051109 - 29 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1504
Abstract
In aging laying hens, reproductive changes reduce egg quality. Bacillus subtilis natto (B. subtilis) is a versatile bacterium with high vitamin K2 content, providing health benefits for animals and humans. This study investigated the effect of B. subtilis natto NB205 and [...] Read more.
In aging laying hens, reproductive changes reduce egg quality. Bacillus subtilis natto (B. subtilis) is a versatile bacterium with high vitamin K2 content, providing health benefits for animals and humans. This study investigated the effect of B. subtilis natto NB205 and its mutant NBMK308 on egg quality in aging laying hens. Results showed that NB205 and NBMK308 supplementation significantly improved albumen height (p < 0.001), Haugh units (p < 0.05), and eggshell thickness (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. Supplementation also increased ovalbumin expression, regulated tight junction (TJ) proteins, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and improved the health and productivity of aging laying hens by regulating key apoptosis-related genes in the magnum part of the oviduct. There were differences in the expression of vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDPs) in the magnum between NB205 and NBMK308, but no significant differences in the improvement of egg quality. Supplementation with NB205 and NBMK308 can improve egg quality in aging laying hens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends and Outlooks in Poultry Nutrition)
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12 pages, 273 KiB  
Article
Free-Choice Feeding of Whole Grains Improves Meat Quality and Intestinal Development of Pigeon Squabs Compared with Complete Pelleted Feed
by Tingwu Liu, Liuxiong Wang, Xiaoyun Jiang, Ying Liu, Enjie Diao and Peng Xie
Life 2023, 13(3), 848; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13030848 - 21 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1168
Abstract
Effects of different feeding strategies on meat quality and intestinal development in pigeon squabs were investigated. 120 pairs of pigeons with two squabs each were assigned to five groups (four free-choice feeding systems and one complete feeding system): T1 (corn, pea, wheat, and [...] Read more.
Effects of different feeding strategies on meat quality and intestinal development in pigeon squabs were investigated. 120 pairs of pigeons with two squabs each were assigned to five groups (four free-choice feeding systems and one complete feeding system): T1 (corn, pea, wheat, and pelleted feed), T2 (corn, wheat, and pelleted feed), T3 (corn, pea, and pelleted feed), T4 (corn and pelleted feed), and T5 (complete pelleted feed). Compared with T5, the diet in T4 made the breast meat redder and more yellow (p < 0.05). T2 and T4 resulted in an enhanced total superoxide dismutase activity of meat. Breast muscle in T1 and T2 was determined to have higher contents of nonessential amino acids, glycine, alanine, and glutamic acid (p < 0.05). The contents of the essential amino acids, lysine, threonine, valine, histidine, and arginine were also higher in T1 (p < 0.05). Villus height, surface area, and alkaline phosphatase activity of the duodenum and jejunum in T2 were the highest among the treatments (p < 0.05). In conclusion, free-choice feeding system can improve the meat quality and intestinal development of pigeon squabs, but which combination method of whole grains to use in the production depends on the feeding purpose. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends and Outlooks in Poultry Nutrition)
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