{"title":"Estimation of Apparent Metabolizable Energy of Dried Okara Meal in Broiler Chickens.","authors":"Bagus H Wicaksono, Akemi Yamamoto","doi":"10.2141/jpsa.2025026","DOIUrl":"10.2141/jpsa.2025026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Metabolizable energy is a key information when formulating chicken feed. The present study employed chemical analysis data and <i>in vitro</i> digestibility values to investigate the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) of dried okara, a soybean byproduct, in broiler chickens. A total of 105 male Ross-308 broiler chickens were fed dehulled rice-soybean meal-based diets containing 0%, 10%, and 20% okara derived from either tofu or soymilk. The proximate composition, neutral detergent fiber content, acid detergent fiber (ADF) content, and <i>in vitro</i> energy digestibility of okara were analyzed. The <i>in vitro</i> digestibility of okara was influenced by particle size, with 0.5-mm samples showing higher digestibility than 1.0-mm samples. Soymilk okara had a higher AME (3300 kcal/kg DM) than tofu okara (2827 kcal/kg DM), which was attributed to its lower ADF but higher protein content. To predict the AME of okara, we developed a stepwise regression model that combined the variables: ADF as X<sub>1</sub>, ether extract as X<sub>2</sub>, and the <i>in vitro</i> energy digestion rate from the 0.5-mm sample as X<sub>3</sub>. AME could be predicted with high accuracy using the following formula: Y = -14.12 X<sub>1</sub> + 20.98 X<sub>2</sub> + 32.42 X<sub>3</sub> + 1100.1 (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.99, P < 0.01), with minimal root mean square error.</p>","PeriodicalId":16883,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Poultry Science","volume":"62 ","pages":"2025026"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12443439/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145113451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Descriptive Sensory Analysis of Japanese <i>Jidori</i> Chicken (<i>Choshu-Kurokashiwa</i>) Thigh Meat: Sensory Attributes Distinguishing it from Broiler Chickens.","authors":"Shohei Murata","doi":"10.2141/jpsa.2025025","DOIUrl":"10.2141/jpsa.2025025","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to characterize the sensory attributes of Japanese <i>jidori</i> thigh meat, such as texture, odor, and flavor/taste, and to identify the instrumental parameters that distinguish it from commercial broiler chickens. Six chicken thigh meats were used: one <i>jidori-niku</i> (<i>Choshu-Kurokashiwa</i>, 14-week old) and five broilers-three Ross 308 (7, 7, 9-week old), one Hubbard ColorPac (10-week old), and one Hubbard RedBro (10-week old)-from different producers. Descriptive sensory analysis was conducted with a trained panel to establish a comprehensive sensory lexicon and quantify attribute intensities of thigh samples cooked in a steam convection oven at 185°C. Instrumental assessments included cooking loss, shear force value, pH, inosine-5'-monophosphate, free amino acid content, and fatty acid composition. <i>Choshu-Kurokashiwa</i> meat exhibited greater \"springiness\" and reduced \"tenderness\" (<i>p</i> < 0.001), along with higher shear force value (<i>p</i> < 0.001) than broiler meat. <i>Choshu-Kurokashiwa</i> meat received also the highest sensory scores for \"meaty odor,\" \"meaty flavor,\" \"umami taste,\" and \"aftertaste intensity.\" While <i>Choshu-Kurokashiwa</i> meat had lower free amino acid levels, it was enriched in arachidonic acid (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Principal component analysis revealed a clear separation between <i>Choshu-Kurokashiwa</i> meat and the five broilers in terms of \"springiness,\" \"tenderness,\" \"meaty flavor,\" \"light taste,\" \"umami taste,\" and \"aftertaste intensity.\" These results show that <i>Choshu-Kurokashiwa</i> meat possesses distinct texture and flavor/taste characteristics compared to commercial broiler meat.</p>","PeriodicalId":16883,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Poultry Science","volume":"62 ","pages":"2025025"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12409475/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145015624","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Expression, Localization, and Processing of Chicken Sperm ADAM32L2 during the Acrosome Reaction: A Possible Function in the Sperm-Egg Interaction.","authors":"Mohamad Shuib Bin Mohamad Mohtar, Rangga Setiawan, Maiko Kuwabara, Atsushi Asano","doi":"10.2141/jpsa.2025024","DOIUrl":"10.2141/jpsa.2025024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sperm-egg interactions involve a complex series of molecular events. Among these, the acrosome reaction (AR) is a prerequisite for sperm penetration, facilitating the exposure of multiple acrosomal proteins that enhance sperm binding or penetration of the outer layer of the egg; however, the specific molecules involved in this process vary across species. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) proteins are transmembrane glycoproteins that play a role in sperm-egg interactions, with notable differences among ADAM isoforms. In a previous characterization of the chicken sperm membrane proteome, ADAM32 metallopeptidase domain 32-like 2 (ADAM32L2), a protein structurally homologous to mammalian ADAMs, but absent in mammals, was identified. ADAM32L2 was located in the acrosomal region, underwent processing during the AR, similar to certain mammalian sperm ADAMs, and likely contributed to sperm binding to the inner perivitelline layer (IPVL) in chickens. Using various protease inhibitors, it was confirmed that sperm protease activity was involved in multiple stages of sperm interaction with the IPVL. Using a specific antibody, ADAM32L2 was predominantly expressed in the testis and localized to the sperm acrosomal region. Upon separation of the acrosome cap through an inherent AR process in chicken sperm, the 80 kDa acrosomal ADAM32L2 was processed into a 45 kDa C-terminal fragment during AR. Although zymography did not detect metalloproteinase activity in this fragment, a purified ADAM32L2 antibody inhibited sperm penetration of the IPVL, suggesting that the processed form was involved in IPVL binding. These findings elucidate the mechanism of sperm-IPVL interactions and offer new insights into the functional role of ADAM proteins in avian sperm.</p>","PeriodicalId":16883,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Poultry Science","volume":"62 ","pages":"2025024"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12396854/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144958475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ken R Ito, Tomonori Sato, Chihiro Osawa, Jun Watanabe, Hiroaki Hamaguchi, Takashi Matsuzaki, Hiroya Nakamura, Tatsuki R Kataoka, Takahiro Nii, Katsuyoshi Sato, Masaki Yokoo
{"title":"Sake Lees: A Potential Feed Ingredient to Enhance Intestinal Barrier Function in Indigenous Meat-type Chickens.","authors":"Ken R Ito, Tomonori Sato, Chihiro Osawa, Jun Watanabe, Hiroaki Hamaguchi, Takashi Matsuzaki, Hiroya Nakamura, Tatsuki R Kataoka, Takahiro Nii, Katsuyoshi Sato, Masaki Yokoo","doi":"10.2141/jpsa.2025023","DOIUrl":"10.2141/jpsa.2025023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Food loss and waste (FLW) is a serious problem worldwide. One proposed solution is to divert FLW to livestock feed. From the viewpoint of food mileage, it is increasingly recommended that the distance that food travels between the sites of production and consumption is as short as possible (the consumption of local food products). Sake, a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage, is produced in various regions of Japan. Sake lees, the leftover paste from sake production, is generated as a byproduct and has gained attention for its high nutritional value and potential as a functional food. Local sake lees was fed to meat-type chickens and its potential as a feed ingredient was evaluated. Experimental diets consisting of 20%, 30%, or 40% sake lees were produced by adding local sake lees to commercial feed. These were then fed to 3-week-old indigenous meat-type chickens for 2 weeks. Growth performance and expression of genes associated with intestinal barrier function were then analyzed. Body weight gain was identical between chickens fed any of the sake lees-supplemented diets and control chickens. Gastrointestinal structure was also not changed by sake lees-supplemented diets. Gene expression levels of claudin-5, cadherin1, occludin, avian beta-defensin 13 (AvBD13), and transforming growth factor-β1, which are related to intestinal barrier function, were higher in the group fed the 20% and 30% sake lees diets compared to those of the control group, but were similar between the group fed the 40% sake lees diet and those of the controls. Expression levels of AvBD1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 were also reduced in animals fed any of the three sake lees-supplemented diets. These results suggested that dietary supplementation with 20%-30% sake lees improved physical intestinal barrier function in indigenous meat-type chickens during short-term feeding.</p>","PeriodicalId":16883,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Poultry Science","volume":"62 ","pages":"2025023"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12390738/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144958460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Theresa M. Liegsalz, Sophia Blechschmidt, Mayra Heide, Uwe Blum, Florian Lehnhardt, Martina Gastl, Julia Steinhoff‐Wagner
{"title":"Characterization framework for broiler chicken’s bedding materials focusing on preventative health","authors":"Theresa M. Liegsalz, Sophia Blechschmidt, Mayra Heide, Uwe Blum, Florian Lehnhardt, Martina Gastl, Julia Steinhoff‐Wagner","doi":"10.1186/s44364-025-00009-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s44364-025-00009-y","url":null,"abstract":"Bedding materials have often been poorly characterized in multiple studies, although these studies have examined the impact of various bedding materials on the performance of broilers, their health status, and the environmental impact. The suggestions of less established bedding materials on the market are increasing independent of their characteristics. The objective of this study was to establish a standardized methodology for the characterization of bedding materials for broilers and to apply this to a range of collected bedding materials in order to support the transfer of existing scientific knowledge into practice. A total of 44 bedding materials were collected and categorized into five distinct groups (strawy material, woody material, pellets, damp material, and husks) and quantified using quantitative (volume and particle size), chemical (dry matter, raw ash, acid-insoluble ash, element analysis, mycotoxins), absorbency (water binding and water holding capacity), and acid-base balance parameters (pH and buffer capacity). A higher raw ash content and the elevated amount of some analyzed elements in the dry matter was found to result in a higher pH buffer capacity, while a higher proportion of medium particle size was associated with higher water holding capacity. Furthermore, the results indicated that the dry matter and absorbency capacity parameters should be examined on the original sized samples. The acid-base balance could be applied in both ground and original sized samples. Overall, an evaluation scheme could be implemented, for evaluation of bedding materials.","PeriodicalId":16883,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Poultry Science","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://poultrysciencemanagement.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s44364-025-00009-y","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147897379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fasting Induces Gene Expression of Insulin-like Growth Factor-binding Proteins in Skeletal Muscles of Chicks.","authors":"Asmaa S El-Far, Haruki Osada, Yumi Sakanashi, Takaoki Saneyasu, Kazuhisa Honda","doi":"10.2141/jpsa.2025022","DOIUrl":"10.2141/jpsa.2025022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In mammals, evidence suggests that insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) affect skeletal muscle growth in an autocrine and paracrine manner. In the present study, fasting induced significant transcriptional changes in IGFBP genes in the skeletal muscles of layer and broiler chickens. Twelve hours of fasting significantly increased mRNA levels of IGFBP-1 in the biceps femoris (BF; largest skeletal muscle in the thigh) of both chicken types. mRNA levels of IGFBP-2 in both the pectoralis major (PM; breast muscle) and the BF significantly increased in layer chicks and tended to increase in broiler chicks. Fasting significantly decreased mRNA levels of IGFBP-3 in the BF and PM of both chicken type. mRNA levels of IGFBP-4 and -5 differed responses in the PM and BF of layer and broiler chicks. mRNA levels of most IGFBP genes were not affected by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in chicken embryonic myotubes, suggesting that skeletal muscle IGFBPs were transcriptionally regulated in an IGF-1-independent manner. Overall, these findings suggested that IGFBP-1, -2, and -3, which were expressed in skeletal muscles, played conserved roles in layer and broiler chicks.</p>","PeriodicalId":16883,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Poultry Science","volume":"62 ","pages":"2025022"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12326139/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144817026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qingyun Cao, Yaru Song, Jiarong Fang, Zemin Dong, Changming Zhang, Hui Ye, Jianjun Zuo, Weiwei Wang
{"title":"Xylooligosaccharide Supplementation Mitigates Growth Performance Impairment and Intestinal Injuries in Enterohemorrhagic <i>Escherichia coli</i>-Challenged Broilers.","authors":"Qingyun Cao, Yaru Song, Jiarong Fang, Zemin Dong, Changming Zhang, Hui Ye, Jianjun Zuo, Weiwei Wang","doi":"10.2141/jpsa.2025021","DOIUrl":"10.2141/jpsa.2025021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Xylooligosaccharide (XOS) is a typical prebiotic; however, whether it protects chickens from enterohemorrhagic <i>Escherichia coli</i> (EHEC) challenge remains unknown. This study investigated the protective effects of XOS on the growth and gut health of EHEC-challenged broilers. A total of 270 1-day-old broilers were divided into three groups (nine replicates per group): negative control (were not challenged), positive control (EHEC-challenged from days 8 to 11), and XOS (EHEC-challenged broilers supplemented with 1.6 g/kg XOS). Samples were collected from broilers at 14 days. XOS addition alleviated EHEC-induced decline in growth performance, liver index, and the villus height:crypt depth ratio in both the duodenum and ileum of broilers. XOS also attenuated the increase in the relative mRNA expression of the ileal proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 and the tight junction protein occludin in EHEC-challenged broilers. Microbiota analysis revealed that EHEC challenge reduced or tended to reduce the abundance of several beneficial bacteria (such as Firmicutes, <i>Fournierella</i>, and <i>Lysinibacillus</i>) and increased or tended to increase the abundance of multiple harmful bacteria (such as Proteobacteria, <i>Aquabacterium</i>, <i>Methylotenera</i>, and <i>Arthrobacter</i>) in the ileum. However, XOS addition mitigated these changes and downregulated or tended to downregulate certain disease-related pathways of the ileal microbiota. In conclusion, XOS supplementation mitigated poor growth performance and intestinal damage in EHEC-challenged broilers, and was probably involved in the attenuation of gut microbiota disturbances that might protect against EHEC infection. These findings provide a basis for the application of XOS to limit the risk of EHEC infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":16883,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Poultry Science","volume":"62 ","pages":"2025021"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12303608/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144760413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of Water Salinity, Dietary Potassium Carbonate, Vitamin D<sub>3</sub> Levels, and Vitamin D<sub>3</sub> Form (1α-Hydroxycholecalciferol) on Calcium and Phosphorus Digestibility and Tibia Bone Properties in Broilers.","authors":"Hossein Esmaeili, Farzad Bagherzadeh-Kasmani, Saeed Khalaji, Hossein N Younesi, Mahmood Ghazaghi","doi":"10.2141/jpsa.2025020","DOIUrl":"10.2141/jpsa.2025020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to assess the joint impact of water salinity, K<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>, vitamin D<sub>3</sub> levels, and inclusion of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol (1αOHD3) on broiler tibiae. A total of 1200 one-day-old male Ross broiler chickens were given four different levels of vitamin D<sub>3</sub> (2000, 5000, 7000, and 5000 IU + 20 µg/kg 1αOHD<sub>3</sub>), three levels of water salinity (WS) (low, moderate, high), and two concentrations of K<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> (0 and 2.5 g/kg). Supplementation with 1αOHD<sub>3</sub> reduced body weight and increased the feed conversion ratio throughout the experimental period. Birds consuming water with low salinity up to 21 days of age presented significantly lower body weight and feed intake, but a higher feed conversion ratio. Water consumption was reduced by increasing WS during the first week, but increased during the grower and finisher periods. K<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> lowered water consumption. Higher WS increased litter moisture by 35% and 27% at 14 and 28 days of age, along with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, but reduced plasma Ca, P, and K. Inclusion of K<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> lowered plasma Ca, P, and ALP activity at 14 days, but increased plasma K. Apparent total tract retention (TTR) of P decreased by increasing D<sub>3</sub> levels and adding 1αOHD<sub>3</sub> on day 14. Increasing WS linearly decreased TTR of P on day 14 and TTR of Ca and P on day 28, causing a significant loss of tibia ash, Ca, and P. Tibial shear force was reduced by increasing dietary D<sub>3</sub> on day 28. Tibial shear force and stress were decreased, while its elongation was improved, by increasing WS at 14 days of age. In conclusion, high WS lowered bird weight gain, increased water consumption and litter moisture, and reduced TTR of Ca and P, which significantly diminished tibia ash, Ca, and P, as well as tibial mechanical properties.</p>","PeriodicalId":16883,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Poultry Science","volume":"62 ","pages":"2025020"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12268207/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Expression of Olfactory Sense-Related Genes in Chicken Olfactory Epithelium.","authors":"Kazushi Koyama, Fuminori Kawabata","doi":"10.2141/jpsa.2025019","DOIUrl":"10.2141/jpsa.2025019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Olfaction plays a key role in the selection and acquisition of feed as well as its vision and gustation. Although olfactory behavior in chickens is speculated to depend on olfactory receptors, trace-amine-associated receptors (TAARs), and its signaling pathway, insufficient information is available regarding the expression of these molecules in chicken olfactory epithelium. Here, we investigated whether genes encoding representative olfactory receptors, TAARs, and olfactory signaling pathway molecules were expressed in this tissue. Based on real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis, we confirmed the expression of 18 olfactory receptors, three TAARs, and six signaling pathway genes, suggesting that chickens possess molecular mechanisms for capturing odorants and transducing olfactory signals.</p>","PeriodicalId":16883,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Poultry Science","volume":"62 ","pages":"2025019"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12266935/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Takahiro Nii, Takumi Sugiura, Naoki Suzuki, Naoki Isobe, Yukinori Yoshimura
{"title":"Effects of Aging on the Microbiota and Inflammatory Status of the Intestinal and Oviductal Mucosa in Laying Hens.","authors":"Takahiro Nii, Takumi Sugiura, Naoki Suzuki, Naoki Isobe, Yukinori Yoshimura","doi":"10.2141/jpsa.2025018","DOIUrl":"10.2141/jpsa.2025018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aging and inflammation of the intestinal and oviductal mucosa reduce egg production in laying hens. In mammals, microbiota changes in the intestine and reproductive mucosa are linked to aging and mucosal inflammation, but this relationship remains unclear in hens. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of aging on microbiota and inflammation in the intestinal and oviductal mucosa of hens. Sixteen White Leghorn hens aged ~280 days (young) and ~730 days (aged) were used. Bacterial DNA was extracted from feces and vaginal swabs for 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Intestinal (ileum and cecum) and oviductal (uterus and vagina) tissues were processed for histological analysis. Real-time PCR was performed to profile pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, tight junction-related molecules, and calbindin in the uterus. Whereas microbial diversity and composition in the vagina did not change with age; alpha-diversity of intestinal bacteria was lower in the aged group, as suggested by 46 genera showing a decrease and five an increase. The morphology of the ileum mucosa deteriorated, with transforming growth factor (<i>TGF</i>)<i>β3</i> being upregulated and claudin (<i>CLA</i>)<i>3</i> being downregulated in the intestine of the aged group. Finally, fibrosis progressed with age in the uterine mucosa, along with overexpression of <i>IL-1β</i>, <i>TGFβ3</i>, <i>TGFβ4</i>, and <i>CLA1</i>, but downregulation of calbindin in the oviductal mucosa. These results suggest that aging may impair intestinal and oviductal health through mucosal inflammation in both the intestine and oviduct of laying hens. This change may be related to alterations in the intestinal microbiota but appears less evident in the vagina.</p>","PeriodicalId":16883,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Poultry Science","volume":"62 ","pages":"2025018"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12245063/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144626614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}