Supplementing Genistein for Breeder Hens Alters the Growth Performance and Intestinal Health of Offspring

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 intestinal health offspring. This study was conducted to explore mechanism involved in on mucosa and microbial homeostasis chicken A total 120 Qiling were fed a basal diet, 20 mg/kg genistein-supplemented or 40 diet 4 weeks before collecting their eggs. After hatching, 180 male (60 chickens from each group) randomly selected divided into three groups: (1) (CON); (2) low-dose (LGE); (3) high-dose (HGE). At 17 d, 72 (48 CON 24 LGE) group challenged with LPS (LPS); LGE (LPS + LGE). The results showed increased birth weight serum level protein (TP), followed by improved villus morphology. Continuously, body chicks lasted until 21 d. Additionally, observed exhibited protective effects against LPS-induced morphological damage mucosal barrier dysfunction upregulating expression tight junction proteins, specifically ZO-1, Claudin1, E-cadherin, Occludin, at Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we demonstrated has potential facilitate maturation newly hatched enhancing abundance Escherichia coli. effectively reduce Gammaproteobacteria, thus mitigating risk bacterial diversity impairment LPS. In light these findings, holds promise as strategy ameliorating modulating microbiome