Embryogenesis is a critical programming window in birds, during which environmental factors can reshape gene expression and influence adaptive capacity after hatching. However, little is known about how embryonic thermal manipulation modulates intestinal immune and metabolic responses to inflammatory challenge later in life. This study evaluated the effects of embryonic thermal manipulation on the intestinal transcriptomic response of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A 2 × 2 factorial design was applied, including two incubation temperatures (control - 37.5°C; high - 39°C) and two challenge conditions (LPS and saline solution). At 25 days post-hatch, jejunum samples were collected after inoculation and subjected to RNA-seq analysis. High incubation temperature significantly reduced (p<0.05) hatchability but did not affect embryo morphology. Under control temperature, LPS induced differential expression of 41 genes (adjusted-p<0.05), including IL1R2, IL18BP, and S100A12, associated with inflammatory modulation and mucosal integrity. In contrast, high-temperature incubation triggered a broad transcriptomic reprogramming in response to LPS, with activation of inflammatory pathways, metabolic processes (glycolysis, Krebs cycle, pentose metabolism), lipid homeostasis, and vesicular trafficking, while simultaneously suppressing genes involved in adaptive immunity, angiogenesis, cell differentiation, and epigenetic regulation. A conserved set of inflammatory genes, including MMP7, PI3, and SLC6A14, was regulated under both thermal conditions, suggesting activation of central defense mechanisms. In conclusion, embryonic thermal manipulation did not change gross embryonic phenotype but markedly altered the magnitude and direction of intestinal gene expression responses to LPS, indicating a shift toward an innate inflammatory-metabolic profile at the expense of adaptive immune-related pathways.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o uso de bactérias do gênero Bacillus como probióticos na alimentação de frangos e suínos, com foco na saúde intestinal, no desempenho produtivo e no manejo nutricional dos animais. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura utilizando palavras-chave específicas em diversas bases de dados para reunir estudos relevantes sobre o tema. As espécies de Bacillus mais comumente usadas na nutrição de monogástricos, como aves e suínos, são B. subtilis e B. licheniformis, mas também há pesquisas sobre o uso de Bacillus em outras espécies, como peixes e bovinos. A maior parte dos estudos sobre o uso de Bacillus na alimentação animal ocorre em países como Estados Unidos, Brasil, China, e na Europa, com variações nos focos e na prevalência dependendo das necessidades regionais. Entre os principais benefícios associados ao uso de Bacillus na nutrição de monogástricos estão a melhoria na digestão de nutrientes, especialmente proteínas e fibras; o estímulo do sistema imunológico, que contribui para a resistência a doenças; a redução da colonização de patógenos no trato gastrointestinal, promovendo a saúde intestinal e a melhoria do desempenho produtivo, incluindo aumento do ganho de peso e melhor conversão alimentar. Os estudos sobre o uso de Bacillus na nutrição de monogástricos são conduzidos tanto em nível nacional quanto internacional, frequentemente por meio de colaborações entre instituições de pesquisa e empresas do setor agropecuário. Em conclusão, as cepas de Bacillus são uma abordagem promissora para otimizar o desempenho e a saúde de monogástricos na produção animal.

Productive efficiency in laying breeders is influenced by genetic and physiological factors, but it remains unclear whether maternal reproductive precocity programs distinct inflammatory responses in the offspring. This study evaluated the effects of maternal precocity on productive performance, immunological parameters, and the intestinal transcriptomic profile of Japanese quail offspring challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A design with two maternal groups was used (early-maturing: reaching 95% lay between weeks 14-15; and late-maturing: between weeks 17-18), and the offspring were either challenged or not with LPS at 25 days of age, with jejunum collection for RNA sequencing. Early-maturing dams showed better productive performance and lower stress indicators (lower heterophil:lymphocyte ratio and lower relative spleen weight) (p < 0.05). Their offspring, when challenged with LPS, exhibited a metabolic suppression profile, with downregulation of genes linked to oxidative phosphorylation (NDUFA5, NDUFS6; adj. p = 0.006 for the oxidative phosphorylation pathway), NADH metabolism (GPD1; adj. p = 0.005 for NADH metabolic process), and amino acid transport (SLC25A13, SLC25A15; adj. p = 0.005 for l-amino acid transmembrane transport), associated with activation of anti-inflammatory mediators (IL18BP, IL1R2; adj. p = 0.032 for cytokine binding), characterizing an energy-saving tolerance strategy to inflammation. In contrast, the offspring of late-maturing dams challenged with LPS showed strong activation of matrix metalloproteinase MMP7 (adj. p = 0.004 for collagen catabolic process) and exclusive enrichment of the Wnt signaling pathway (adj. p = 0.003), indicating a response directed toward extracellular matrix remodeling and tissue repair. In conclusion, maternal precocity programs two distinct transcriptional phenotypes in the offspring facing an inflammatory challenge: metabolic tolerance with immunomodulation (descendants of early-maturing dams) versus resistance with tissue remodeling (descendants of late-maturing dams), demonstrating that maternal genetic merit determines different resource allocation strategies between immune defense and homeostasis maintenance.

Vitamin C plays important roles in antioxidant defense and connective tissue metabolism in crustaceans, but its effects on molecular responses associated with shrimp meat quality remain unclear. This study evaluated dietary vitamin C supplementation on growth performance, physicochemical and sensory traits, and gene expression in juvenile Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931. A total of 288 shrimp were randomly distributed among 24 experimental boxes (12 shrimp per box), with 12 experimental units per dietary treatment, for 15 days. The conventional diet contained 150 mg kg−1 vitamin C according to the manufacturer, whereas the supplemented diet received 150 mg kg−1 of a product containing 35% vitamin C, corresponding to a nominal addition of 52.5 mg kg−1 vitamin C. Final dietary vitamin C concentrations were not analytically determined. Dietary treatment did not affect final weight, length, fillet yield, or biomass. Supplemented shrimp showed lower thawing and cooking losses and higher sensory scores for taste, consistency, and overall liking. Supplementation was also associated with higher transcript abundance of GPx, SOD, SREBP, ACC, MYCH5, COL1A2, and RYR. These findings indicate that vitamin C supplementation modulated selected molecular and meat-quality responses without affecting growth performance under the conditions evaluated.

The aim was to determine the performance bases for the use of bacteria of the genus Bacillus as probiotics in the feeding of broilers and pig, assessing the ability of microorganisms to provide intestinal health development, productive yield and nutritional management of animals. To this end, a literature review was carried out, investigating specific words on various data platforms, in order to collect relevant studies on the subject. The two Bacillus species most commonly used in the nutrition of monogastric animals, such as poultry and pigs, are B. subtilis and B. licheniformis. However, there are also studies investigating the use of Bacillus in other species, such as fish and cattle. Most studies on the use of Bacillus in animal feed are carried out in different parts of the world, including countries such as the United States, Brazil, China and European countries. It is important to note that the prevalence and focus of studies also vary according to the specific needs and characteristics of each region. The benefits associated with the use of Bacillus in the nutrition of monogastrics include improved digestion of nutrients, especially protein and fiber; stimulation of the immune system, helping resistance to disease; reduction of colonization by pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract, promoting intestinal health and improved production performance, including weight gain and feed conversion. Studies on the use of Bacillus in monogastric nutrition can be conducted both nationally and internationally, depending on collaboration between research institutions and companies in the agricultural sector.