The reproductive efficiency of modern breeding sows is commonly restricted by a mismatch between high genetic reproductive potential and insufficient voluntary feed intake during critical physiological periods. This review comprehensively examines the physiological, nutritional, and management mechanisms regulating feed intake in sows and their implications for reproductive performance, synthesizing recent advances across neuroendocrine regulation, metabolic signaling, immune-related pathways, and precision feeding strategies. We construct an integrated framework involving three core dimensions: (1) Physiological regulation: the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal, hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal, and hypothalamic–pituitary–spleen axes functionally interact via shared neuroimmune pathways within the hypothalamic–pituitary–immune axis, coordinately regulating feeding patterns and reproductive cyclicity through core hormonal and inflammatory signaling molecules. Perinatal stress induces pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, activates the intestinal JAK-STAT3 pathway, and upregulates intestinal hepcidin expression, impairing intestinal barrier integrity and triggering persistent inflammation. These peripheral inflammatory signals modulate hypothalamic neuropeptide Y and Proopiomelanocortin expression, forming a negative feedback loop that suppresses feeding behavior. (2) Nutritional regulation: dietary nutrients and specific flavor compounds reshape intestinal satiety signaling, improving piglet growth performance and survival rates, while optimized dietary composition and functional additive supplementation enhance sow feed intake capacity. (3) Management strategies: standardized feeding regimes and optimal rearing environments regulate nutrient digestion and gut hormone secretion. Major knowledge gaps include the translational potential of precision nutrition approaches, biomarker validation for feed intake monitoring, and the scalability of integrated interventions under commercial production conditions. This review provides a multidimensional framework integrating physiological, nutritional, and management strategies to enhance sow feed intake, offering theoretical insights and practical guidance for sustainable pig production.

This study evaluated the effects of reduced inclusion levels of coated inorganic compound trace elements as a reduced substitution for uncoated inorganic trace elements in layer breeder diets. A total of 360 Hy-Line Brown layer breeder hens were randomly assigned to three groups, with six replicate pens of 20 hens per group: control group A (inorganic trace elements), group B (500 mg/kg coated inorganic compound trace elements), and group C (1000 mg/kg coated inorganic compound trace elements). Compared with the control, the coated trace element groups significantly increased the laying rate, eggshell strength and yolk color, and decreased the cracked egg rate and feed-to-egg ratio (p < 0.05). Group B had a lower cracked egg rate and a higher egg shape index than group C. Regarding eggshell ultrastructure, group B had a greater effective layer thickness and proportion and a lower mammillary layer thickness and proportion (p < 0.05), while group C presented increased mammillary width. The coated trace elements increased the deposition of Mn, Zn, and Se in eggs and increased serum GSH-Px and Cu-Zn SOD activities and the T3 concentration. No significant differences in hatching performance were observed among the groups. For progeny, groups B and C had higher birth weight, pectoralis muscle weight, and liver weight, as well as improved serum antioxidant indices and intestinal morphology (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression of intestinal tight junction genes was upregulated in group C (p < 0.05) and showed a modest increase in group B. In conclusion, the coated inorganic compound trace elements, when used at reduced inclusion rates, replaced the conventional uncoated inorganic premix without compromising production performance and improved several performance outcomes. The 500 mg/kg inclusion level provided the most balanced improvements in breeder performance and progeny quality while reducing feed costs. These findings suggest that coated mineral technology may sustain productivity at a substantially lower mineral input and may benefit progeny by increasing egg mineral deposition and supporting intestinal development, thereby providing a more sustainable mineral-feeding strategy for breeder hens.

To investigate the effects of Bacillus coagulans (BC) and tributyrin (TB) on Danzhou chickens, a 2 × 2 factorial design was adopted. A total of 480 chickens were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, consisting of two BC levels (0 and 1.5 g/kg) and two TB levels (0 and 1.0 g/kg), for a 35-day trial. The results showed that supplementation with BC or TB alone significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG), serum immune parameters (immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, and anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-4 and interleukin-10), total antioxidant capacity, and catalase activity, while reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and the feed-to-gain ratio (p < 0.05). In addition, individual supplementation with BC or TB also enhanced digestive enzyme activities in the intestine, increased villus height in the small intestine, and optimized the structure of the cecal microbiota (p < 0.05). More importantly, significant synergistic interactions between BC and TB were observed across multiple parameters (p < 0.05). Combined supplementation further increased ADG, serum immunoglobulin M levels, superoxide dismutase activity, lipase activity in the ileum, and villus height in the jejunum (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the combined supplementation also significantly elevated the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroides, Eubacterium_brachy_group, and Negativibacillus. In conclusion, supplementation with BC or TB effectively improved the growth performance, antioxidant status, immune function, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiota composition of Danzhou chickens, and the combined supplementation demonstrated superior effects compared to individual supplementation.

Weaning stress and antinutritional components in conventional soybean meal may impair intestinal homeostasis and growth in nursery piglets. This study compared five soybean protein sources: conventional soybean meal (SBM), rapidly expanded soybean meal (RSB), fermented soybean meal (FSBM), hydrolyzed soybean protein (HP), and extruded full-fat soybean (ESB). Two concurrent 28-day trials used 120 newly weaned piglets, with 60 piglets per trial allocated to five treatments (six pens per treatment and two piglets per pen): a single-diet trial and a dual-choice feed-preference trial. Growth, feed preference, crude protein digestibility, serum biomarkers, and colonic microbiota were evaluated. HP showed the highest in vitro and apparent crude protein digestibility and increased final body weight and average daily gain relative to SBM and RSB (p < 0.05). Compared with SBM, HP increased serum IgA, IL-2, GH, and IGF-1 and decreased TNF-α (p < 0.05). Serum antioxidant indices and microbial alpha diversity did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05). Descriptive genus-level analyses indicated a higher relative abundance of Lactobacillus in the HP and FSBM groups. Overall, HP produced the most consistent improvements in protein digestibility and selected growth and serum outcomes under the conditions of this study.

This study evaluated dose-dependent effects of dietary N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) on muscle growth, nutrient composition, and metabolic profiles in Danzhou chickens. A total of 480 one-day-old female Danzhou chicks were randomly assigned to diets supplemented with 0, 400, 800, or 1200 mg/kg NCG for 35 days and slaughtered at 35 days of age. NCG at 400–800 mg/kg improved growth performance, increased crude protein and free amino acids (arginine, methionine), and altered fatty acid composition in a muscle-specific manner, with increased breast-muscle MUFA and decreased leg-muscle arachidonic acid and DHA; total PUFA did not differ. Histological analysis showed that NCG increased leg-muscle fiber cross-sectional area and Feret diameter, accompanied by a reduction in fiber density. Mechanistically, NCG altered the mRNA expression of IRS2, IGF1, MyoG, AKT1, and FOXO1 in a manner consistent with modulation of the IGF-1/IRS2/PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 axis. Metabolomics suggested an association with purine metabolism; however, this finding is exploratory and does not establish causality. Integrated multi-omics revealed crosstalk between purine and lipid metabolism. Among the doses tested, 800 mg/kg produced the largest response for several endpoints; however, no formal dose-optimization model was fitted, and the optimal dose remains to be determined. The 1200 mg/kg dose did not further improve most endpoints, indicating a nonlinear dose response. This study provides the first multi-omics evidence demonstrates that NCG modulates muscle growth, nutrient composition, and metabolic profiles in indigenous chickens through coordinated regulation of anabolic signaling, purine metabolism, and lipid remodeling. Direct meat-quality measurements were not performed; therefore, effects on eating quality, technological quality, oxidative stability, and consumer preference remain to be established.

This study investigated the effects of graded dietary curcumin supplementation on production performance, antioxidant capacity, immune status, intestinal barrier function, and cecal microbiota in late-laying hens. A total of 480 61-week-old Jingfen No. 1 laying hens were randomly allocated to four groups with six replicates of 20 birds each: a basal diet control (CG) and diets supplemented with 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg curcumin (CN1, CN2 and CN3) for 35 days. Curcumin supplementation significantly increased average egg weight (p < 0.05). Serum catalase concentration and immunoglobulin levels (IgM, IgA, and IgY) were elevated, whereas malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Similar improvements were observed in the jejunum, including increased glutathione peroxidase and catalase concentrations and reduced inflammatory cytokines. Birds in the CN3 group exhibited greater villus height and villus-to-crypt ratio, lower crypt depth, and upregulated mRNA expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1) (p < 0.05). Curcumin also modulated the cecal microbiota by enriching beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria (Lactobacillales, Faecalibacterium, Odoribacter, Roseburia, and Phascolarctobacterium) and reducing pathogenic Staphylococcus and Bilophila. Overall, dietary curcumin improved egg quality, antioxidant and immune functions, intestinal health, and microbial composition in late-laying hens.