Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a prevalent mycotoxin present in feed ingredients. In this study, we investigated the effects of Lactobacillus salivarius (L. salivarius) on the Landes geese exposed to AFB1. The 300 one-day-old Landes geese were randomly divided into five groups: The control group received a basic diet, while the other groups were fed a basic diet supplemented with 10 μg/kg AFB1, 10 μg/kg AFB1+ 4*10⁸ cfu/g L. salivarius, 50 μg/kg AFB1, and 50 μg/kg AFB1 + 4*10⁸ cfu/g L. salivarius for 63 d. Results showed that high level AFB1 exposure significantly decreased final BW and ADG, increased feed/gain ratio (F/G) and liver index (P < 0.05). L. salivarius improved levels of IL-1, IL-6, and IL-12 under low level of AFB1 exposure (P < 0.05), along with similar trends observed in serum IgA, IgG, IgM, T3, T4, TNF-ɑ, and EDT (P < 0.05). AFB1 exposure reduced jejunum villus high and villus high/crypt depth ratio, and suppressed expression of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1 mRNA, and significant improved with L. salivarius supplementation under low level AFB1 exposure (P < 0.05). AFB1 significantly increased expression levels of TLR3 and NF-kB1, with supplementation of L. salivarius showing significant improvement under low AFB1 exposure (P < 0.05). Cecal microbiota sequencing revealed that under low level AFB1 exposure, supplementation with L. salivarius increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Lactococcus. In summary, supplementation with 4*10⁸ cfu/g L. salivarius under 10 μg/kg AFB1 exposure improved growth performance and immune capacity, enhanced jejunum morphology, reduced liver inflammation, altered the cecal microbial structure, and positively affected the growth and development of geese.

Fasting and refeeding systems can cause significant short-term fluctuations in nutrient and energy levels, triggering adaptive physiological responses in animals. This study examines the effects of fasting and refeeding on blood biochemical indicators and transcriptional profiles in the hypothalamus and subcutaneous adipose tissue of geese. Biochemical assays reveal that fasting significantly increases levels of free fatty acids and glucagon, while reducing concentrations of triglycerides, leptin, and insulin. Transcriptomic analyses identify a complex transcriptional response in both the hypothalamus and subcutaneous adipose tissue, affecting several metabolic pathways and key genes associated with feed intake and energy metabolism. In subcutaneous adipose tissue, fasting downregulates genes involved in fatty acid synthesis (LPL, SCD, and ACSL1) and upregulates PLIN2, a gene promoting lipid droplet degradation. Fasting affects a variety of metabolic pathways and critical genes in the hypothalamus, including Apelin, insulin, and mTOR signaling pathways. After fasting, the mRNA expression of NOG, GABRD, and IGFBP-1 genes in the hypothalamus are significantly upregulated, while proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene expression is markedly downregulated. This study highlights the intricate biological responses to nutritional changes in geese, which adds to our understanding of energy balance and metabolic regulation in avian species.

This study investigated a compound low-protein diet (CLPD) strategy to reduce soybean meal (SBM) dependency in meat geese. Diets were formulated with crude protein (CP) levels decreasing from 16.5% (corn-soybean meal diet, CSD) to 9.8%, incorporating alternative ingredients such as rapeseed meal, corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), broken rice, and rice bran. All diets were balanced for limiting amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine, and valine) through supplemental synthetic amino acids. A total of 192 four-week-old Sanhua geese were randomly assigned according to a single-factor completely randomized design to four dietary treatment groups: the 16.5% (CSD) group and three CLPD treatment groups (14.0% CP, 11.5% CP, and 9.8% CP). Each treatment consisted of six replicate pens with eight geese per pen. During the six-week trial, evaluations included growth performance, organ weights, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemistry, amino acid profiles, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiota composition. Results demonstrated that compared to the 16.5% (CSD) group, the 11.5% CP (CLPD) group significantly improved final body weight (p < 0.05), average daily gain (P_Linear < 0.01, p < 0.05), and feed conversion efficiency (P_Linear < 0.01, p < 0.05), alongside enhanced apparent digestibility of crude protein and amino acids (P_Linear < 0.01, p < 0.05). Organ weights were generally stable, though the 9.8% CP (CLPD) group showed reduced liver weight (p < 0.05) and increased abdominal fat (P_Linear < 0.01, p < 0.05). Serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased (P_Linear < 0.05, p < 0.05). Intestinal morphology improved in the duodenum and jejunum: in the duodenum, villus height and villus-to-crypt ratio were significantly increased, and crypt depth was significantly decreased (P_Linear < 0.01, p < 0.05); in the jejunum, villus height was significantly increased (p < 0.05) and crypt depth was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Cecal microbiota alpha diversity remained consistent. The dominant genera in the 9.8% CP (CLPD) group were unclassified_Oscillospiraceae and unclassified_Ruminococcaceae (p < 0.05), among which, Megamonas, Prevotellaceae_Ga6A1_group, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group dominated in the 16.5% (CSD) group (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that a compound low-protein diet (CLPD) with 11.5% CP, precisely balanced for limiting amino acids, supports optimal growth performance, improves nutrient utilization, and maintains intestinal health in meat geese. Overall, this offers a viable approach to easing SBM reliance in poultry nutrition while enhancing resource efficiency.

This study investigated the effects of dietary Edible Dock Powder (EDP) on growth performance, organ development, serum biochemistry, and cecal microbiota in Sanhua goslings. A total of 240 goslings were randomly allocated into four groups: one control group (Group A) and three experimental groups supplemented with EDP at concentrations of 1.00% (Group B), 2.50% (Group C), and 4.00% (Group D). Group B showed a significantly decreased feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Organ analysis indicated an increase in liver and glandular stomach weights in Groups B and C (p < 0.05). Serum aspartate transaminase (AST) levels were significantly decreased in the EDP groups (p < 0.05), and glucose (GLU) levels were notably lower in Groups C and D compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Cecal microbiota analysis revealed that Group B was enriched in Prevotella and Streptococcaceae, while Cyanobacteria and Alistipes were higher in Group C. Additionally, Desulfovibrio was positively correlated with glandular stomach weight, and Oxalobacter with ADG (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that 1.00–2.50% EDP supplementation supports growth, enhances liver and gut health, and optimizes microbiota composition, providing a viable functional feed strategy for goslings.