Comprehensive analysis of histophysiology, transcriptomics and metabolomics in goslings exposed to gossypol acetate: unraveling hepatotoxic mechanisms.

ABSTRACT: Cottonseed meal is a promising alternative to soybean meal in poultry feed, but concerns over free gossypol limit its use. Although the general toxicity of free gossypol is well-known, its specific effects on the liver-the primary site where it accumulates-are less thoroughly studied, particularly at the molecular level. This study investigated the hepatotoxic effects of gossypol acetate (GA) on goslings through a comprehensive analysis combining morphology, transcriptomics, and metabolomics. Forty-eight 7-day-old male goslings with similar body weight (BW) were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group, receiving a saline solution (0.9%, 2.5 mL/kg BW), and a GA-treated group, administered GA at 50 mg/kg BW orally for 14 days. Histological analysis revealed signs of liver damage, in

SUBMITTER: Yu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11792171 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature