Effects of supplementation with vitamin D₃ on growth performance, lipid metabolism and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens.

ABSTRACT: Lower intramuscular fat (IMF) and excessive abdominal fat reduce carcass quality in broilers. The study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary VD₃ on growth performance, lipid metabolism and cecal microbiota in broilers over an 84-d feeding experiment. One-day-old male Luhua broilers (210) were randomly assigned to control (basal diet) and VD group (basal diet supplemented with 3,750 IU/kg VD₃). Samples were collected after a 12-h fasted feeding on days 28, 56, and 84. Supplementary VD₃ significantly enhanced average daily gain (ADG) in broilers aged 57-84 d and 1-84 d, and increased leg muscle rate and fat content in breast and leg muscles and reduced abdominal fat rate of broilers at 84 d. VD₃ increased TG and glycogen content in th

SUBMITTER: Li J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11839666 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature