Cecal microbial composition and serum concentration of short-chain fatty acids in laying hens fed different fiber sources.

ABSTRACT: The intestinal microbiota is widely recognized as an integral factor in host health, metabolism, and immunity. In this study, the impact of dietary fiber sources on the intestinal microbiota and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was evaluated in Lohmann White laying hens. The hens were divided into four treatment groups: a control diet without fiber, a diet with wheat bran (mixed fibers), a diet with insoluble fiber (cellulose), and a diet with soluble fiber (pectin), with six replicates of four hens each. Cecal content from 24 hens was analyzed using 16 S rRNA sequencing, while SCFA concentrations were measured in blood serum. Alpha diversity analysis revealed significant variations in microbial richness and diversity among treatments, with higher species richness observed

SUBMITTER: de Sousa LS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11885748 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature