Project description:<p>Background The intestinal microbiota, metabolites, and quorum-sensing (QS) functions of laying hens under different proportions of fermented Cordyceps militaris mushroom substrate (CMMS) replacement diets are critical for their production performance and health. However, the changes in the intestinal microbiota, metabolites, and QS functions of laying hens under different proportions of fermented CMMS replacement diets, as well as their effects on laying hen production performance, remain unclear. This study evaluated the changes in production performance, apparent digestibility, digestive enzyme activity, serum immunoglobulin levels, cecal microbiota and metabolites, and QS function of laying hens under different proportions of fermented CMMS replacement diets, as well as their impact on the health of laying hens.</p><p>Results Using Hymenoptera brown egg-laying chicken as the research subject, this study aimed to determine the production performance, egg quality, apparent digestibility, digestive enzyme activity, and serum immunoglobulin levels of egg-laying chickens under different ratios of fermented CMMS replacement diets. Additionally, the study analyzed the cecal microbiome and metabolome. The dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and phosphorus content of CMMS significantly decreased after fermentation treatment (P < 0.05). When 30% of the diet was replaced with fermented CMMS, the laying rate, average egg weight, average daily feed intake, and feed-egg ratio significantly increased (P < 0.05). Egg yolk color and Haugh unit significantly increased (P < 0.05), and lipase significantly increased (P < 0.05). When 20% of the diet was replaced with fermented CMMS, the apparent digestibility of DM, CP, ash, and NDF in laying hens significantly increased (P < 0.05), and IgA and IgM significantly increased (P < 0.05). Metagenome analysis showed that when fermented CMMS replaced 30% of the diet, the relative abundance of Phocaeicola, Alistipes, and Parabacteroides significantly increased (P < 0.05), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) level 2 pathway energy metabolism increased, and QS pseudouridine-synthase RluA family genes increased. A total of 1,529 differentially expressed metabolites were identified under different proportions of fermented CMMS replacement diets. The highest relative content was found in carboxylic acids and derivatives (21.20%), and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor biosynthesis were enhanced. When fermented CMMS replaced 30% of the diet, the relative abundance of Parabacteroides significantly increased (P < 0.05) and was significantly negatively correlated with tetradecanedioic acid and sebacic acid (r < 0, P < 0.001). The relative abundance of Alistipes significantly increased (P < 0.05) and was significantly positively correlated with the PemK/MazF family (r > 0, P < 0.001).</p><p>Conclusions The relationship between the microbial community in the cecum of laying hens, its metabolites, and QS function under different proportions of fermented CMMS replacement diets, as well as their regulation of production performance, apparent digestibility, and immune levels. It determined their potential impact on the metabolism and health of laying hens. The research results provide valuable insights into the potential of CMMS as an unconventional feed.</p>
2025-09-09 | MTBLS12825 | MetaboLights