Effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract on growth performance, fecal microbiota, and bursal transcriptome of broilers

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of Ganoderma lucidum extract on the growth performance, fecal microbiome, and bursal transcriptome of broilers. A total of 60 one-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned into 2 dietary treatments with 5 replicate cages per treatment and 6 birds per cage. The dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet as control and a diet of control plus 1 g/L G. lucidum extract in drinking water. G. lucidum extract was supplied on days 14 through 16, 21 through 23, and 28 through 30. No significant difference was observed in growth performance in broilers after feeding with G. lucidum extract. G. lucidum extract treatment improved (P < 0.05) the morphology of the small intestine in broilers at 35 days of age. The abundance of genus Lactobacillus in feces increased (P < 0.05) in broilers fed G. lucidum extract, whereas the abundance of genus Ruminococcus torques group in feces was decreased (P < 0.05) in response to G. lucidum extract treatment. G. lucidum extracts increased (P < 0.05) the antibody titer to Newcastle disease virus in broilers at 21 days of age. Furthermore, inflammation-associated gene expression decreased (P < 0.05) in the small intestine of G. lucidum extract–fed broilers at 35 days of age, whereas gut antioxidation and barrier integrity–associated gene expression increased (P < 0.05). Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that 2085 genes were differentially expressed in the bursa of Fabricius and that 1114 genes were upregulated and 974 genes downregulated in response to G. lucidum extract stimulation. G. lucidum extract positively regulated (P < 0.05) T cell receptor signaling pathways in the bursa of Fabricius of broilers. These results demonstrate that G. lucidum extract can improve intestinal morphology, gut microbiota, and immunity in broilers.