This study aims to investigate the effects of the vine of Lonicera japonica Thunb (VLT) and marine-derived Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-9 (BA-9) supplementation on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and gut microbiota of goat kids. A total of 32 4-week-old kids were randomly assigned into four groups: a control group (CON), a group supplemented with 0.3% BA-9 (BA-9), a group supplemented with 2% VLT (VLT), and a group supplemented with both 0.3% BA-9 and 2% VLT (MIX). The results indicated that VLT supplementation significantly increased both average daily (P < 0.001) and total weight gain (TWG) (P < 0.001), while BA-9 alone had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on the average daily and TWG. Biomarker analysis of oxidative stress revealed that supplementation of VLT or BA-9 alone enhanced antioxidant capacity. The MIX group showing a higher total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) compared with the CON, VLT, and BA-9 groups (P < 0.05). Plasma albumin (ALB) levels were significantly increased in the both VLT and BA-9 groups. Microbiota analysis revealed significant differences in α-diversity and β-diversity between the MIX and CON groups, with specific genera such as Prevotellaceae_UCG.004 and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group negatively correlated with average daily gain (ADG), while Alistipes was positively correlated with T-AOC. These findings suggest that the combined supplementation of VLT and BA-9 can significantly enhance growth performance and antioxidant capacity in goat kids by modulating the composition of gut microbiota and reducing oxidative stress.

Mastitis in dairy cows is an important factor restricting the healthy development of dairy industry. Natural extracts have become a research hotspot to alleviate and prevent diseases because of their unique properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of resveratrol (RES) on the mitochondrial biosynthesis, antioxidation, and anti-inflammatory in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) and its mechanism involved. Blood samples were collected from six healthy cows and six mastitis affected cows, respectively, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to treat BMECs to construct inflammation models, gene interference is achieved by transfection. The results showed that messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) was down-regulated and mitochondrial biogenesis-related gene expression was disrupted in the blood of mastitis cows and LPS-induced BMECs. RES is the best active substance to activate PGC-1α. The addition of RES can effectively alleviate the production of BMECs reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial damage induced by LPS, and improve the antioxidation and anti-inflammatory ability, while the alleviation effect of RES is inhibited after interfering with protein kinase AMP-activated catalytic subunit α 1 (PRKAA1). In summary, our study emphasizes that PRKAA1 is a key gene mediating the activation of PGC-1α by RES, which regulates mitochondrial biosynthesis, inhibits ROS release, attenuates mitochondrial damage, and improves mitochondrial antioxidant capacity through the activation of PGC-1α by PRKAA1, thus attenuating the inflammatory response in BMECs.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary yeast culture (YC) supplementation on rumen microbiota and lactation performance in dairy goats. Twenty mid-lactation dairy goats were selected and divided into two groups: the control (CON) group was fed a basal diet; the YC group was supplemented with 10 g of YC in 1 kg of basal diet. The administration of YC was associated with a significant increase in dry matter intake, milk yield, milk protein yield, and milk lactose yield in dairy goats (P < 0.05). Additionally, serum total protein, albumin, creatinine, glucose, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels were increased (P < 0.05). Furthermore, there was an increase in rumen pH and NH3-N levels (P < 0.05), while volatile fatty acid levels were observed to decrease (P < 0.05). The study found no significant difference in the α-diversity of bacteria and fungi between the YC and CON groups (P > 0.05). However, 15 bacterial genera and 13 fungal genera were upregulated (P < 0.05), while 4 bacterial genera and 11 fungal genera were downregulated (P < 0.05) in the YC group. The relative abundance of pathogenic fungi Dipodascus and Gibberella decreased (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that the bacterial genera were not significantly correlated with lactation performance (P > 0.05), whereas fungal genera Dipodascus and Gibberella were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with lactation performance. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that YC can influence the rumen microbial composition, reduce the abundance of harmful fungi in the rumen, and improve lactation performance in dairy goats, suggesting that the addition of YC to dairy goat diets has good application prospects.

Feed intake, a critical factor for dairy cows during the postpartum period, is intricately linked to the rumen microbiome. However, the specific roles of rumen metagenome and metabolome in modulating feed intake in postpartum dairy cows remain unclear. In the current study, 20 postpartum dairy cows were divided into low feed intake (n = 5) and high feed intake (HFI, n = 5) groups to investigate the role of ruminal microbial composition, function, and metabolism on feed intake using a combined approach of metagenomics and metabolomics. Our analysis revealed a significant enrichment of Bacteroides and Fibrobacter in HFI cows (p < 0.05), contributing to enhanced protein and energy metabolism. Metabolomic analysis disclosed that HFI cows exhibited a higher relative concentration of rumen metabolites, such as alpha-tocopheryl acetate (fold change = 9.2, p = 0.008), linoleic acid (fold change = 5.96, p = 0.007), and leucine (fold change = 4.14, p = 0.004). Spearman correlation analysis pinpointed a positive correlation between specific microbiota (Succinivibrionaceae and Prevotellaceae) and metabolites involved in amino acid and peptide metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and conjugates. Furthermore, co-occurrence network analysis showed that the unclassified_f_Succinivibrionaceae, Succinatimonas, and Ruminobacte were significantly associated with dry matter intake-associated metabotypes, including rumen metabolites involved in fatty acids and conjugates, favonoids, and gycerophosphocholines. The feed intake variation explained by the rumen microbiome, functions, and metabolites were 29.63%, 27.30%, and 33.50%, respectively. These findings provide comprehensive insights into rumen metagenomics at different feed intake levels in postpartum dairy cows, potentially guiding strategies to manipulate the rumen microbiome for feed intake and production improvement.

One hundred and thirteen mid-lactation cows fed same diets and supplemented with 20 g/d rumen-protected methionine (RPM) for 8 weeks were used to investigate the individual responses of dairy cows to RPM in terms of lactation performance, amino acids (AA) metabolism, and milk metabolites. Among the cows, 10 cows exhibited positive responses (PR) and 10 cows showed limited responses (LR) in energy-corrected milk yield to RPM were used for further analysis. The lactation performance changed from gradual decline to steady increase in PR cows, while kept downward trend in LR cows following RPM supplementation. In PR cows, the AA metabolism was notably enhanced after RPM supplementation, evidenced by increased mammary blood flow (69.4%, P = 0.05), mammary uptake and clearance rate and uptake-to-output ratio (U:O) of essential AA. The improved AA metabolism could be attributed to the enrichment of pyrimidine (P = 0.06) and pyruvate (P = 0.07) metabolism pathways, which may have stimulated mammary cell proliferation and enhanced AA uptake. Additionally, the upregulation of milk biotin (fold change > 2, variable importance projection > 1), known to support milk yield, likely contributed to the PR observed in PR cows. Conversely, in LR cows, RPM supplementation did not improve AA metabolism, decrease was observed in mammary uptake, mammary clearance rate, and U:O of cysteine, potentially due to cysteine being irreversibly converted from methionine. Moreover, the enrichment of central carbon metabolism in cancer pathway (P = 0.06), which also utilize methionine, along with the lysine degradation pathway (P = 0.04), suggests that methionine in the mammary glands may have been diverted toward non-lactational metabolic processes, resulting in absence of PR in LR cows. Our results indicate that the responses to RPM in dairy cows are individualized, with variation in lactation performance likely driven by differential AA metabolism.

Intramuscular fat (IMF) content is a critical indicator of meat quality in livestock production and possesses significant medical relevance for human health. Betaine, a naturally occurring alkaloid compound, holds considerable potential as a nutritional approach for regulating intramuscular adipogenesis, while its exact efficacy and underlying mechanisms still remain subjects of ongoing debate and investigation. Here, we clarified the enhancing effect of betaine on IMF deposition using porcine, murine, and cellular models. Mechanistically, betaine supplementation leads to a significant increase in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) concentration in the liver, serum, and skeletal muscle. Elevated levels of NADPH upregulate the expression of fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO), a well-established N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase, to diminish m6A modification in skeletal muscle and IMF deposition. This process effectively promotes the mitotic clonal expansion and subsequently intramuscular adipogenesis. In summary, our findings expand current understanding of the regulatory role of betaine in IMF deposition and sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying its modulation, which is conducive to producing high-quality and healthful pork.

Ruminant-derived foods, predominantly milk and meat, are globally recognized as staples of a high-quality diet. Despite their widespread popularity, there is a notable deficiency in comprehensive standards addressing the nutritional values and safety of these products. This gap significantly limits both the supply of and demand for premium quality milk and meat. This review endeavors to highlight the benefits of utilizing metabolomics for the evaluation of quality and safety in milk and meat products from ruminants. It identifies critical metabolites, genetic signals, and metabolic pathways related to the synthesis of ruminant-derived milk and meat, proposing their potential as nutritional or regulatory targets and biomarkers. These biomarkers are instrumental in predicting and assessing the quality and safety of dairy and meat products, offering guidance for quality-based pricing and food safety inspections in the market. This review offers a critical overview of current metabolomics-based platforms and tools for interpreting the quality and safety of ruminant foods. The core metabolic biomarkers and biological biosynthetic processes of milk and meat enhance our understanding of the interplay between conventional food production from animals and new synthetic biological technologies.

A high-fat diet (HFD) increases susceptibility to Escherichia coli colonization in the intestine and raises the risk of intestinal diseases. Lactobacillus reuteri, a commensal bacterium, plays a crucial role in regulating intestinal function and maintaining immune homeostasis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of L. reuteri on gut barrier function and systemic inflammation in HFD-fed mice challenged with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7, and to further elucidate the potential protective mechanisms involved. The results show that supplementation of L. reuteri ZJ617 mitigates intestinal barrier impairment, inflammatory cell infiltration and systemic inflammation induced by E. coli O157:H7. The potential mechanisms of L. reuteri ZJ617 deal with it involving in forming biofilm, producing functional amino acids and various secondary metabolites. Our works provided comprehensively analysis of potential properties of L. reuteri ZJ617 and indicated that L. reuteri ZJ617 is a promising probiotic to prevent E. coli O157:H7 infection.

The body condition of cows during the early perinatal period has a long-term impact on the health of their offspring calves; however, research on the mechanisms of liver metabolism in this context is limited. This study investigates the effects of pre-perinatal cow body condition score (BCS) on various blood biochemical, antioxidant and immune indices in offspring calves. The calves were categorized into two groups based on their mothers’ BCS: the high body condition group (OHBCS) and the low body condition group (OLBCS). The results indicate that the levels of insulin, non-esterified fatty acid, β-hydroxybutyrate, immunoglobulin G, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in the blood of the OHBCS group were significantly higher than those in the OLBCS group (p < 0.05). In contrast, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-2 in the OHBCS group were significantly lower than those in the OLBCS group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Additionally, integrating metabolomic and transcriptomic data revealed that levels of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, fatty acid β-oxidation and ornithine cycling were reduced in the OHBCS group, whereas the ketogenic pathway and triglyceride synthesis pathway were enhanced. These findings elucidate the mechanisms by which pre-perinatal cow BCS influences liver metabolism in offspring calves.

Bovine mastitis harms milk quality and cattle health. Val-Pro-Pro (VPP) and Ile-Pro-Pro (IPP) are well-known milk-derived bioactive peptides with anti-inflammatory activity. However, the impact of VPP and IPP on mastitis remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and the underlying mechanisms of VPP and IPP in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. When cells were treated with LPS (1 µg/mL) for 24 h, the protein levels of pro-inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-6)) and chemokine (monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1)) were markedly increased, and the protein level of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) was reduced. Both VPP and IPP with concentrations of 50 and 100 µM reversed these phenomena and further inhibited the protein expression of β-casein induced by LPS. In a mouse mastitis model, different concentrations of VPP and IPP (300, 600 µM/kg) pretreatment alleviated histopathological lesions in the mammary gland and suppressed the mRNA expression of TNFα, IL1β, and IL6 induced by LPS. VPP and IPP also maintained the integrity of the blood–milk barrier in mice. RNA-seq analyses indicated that enriched phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways likely contribute to the changes observed (P < 0.05 and |log2 fold change (FC)| ≥ 1). Notably, fibronectin was identified as an important hub by protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis and molecular docking combined with molecular dynamics simulation. In summary, VPP and IPP exerted a protective effect on LPS-induced inflammation by regulating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway via fibronectin.

Amino acids are fundamental to sustaining life. They are crucial for intracellular processes, such as energy metabolism, biosynthesis of nucleotides, and maintenance of oxidative homeostasis. These processes ensure the proper functioning of cells (including immune cells) and organs. Many studies have demonstrated that immune cells, as key players in immune regulation, have distinct amino acid demands, and their rapid growth and activation are shaped by amino acid availability in their microenvironment. In particular, the proliferation, maturation, and functional responses of innate immune cells are closely linked to amino acid metabolism. The transport, sensing, and mobilization of amino acids drive metabolic reprogramming to support these processes. Therefore, this review focuses on the influence of amino acids on the fate and function of immune cells across development, homeostasis, activation, and effector phases, highlighting the underlying mechanisms. It provides a scientific basis for improving disease resistance and production efficiency in animals.

Research on stress damage induced by weaning and its underlying mechanisms in squabs is notably scarce. The study was designed to uncover the potential mechanisms behind the intestinal epithelial barrier impairment due to early weaning (EW) in squabs by evaluating the function of intestinal epithelial barrier, the balance of T helper cell (Th) subsets, and the link between them. A total of 160 hatched squabs were randomly assigned to two groups: one received artificial pigeon milk starting from day 7 post-hatching, while the other group continued to be nourished by their parent pigeons. Ileal tissue and serum samples from eight replicates were gathered for analyses at intervals of 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days after weaning. Results showed that body weight of squabs in the EW group decreased significantly from 1 day after weaning and continued throughout the experiment period. The serum endotoxin, diamine oxidase of weaned squabs increased significantly. The mRNA expression of ileal tight junction proteins of weaned squabs was significantly downregulated at multiple time points from 1 to 21 days after weaning. Compared to squabs in the control group, the weaned squabs exhibited immune imbalances of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg in ileum, characterized by abnormal expression of specific transcription factors of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg, as well as abnormal concentrations of differentiation-inducing cytokines and effector cytokines. Mantel tests showed that the changes of factors related to the differentiation of Th17/Treg cell subsets were significantly correlated with the diamine oxidase, endotoxin level, and the CDLN1 mRNA expression. Summarily, EW could lead to impaired growth, compromised intestinal epithelial barrier function and an imbalance in the differentiation of Th cell subsets in squabs, among which the dysbalance between Th17 and Treg cells appeared to be more closely associated with the damage of the intestinal epithelial barrier function in early weaned squabs.

Milk fat is a crucial component for evaluating the production performance and nutritional value of goat milk. Previous research indicated that the composition of ruminal microbiota plays a significant role in regulating milk fat percentage in ruminants. Thus, this study aimed to identify key ruminal microorganisms and blood metabolites relevant to milk fat synthesis in dairy goats as a mean to explore their role in regulating milk fat synthesis. Sixty clinically healthy Xinong Saanen dairy goats at mid-lactation and of similar body weight, and similar milk yield were used in a feeding study for 15 days. Based on daily milk yield of dairy goats and the results of milk component determination on the 1st and 8th days, five goats with the highest milk fat content (H group) and five goats with the lowest milk fat content (L group) were selected for further analysis. Before the morning feeding on the 15th day of the experiment, samples of milk, blood and ruminal fluid were collected for analyses of components, volatile fatty acids, microbiota and metabolites. Results revealed that acetate content in the rumen of H group was greater compared with L group. H group had abundant beneficial bacteria including Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Saccharofermentans, Ruminococcaceae-UCG-002 and Prevotellaceae_UCG-3, which were important for plant cellulose and hemicellulose degradation and immune regulation. Metabolomics analysis revealed H group had greater relative concentrations of 4-acetamidobutanoic acid and azelaic acid in serum, and had lower relative concentrations of Arginyl-Alanine, SM(d18:1/12:0) and DL-Tryptophan. These altered metabolites are involved in the sphingolipid signaling pathway, arginine and proline metabolism. Overall, this study identified key ruminal microorganisms and serum metabolites associated with milk fat synthesis in dairy goats. These findings offer insights for enhancing the quality of goat milk and contribute to a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms involved in milk fat synthesis in dairy goats.

Regenerative involution is crucial for renewing the mammary gland and maximizing milk production. However, the temporal profiles indicators of oxidative status during this phase are still unclear. In this study, Experiment 1 aimed to investigate the dynamic changes in indicators of oxidative status in plasma during regenerative involution. The dairy goats were dried off at 8 weeks (wk) before kidding (−8 wk, n = 14) or −12 wk (n = 6). The blood samples taken at −8, −7, −6, −5, −4, −3, −2, −1 wk, on the day for kidding (0 wk) and the first week after kidding (+1 wk, milk production 1.28 ± 0.31 kg per day). Experiment 2 aimed to investigate the dynamic changes in indicators of oxidative status in mammary cells. Seven selected goats were biopsied for tissue collection and cell isolation at −8, −4, −1, +1 wk (milk production 1.28 ± 0.31 kg per day), respectively. Plasma analysis in Experiment 1 showed an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, peaking at −4 wk (P < 0.01). No significant differences were observed between the dry-off treatments (P = 0.36). The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in plasma remained stable from −7 wk to the first week after kidding (+1 wk), while glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity peaked at −4 wk. An increased catalase activity was observed at +1 wk (P < 0.01), indicating its response to lactation. In Experiment 2, an increase in ROS levels in isolated mammary cells was observed at −4 wk, while SOD, GSH-Px, and malondialdehyde levels in tissue homogenates rose around kidding (P < 0.01). The dynamic change of the oxidative status suggests that targeted antioxidant strategies would be helpful for regenerative involution of mammary gland in ruminants.

The ban on antibiotics as feed additives requires modern intensive farming with more comprehensive diseases control approaches. Currently, synbiotics serve as promising alternatives to enhance growth performance and improve health in the poultry industry. In this research, we investigated beneficial effects of Lactobacillus reuteri (LR) with its combination of gluco-oligosaccharides (GlcOS) supplementation on growth performance and intestinal health of broilers. A total of 900 1-day-old male Lingnan yellow-feather broilers were randomly allocated into the control group (CON group, and two experimental groups feeding basal diet supplementing LR (LR group) and its combination with GlcOS (RG group), respectively. The findings indicated beneficial effects of growth performance in experimental groups (LR and RG groups), as evidenced by decreasing the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) in both experimental groups (P < 0.05) and increasing the average daily gain (ADG) in the RG group (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, both experimental groups increased the villus height/crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the RG group showed increased activity of digestive enzymes (P < 0.05) and upregulated mRNA expression of tight junction protein and transportation protein (P < 0.05), while decreased the serum levels of d-lactic acid and diamine oxidase (P < 0.05), suggesting the improvement of the nutrient digestion and absorption, as well as the mucosal barrier integrity. Moreover, increased abundance of beneficial bacteria, including Bacteroides, Muribaculaceae and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 (P < 0.05), leading to a finely altered gut microbiome and metabolome. Collectively, the findings of this research revealed that dietary supplemented LR and its combination with GlcOS could enhance the intestinal morphology, digestion, absorption and barrier function, and improve the cecal microbiota structure and metabolic function finally achieving the effect of improving growth performance of broilers. Overall, the effect of the combination of LR and GlcOS was synergistic, providing a future alternative to antibiotics as growth promoter.

Human milk oligosaccharides offer unique benefits for infant growth and development. Buffalo milk, characterized by a mild flavor and high nutritional value, has attracted considerable interest. To characterize the oligosaccharide profile and composition of buffalo milk, we conducted qualitative and quantitative analysis of milk oligosaccharides at the early- and late-lactation stages of crossbred (Nili-Ravi × Murrah × local) buffaloes from Guangxi, China. The results revealed a total of 97 oligosaccharides including 17 novel oligosaccharides, with concentrations of 416.6 ± 25.86 and 368.3 ± 10.29 mg/L in milk from early- and late-lactation stages, respectively. The most abundant oligosaccharides were 3’-sialyllactose (3’-SL), difucosyllactose (DFL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’-SL), and a newly discovered compound, 2142. The oligosaccharides in crossbred (Nili-Ravi × Murrah × local) buffaloes demonstrated greater diversity than those found in the milk of other dairy animals, highlighting its potential as a high-quality nutritional resource for adults and infants.

The fat deposition and lipid composition directly influence meat quality and feed efficiency during pork production. Glutamate (GLU) is a major component of proteins and has been widely utilized in livestock production. However, the role of GLU in regulating lipid deposition and the lipo-nutritional quality of porcine fat remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of GLU on fatty acid composition and lipid profiles in subcutaneous fat (SF) and perirenal fat (PF) from Shaziling pigs. Forty-eight finishing pigs aged 150 days (31.56 ± 0.95 kg) were divided into the control (CON) group and the GLU-supplemented group (1% GLU), each consisting of 6 pens (4 pigs per pen). After 51 days, 6 pigs (1 pig/pen) from each group were slaughtered for analysis. Fatty acid analysis detected 46 species in SF and 40 in PF. In SF, 1% GLU significantly increased the content of C18:3n3 (P < 0.05), which was accompanied by an increase in n3 PUFA deposition (P < 0.05) and a decreased n6/n3 ratio (P = 0.06). In PF, GLU supplementation reduced the levels of C18:1n9t, C24:1, C22:6n3, and others (P < 0.05). The content of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and n9 unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) was significantly decreased in the GLU group (P < 0.05). Similarly, GLU significantly reduced the n6/n3 PUFA ratio in PF (P < 0.05). Lipidomics profiling identified 2264 unique lipids in fat tissues. GLU had minimal effects on lipid composition in SF but significantly reduced ceramides (Cer), phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidylinositol (PIP) contents in PF (P < 0.05) compared to the CON group. Additionally, GLU influenced the acyl chain saturation degree, fatty acyl chain length, and individual acyl chain composition in glycerophospholipid (GP) pools of PF. These results demonstrate the regulatory role of GLU on lipid dynamics in porcine fat and provide insights into regulating fat deposition and liponutritional quality in indigenous Chinese pig breeds.

Taihe silk chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson) are prized for their nutritional value but face challenges like low productivity and feed efficiency. Broussonetia papyrifera (BP), rich in nutrients, is mainly used in ruminant feed. This study investigates the effects of fermented BP (FBP) on the laying performance, egg quality, and gut microbiota of Taihe silk chicken during peak laying period. A total of 240 chickens were randomly assigned to four treatments (five replicates/treatments) with a basal diet (CON), a basal diet + 2% FBP (T2), a basal diet + 4% FBP (T4), and a basal diet + 8% FBP (T8) for 75 d. Results showed that the average daily feed intake and yolk color in the 8% FBP group were significantly increased by 12.21% and 11.78%, respectively (P < 0.05). Yolk folate content of the 4% and 8% FBP groups was significantly increased by 32.73% and 59.76%, respectively (P < 0.05). Zinc content in the yolk of the 8% FBP group was significantly increased by 14.22% (P< 0.05). The FBP group influenced the fatty acid composition of the yolk, and 8% FBP significantly decreased the n-6 unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) to n-3 PUFA ratio (P< 0.05). FBP also increased the ratio of villus height, and crypt depth significantly increased in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum (P< 0.05). The 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that FBP altered cecal microbiota, increasing the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, and Alistipes, while reducing the relative abundance of Olsenella and Ruminococcaceae UCG-005. Correlation analysis suggests that the FBP may enhance the growth performance and egg composition by modulating gut microbiota. In conclusion, this study confirms that adding FBP to the diet improves egg quality, composition, intestinal structure, and gut microbiota in Taihe silk chicken. These insights are valuable for optimizing FBP utilization in Taihe silk chicken production.