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Influence of Pleurotus sapidus fruiting bodies on the performance, cecal microbiome, and gene expression in the liver and breast muscle of broilers

Summary

Researchers tested whether edible mushroom fruiting bodies could be used as animal feed for chickens. They found that chickens fed diets containing oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sapidus) had reduced growth and lower nutrient absorption compared to control chickens. While mushroom-based feed appeared to increase beneficial gut bacteria diversity, it ultimately impaired overall chicken performance, suggesting mushroom fruiting bodies are not suitable as a primary feed component for commercial poultry production.

Background

Mushrooms and fungal biomass are potential sustainable feed sources for poultry, though their efficacy compared to vegetative mycelium remains unclear. P. sapidus fruiting bodies contain higher β-glucan content than mycelium, which may affect nutrient digestibility and gut microbiota composition. This study investigated whether P. sapidus fruiting bodies could serve as feed components for broiler chickens.

Objective

To comprehensively investigate the effects of feeding P. sapidus fruiting bodies at two inclusion levels (25 and 50 g/kg diet) on broiler performance, ileal nutrient digestibility, cecal microbiota composition, cecal integrity, liver transcriptome, and genes involved in protein turnover in breast muscle.

Results

Final body weight and weight gain were significantly lower in groups receiving P. sapidus fruiting bodies. Cecal microbial diversity (Chao1 and Richness) was higher in the highest dose group, with shifts toward Bacilli and reduced Clostridia. Short-chain fatty acid concentrations were lower in the highest dose group. Liver transcriptomics identified 66 differentially expressed transcripts, while genes involved in protein turnover pathways remained unchanged.

Conclusion

P. sapidus fruiting bodies negatively impacted broiler growth performance and cannot be recommended as dietary components at the tested doses. The higher β-glucan content in fruiting bodies compared to mycelium may explain the observed negative effects on broiler performance through altered nutrient digestibility and reduced short-chain fatty acid production.
  • Published in:Poultry Science,
  • Study Type:Experimental Animal Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40618567
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