Yan Zhang

Premature ovarian failure (POF) refers to a disease state linked to ovarian failure caused by overdepletion of ovarian oocytes, abnormalities in sex hormone levels, and abnormalities in the gut microbiota. POF often comes with oxidative damage. However, the effect of chlorogenic acid (CGA) administration on POF has not yet been explored. The current study evaluated improvements in ovarian dysfunction, ovarian oxidative stress, ovarian apoptosis, and the gut microbiota in mice with D-galactose (D-gal)-induced POF that were subsequently treated with CGA. CGA treatment significantly promoted follicle development and decreased the ratio of apoptotic granulosa cells in antral follicles of POF mice. CGA treatment also restored the irregular oestrous cycle and serum hormone levels, and attenuated ovarian oxidative stress injury by increasing the expression of correlated proteins (p-Akt, Nrf2, and HO-1) in POF mice. 16S rDNA sequencing revealed significant alterations in the gut microbiota structure and abundance between the control and POF groups, and most of these alterations were reduced after CGA intervention. Spearman's correlation coefficient analysis exhibited that the regulatory effect of CGA treatment on POF-related parameters was closely connected with the abundances of Allobaculum, Blautia_A, Ileibacterium, CGA_873, UBA636, Robinsoniella, Escherichia, Enterobacterales_A, and Enterobacteriaceae_A in the gut microbiota. In conclusion, CGA intervention represents a promising therapeutic approach for POF, providing valuable insights for its application in treating female POF.

This study investigated the effects of CCHMA on growth performance, slaughter performance, serum biochemical indicators, intestinal morphology and microbiota of Zi goose. Initially, it was determined the optimal addition concentration of CCHMA to be 3 g/kg by the first feeding experiment. Then, 78 Zi geese were divided into control and CCHMA supplemented groups. The results showed that the body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) of the CCHMA supplemented group was significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the feed/gain (F/G) of the CCHMA supplemented group was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. The dressed yield percentage in the CCHMA supplemented group significantly increased by 0.78% (p < 0.05). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were significantly lower in the CCHMA fed birds than in the control group (p < 0.05). Further, 16S rDNA gene sequencing conducted for cecal flora composition found that 3 g/kg CCHMA significantly increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria (CHKCI001, Colidextribacter and Subdoligranulum) (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) and suppressing harmful bacteria (Bacteroidetes and Methanobrevibacter) (p < 0.05) in the cecum of Zi goose. In conclusion, adding 3 g/kg of CCHMA in the diet can improve the growth performance, slaughter performance of Zi goose, and optimize the cecum microflora.

Goose meat is consumed by consumers because it contains a relatively high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). This study was conducted to explore the main differences in production performance, breast meat quality traits, and cecal microbiota compositions between the Zi goose (ZG) and Xianghai flying goose (FG). The production performance and breast meat quality trait analyses showed that compared with the ZG, the FG had a higher right breast muscle index, ileum villi height/crypt depth ratio (VH/CD), and cecum fermentation rate (higher short-chain fatty acid (SFCA) concentration); a lower abdominal fat index; a higher proportion of PUFAs; and a lower shear force. Spearman’s correlation coefficients between the cecal microbiota composition and production performance indexes suggested that the genus Faecalibacterium was positively associated with production performance; in contrast, the genus Candidatus Saccharimonas was negatively correlated with production performance; moreover, the Ruminococcus torques group, Parasutterella, and Methanobrevibacter were negatively related to the VH/CD. Taken together, in this particular trial, FG had better production performance, healthier meat quality traits, and better intestinal digestion and absorption capacities than ZG. These results not only provide a useful data reference for the production of healthy geese for human consumption but can also help guide the utilization of goose breed resources.