Propionate inhibits fat deposition via affecting feed intake and modulating gut microbiota in broilers

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition
• Metabolic Physiology
• Gut Microbiome Research

Background:

• Propionate, a key short-chain fatty acid, has an unclear role in chicken fat metabolism.
• Understanding dietary influences on broiler fat deposition is crucial for optimizing meat production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of coated sodium propionate (SP) on fat deposition and related mechanisms in broiler chickens.
• To explore the impact of SP on feed intake, gene expression, and gut microbial composition.

Main Methods:

• Dietary supplementation with coated sodium propionate (SP) in broiler chickens.
• Analysis of adipocyte size, triglyceride content, and lipogenic gene expression.
• Measurement of serum and cecal propionate levels.
• 16S rRNA gene sequencing for gut microbial community analysis.
• In vitro experiments on hepatocytes and adipocytes.

Main Results:

• SP moderately inhibited fat deposition, indicated by reduced adipocyte size and abdominal fat triglyceride content.
• SP decreased average daily feed intake and altered the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in the cecal microbiota.
• SP increased the abundance of beneficial genera like Alistipes and Lactobacillus while decreasing others.
• In vitro studies showed physiological propionate concentrations did not directly affect triglyceride accumulation in hepatocytes and adipocytes.

Conclusions:

• Dietary SP inhibits broiler fat deposition primarily by reducing feed and caloric intake, and modulating gut microbiota.
• SP's mechanism does not appear to involve direct regulation of hepatic fat synthesis or adipocyte fat deposition.
• SP supplementation may offer benefits for gut health in broiler chickens.