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Chitosan Oligosaccharide Reduces Abdominal Fat Deposition by Regulating Cecal Microbiota Composition in Broilers
Ruixia Lan1, Haoxuan Wang1, Jia Zhang1
1Department of Animal Science and Technology, College of Coastal Agriculture Science, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
Animal Science Journal = Nihon Chikusan Gakkaiho
|September 12, 2025
Summary
Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) supplementation in broilers reduced abdominal fat deposition by altering lipid metabolism and improving gut microbiota. This dietary strategy positively impacts broiler health and meat quality.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Microbiology
Background:
- Abdominal fat deposition (AFD) is a significant concern in broiler production, impacting carcass quality and economic returns.
- Dietary strategies to modulate lipid metabolism and gut health are crucial for optimizing broiler performance.
- Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) is a functional oligosaccharide with potential benefits for animal health and metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of dietary chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) supplementation on abdominal fat deposition (AFD) in broilers.
- To evaluate the impact of COS on lipid metabolism, cecal microbiota composition, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) production.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which COS influences fat deposition and gut health in broilers.
Main Methods:
- 144 Arbor Acres broilers were fed a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg COS for the experimental period.
- Abdominal fat deposition, serum lipid profiles, and gene expression related to lipid metabolism were analyzed.
- Cecal digesta were analyzed for microbiota composition (16S rRNA sequencing) and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content.
Main Results:
- COS supplementation significantly reduced abdominal fat deposition, serum triglyceride, and hepatic lipogenic gene expression (FAS, ACC).
- COS altered cecal microbiota, increasing the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Alistipes while decreasing harmful bacteria.
- COS supplementation led to increased cecal SCFA content, including acetic, propionic, isobutyric, and caproic acids, positively correlating with reduced fat deposition.
Conclusions:
- Dietary COS supplementation effectively reduces abdominal fat deposition in broilers by inhibiting hepatic fatty acid synthesis and adipocyte differentiation.
- COS modulates the gut microbiota composition and enhances SCFA production, contributing to improved lipid metabolism and reduced fat accumulation.
- COS represents a promising feed additive for improving carcass quality and metabolic health in broiler chickens.
