Bifidobacterium supplementation ameliorates LPS-induced immune stress and intestinal barrier dysfunction in goslings

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal inflammation is a major challenge to intensive poultry production, affecting growth and overall health. It necessitates effective dietary strategies to enhance gut resilience and immune functionality. This study evaluated the effect of dietary Bifidobacterium supplementation on growth performance, intestinal health and immune responses in LPS-stressed goslings. A total of 288 one-day-old male Jiangnan white goslings (15-28 days) were allocated to six groups in a 2 × 3 factorial design, with Bifidobacterium doses as (0, 300, 600 mg/kg) with or without LPS challenge (0.5 mg/kg BW via intraperitoneal injection). Key findings revealed that LPS stress significantly reduced the growth performance by reducing average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.01) while enhancing the feed conversion ratio (FCR; P < 0.05). Supplementation with 300 mg/kg Bifidobacterium improved ADG by 16.7%, though 600 mg/kg conferred no incremental benefits. LPS exposure upregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and suppressed anti-inflammatory IL-10 and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px). Bifidobacterium (300 mg/kg) reduced inflammation and enhanced antioxidant capacity, increasing catalase (CAT) activity by 43.3%. Intestinal morphology was compromised by LPS, reducing the villus-to-crypt ratio (VH:CD), while Bifidobacterium improved villus height (9.8% increase at 21 days) and V/C (4.1 at 28 days). In conclusion, 300 mg/kg Bifidobacterium optimally mitigated LPS-induced stress by improving intestinal integrity, reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative damage, and restoring growth hormone axis function, thereby improving growth efficiency. These findings highlight its potential as a cost-effective intervention for enhancing resilience in intensive goose production systems.