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Magnolol mitigates polystyrene microplastic-induced oviductal toxicity in laying hens via immunomodulation and
Yujie Lv1, Weichen Huang1, Chaoyue Ge1
1Hainan Institute, Zhejiang University, Sanya 572000, China; College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Abstract:
Environmental contamination with polystyrene microplastics (PS) has been shown to trigger inflammation and impair reproductive function in animals. Magnolol (MAG) is a natural compound with anti-inflammatory properties. However, the protective role of MAG against PS-induced oviductal damage remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of dietary MAG supplementation in laying hens exposed to PS. A total of 270 Hy-Line white hens were randomly assigned to three groups: control group (CK), PS-exposed group (PS), and MAG protective group against PS exposure (PM). Hens in the PM group were fed a MAG-supplemented diet, while hens in the CK and PS groups received a basal diet. After eight weeks of dietary treatment, hens in PS and PM groups were treated with 1 mg/mL PS by gavage, and the CK group received phosphate-buffered saline for four weeks. The results revealed that PS exposure significantly reduced albumen quality and eggshell strength, which was associated with decreased abundance of the beneficial bacterium Lactobacillus crispatus, disrupted mucosal barrier integrity, enhanced oxidative stress, and increased inflammation and apoptosis in the oviduct. MAG supplementation alleviated these adverse effects by improving antioxidant status, reducing mucosal inflammation and apoptosis, enhancing epithelial barrier markers, and restoring the microbial balance in the oviduct. In vitro cell culture experiments also confirmed MAG could inhibit macrophage M1-type polarization via suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway activation. Consequently, MAG reduced mucosal inflammation and apoptosis, enhanced the expression of epithelial barrier markers (Claudin and MUC-2), and restored the microbial balance in the oviduct. These findings demonstrate that dietary MAG mitigates PS-induced oviductal damage through immunomodulation and microbiota regulation, ultimately improving reproductive performance in laying hens. This study highlights MAG as a promising dietary strategy to counteract microplastic-induced reproductive toxicity in poultry.
Insights
Dietary Magnolol (MAG) protects laying hens from polystyrene microplastic (PS) damage by reducing inflammation and improving gut health. This natural compound offers a promising strategy against microplastic reproductive toxicity in poultry.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Animal Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Polystyrene microplastics (PS) cause inflammation and reproductive issues in animals.
- Magnolol (MAG), a natural compound, possesses anti-inflammatory properties.
- The protective effects of MAG against PS-induced oviduct damage are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of dietary MAG supplementation in laying hens exposed to PS.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of MAG's protective action against PS-induced oviductal damage.
Main Methods:
- 270 Hy-Line white hens were divided into control, PS-exposed, and MAG-protected groups.
- Hens received either a basal diet or a MAG-supplemented diet for eight weeks.
- PS exposure was administered via gavage for four weeks, with controls receiving saline.
Main Results:
- PS exposure reduced egg quality, disrupted oviductal microbiota (Lactobacillus crispatus), impaired barrier integrity, and increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.
- MAG supplementation improved antioxidant status, reduced inflammation and apoptosis, enhanced epithelial barrier markers, and restored oviductal microbial balance.
- In vitro studies showed MAG inhibited M1 macrophage polarization via the NF-κB pathway.
Conclusions:
- Dietary MAG mitigates PS-induced oviductal damage in laying hens.
- MAG exerts protective effects through immunomodulation and microbiota regulation.
- MAG is a potential dietary strategy to combat microplastic-induced reproductive toxicity in poultry.
