Supplementation with Zn-loaded montmorillonite enhanced Zn ion transport, trace element deposition, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal function in broilers

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary zinc-loaded montmorillonite (Zn-MMT) on performance, Zn transporter expression, metal deposition, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal function in broilers. A total of 144 one-day-old male Cobb broilers were randomly divided into three treatment...

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Main Authors: Shizhen Qin, Haibo Wang, Shijiao Qin, Jinlv Li, Defu Tang, Zhaoguo Shi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Veterinary Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1609339/full
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author Shizhen Qin
Haibo Wang
Shijiao Qin
Jinlv Li
Defu Tang
Zhaoguo Shi
author_facet Shizhen Qin
Haibo Wang
Shijiao Qin
Jinlv Li
Defu Tang
Zhaoguo Shi
author_sort Shizhen Qin
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary zinc-loaded montmorillonite (Zn-MMT) on performance, Zn transporter expression, metal deposition, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal function in broilers. A total of 144 one-day-old male Cobb broilers were randomly divided into three treatment groups. The broilers in the control group (CK) were fed a corn–soybean meal basal diet, while the experimental groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 40 mg/kg Zn-MMT and ZnSO4 (in terms of Zn content). The results showed that Zn-MMT had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), or carcass parameters, but it significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the feed-to-gain (F: G) ratio. Dietary Zn supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the expression of Zn transporter 1 (ZnT-1), Zn transporter 5 (ZnT-5), metallothionein (MT), and MTF-1 mRNA in the jejunum and the Zn content in the tibia and whole blood. In addition, it increased (p < 0.05) total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and Cu/Zn-SOD while reducing (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver and jejunum. However, no significant effect (p > 0.05) was observed on the microbial population in the cecum. Furthermore, compared to the CK and ZnSO4 groups, Zn-MMT significantly (p < 0.05) increased the mRNA expression of MT-3 and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT-1) in the jejunum and promoted the storage of Zn in the liver and pancreas. It also significantly (p < 0.05) increased villus height (VH) and the villus heightto-crypt depth (VH/CD) ratio in the duodenum and jejunum, increased the VH/CD ratio in the ileum, and reduced CD in the duodenum. In conclusion, supplementation with Zn-MMT in a corn–soybean meal basal diet can increase the expression of metal transporters, promote Zn deposition, enhance antioxidant capacity, improve intestinal tissue parameters, and increase Zn utilization.
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series Frontiers in Veterinary Science
spelling doaj-art-7aedee6c8b1e44b5ad1add93555029d82025-08-20T02:23:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-06-011210.3389/fvets.2025.16093391609339Supplementation with Zn-loaded montmorillonite enhanced Zn ion transport, trace element deposition, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal function in broilersShizhen Qin0Haibo Wang1Shijiao Qin2Jinlv Li3Defu Tang4Zhaoguo Shi5College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, ChinaLanzhou Qilihe District Agricultural Technology Extension Station, Lanzhou, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, ChinaThis study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary zinc-loaded montmorillonite (Zn-MMT) on performance, Zn transporter expression, metal deposition, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal function in broilers. A total of 144 one-day-old male Cobb broilers were randomly divided into three treatment groups. The broilers in the control group (CK) were fed a corn–soybean meal basal diet, while the experimental groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 40 mg/kg Zn-MMT and ZnSO4 (in terms of Zn content). The results showed that Zn-MMT had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), or carcass parameters, but it significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the feed-to-gain (F: G) ratio. Dietary Zn supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the expression of Zn transporter 1 (ZnT-1), Zn transporter 5 (ZnT-5), metallothionein (MT), and MTF-1 mRNA in the jejunum and the Zn content in the tibia and whole blood. In addition, it increased (p < 0.05) total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and Cu/Zn-SOD while reducing (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver and jejunum. However, no significant effect (p > 0.05) was observed on the microbial population in the cecum. Furthermore, compared to the CK and ZnSO4 groups, Zn-MMT significantly (p < 0.05) increased the mRNA expression of MT-3 and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT-1) in the jejunum and promoted the storage of Zn in the liver and pancreas. It also significantly (p < 0.05) increased villus height (VH) and the villus heightto-crypt depth (VH/CD) ratio in the duodenum and jejunum, increased the VH/CD ratio in the ileum, and reduced CD in the duodenum. In conclusion, supplementation with Zn-MMT in a corn–soybean meal basal diet can increase the expression of metal transporters, promote Zn deposition, enhance antioxidant capacity, improve intestinal tissue parameters, and increase Zn utilization.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1609339/fullbroilersZn-loaded montmorilloniteantioxidant capacityzinc transporterintestinal function
spellingShingle Shizhen Qin
Haibo Wang
Shijiao Qin
Jinlv Li
Defu Tang
Zhaoguo Shi
Supplementation with Zn-loaded montmorillonite enhanced Zn ion transport, trace element deposition, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal function in broilers
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
broilers
Zn-loaded montmorillonite
antioxidant capacity
zinc transporter
intestinal function
title Supplementation with Zn-loaded montmorillonite enhanced Zn ion transport, trace element deposition, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal function in broilers
title_full Supplementation with Zn-loaded montmorillonite enhanced Zn ion transport, trace element deposition, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal function in broilers
title_fullStr Supplementation with Zn-loaded montmorillonite enhanced Zn ion transport, trace element deposition, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal function in broilers
title_full_unstemmed Supplementation with Zn-loaded montmorillonite enhanced Zn ion transport, trace element deposition, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal function in broilers
title_short Supplementation with Zn-loaded montmorillonite enhanced Zn ion transport, trace element deposition, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal function in broilers
title_sort supplementation with zn loaded montmorillonite enhanced zn ion transport trace element deposition antioxidant capacity and intestinal function in broilers
topic broilers
Zn-loaded montmorillonite
antioxidant capacity
zinc transporter
intestinal function
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1609339/full
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