Methylation and expression dynamics in broiler liver following in-ovo sodium butyrate administration

This study investigated the effects of sodium butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid involved in energy metabolism, gut microbiota regulation, and immune response, on molecular changes in broiler chicken liver. Ross 308 eggs were injected in ovo with different concentrations of sodium butyrate (0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%), and liver samples were collected on day 42 for analysis of gene expression and DNA methylation.The results showed that sodium butyrate altered the expression of selected genes related to lipid metabolism and immune regulation, including upregulation of ANGPTL4 and NR4A3 and downregulation of CYR61 at the highest dose. Gene-specific DNA methylation was also affected, although global methylation levels did not change significantly.Overall, the findings suggest that sodium butyrate may exert epigenetic effects in the liver, influencing both gene expression and DNA methylation.