Macrogenomic analysis of capsaicin on cecal microbiota in laying hens at the late stage of egg production.

Considering the numerous benefits of CAP to the poultry industry, it may serve as a targeted plant-derived compound to improve production performance, promote follicle development and regulate lipid metabolism of hens in the late phase laying cycle. Moreover, our previous study demonstrated that layers during the late-phase laying period receiving diets supplemented with 150 mg/kg CAP exhibited an increased feed intake and a lower feed to egg ratio, the improved production performance and egg quality combined with the enhanced reproductive hormones concentrations in serum. Based on the information mentioned above, we hypothesized that dietary CAP supplementation could modulate gut intestinal microbiota, improve lipid metabolism, ameliorate ovary health and regulate oviduct-specific gene expressions, subsequently contributing to the improvements of production performance and egg quality of hens in late-phase laying period.