Effects of Icariin and Copper Sulfate on the Chicken Gut Microbiome and Resistome following Antibiotic Exposure

This metagenomic study characterizes the gut microbial community of laying hens after a cycle of in-feed antibiotics and subsequent supplementation with Icariin or Copper Sulfate. Functional analyses include profiling of antibiotic resistance genes, metal resistance genes, and virulence factors. The project also involves the reconstruction of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) to explore horizontal gene transfer and identify potential pathogens, contributing to our understanding of gut microbial ecology in agricultural animals.