Jejunal and pancreatic transcriptomic adaptations underpin enhanced performance in broilers fed sugarcane bagasse-supplemented diets

Abstract Background This study investigated the transcriptomic changes in the jejunum and pancreas of broiler chickens fed a diet supplemented with sugarcane bagasse (SB) to elucidate the physiological response of broilers to insoluble dietary fiber. Results A total of 168 0-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments: a control diet or a diet supplemented with 2% SB, each consisting of six replicate pens (14 broilers/pen). Broilers were fed starter (d 0–10) and grower (d 11–24) diets, with SB added over the top to dilute the feed. Performance parameters were measured at d 10 and 24, and RNA sequencing was conducted on six broilers/treatment from jejunal and pancreatic tissues. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified (significant threshold at absolute log 2 (fold change) ≥ 1 and P < 0.05) and functionally annotated using gene ontology (GO; gene counts ≥ 2 and P < 0.05 as significant) analysis. Compared with the control broilers, SB-fed broilers presented significantly ( P < 0.05) greater weight gain and improved feed conversion ratio at the end of the grower phase. A total of 41 (18 upregulated and 23 downregulated) jejunal and 125 (36 upregulated and 89 downregulated) pancreatic DEGs were identified from the differential expression analysis. The SB-fed broilers showed coordinated upregulation of DEGs involved in nutrient transport ( TRPM3 , SLC16A4 , FFAR4 , and RBP4A ), epithelial integrity ( WNT9A , GAL3ST2 , TFF3 , and AGR2 ), immune activation ( DUOX2 and MHCY6 ), and growth regulation ( POU1F1 ). Gene ontology enrichment further revealed significant activation of biological processes, including maintenance of the gastrointestinal epithelium, gastric acid secretion, sodium ion transport, and response to oxidative stress, in the pancreatic tissue. Conclusion These findings reveal that SB supplementation triggers beneficial, tissue-specific transcriptomic adaptations that support nutrient uptake, epithelial repair, immune response, and oxidative balance, thereby enhancing growth. This study offers new insights into how broilers respond to dietary fiber supplementation at the transcriptomic level, supporting the strategic use of SB in sustainable poultry production.