Liver response to early embryonic stimulation with xylo-and mannooligosaccharides in broiler chickens

The gut microbiota plays an important role in signaling between the intestines and the liver. These two organs are connected by a bidirectional relationship known as the gut-liver axis. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of oligosaccharides delivered in ovo on liver physiology in broiler chickens. On the 12th day of incubation, the following substances were injected into the eggs of ROSS 308 broiler chickens: saline (control), xylotriose (XOS3), xylotetrose (XOS4), mannotriose (MOS3) or mannotetrose (MOS4). The dose of oligosaccharides was 0.5 mg/0.2 ml saline. Blood, bile and liver samples were collected post-mortem on day 42. Compared to the other groups, the MOS3 significantly increased the level of uric acid in the blood, while the XOS3, XOS4 and MOS3 groups had a higher magnesium concentration than the control group. All oligosaccharides decreased catalase and total superoxide dismutase activity. Compared to the other groups, the administration of MOS3 and MOS4 increased the content of oxidants in the liver of chickens. XOS4 increased the expression of the ANGPTL4, CYR61, KLHL6, NR4A3 and SYK genes compared to the control group, while MOS3 increased the expression of ANGPTL4, KLHL6 and NR4A3 genes. MOS3 increased and MOS4 decreased the level of DNA methylation for the ANGPTL4 gene. XOS4 and both MOS3 and MOS4 increased the methylation of NR4A3 gene. Therefore, it can be concluded that XOS and MOS decrease antioxidant status of the liver but increased the expression of genes related to the immunity and metabolism.