Energy-sparing effect of oregano essential oil–lauric acid complex in broilers: Insights from serum metabolomics and 16S rRNA sequencing

作者：Xiaotong Li, Deshuai Wang, Huiying Li, Jian Song, Hao Wang, Fengxia Liu, Sihuan Wang, Libo Zhang, Desheng Li, Jiali Wang, Yunhe Xu, Jun Wang, Shunshun Jin, Lizhi Jin, Donghui Shi · 发表于：Poultry Science · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1016/j.psj.2026.107677 · 研究领域：Animal Nutrition and Physiology、Ginger and Zingiberaceae research、Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity

Dietary energy restriction typically impairs growth performance in broilers, whereas supplementation with an oregano essential oil-lauric acid complex (OEL) has been shown to improve feed efficiency under low‑energy conditions. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study integrated serum untargeted metabolomics with cecal 16S rRNA sequencing to elucidate the energy‑sparing mechanism of OEL. A total of 600 one‑day‑old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments, three of which were selected for multi‑omics analysis: a normal‑energy control (CON), a low‑energy control (LC, with a 210 kJ/kg reduction in metabolizable energy), and a low‑energy diet supplemented with 1000 mg/kg OEL (EXP). Serum metabolomics revealed that OEL profoundly reshaped the serum metabolome, yielding 238 differential metabolites (56 up‑regulated, 182 down‑regulated). Up‑regulated metabolites were enriched in aminoacyl‑tRNA biosynthesis, amino acid biosynthesis, and ABC transporter pathways, whereas down‑regulated metabolites were enriched in histidine metabolism, purine metabolism, and the mTOR and FoxO signaling pathways. Key differential metabolites included elevated tauroursodeoxycholic acid and L‑threonine, and decreased taurodeoxycholic acid, argininosuccinate, adenine, and S‑methyl‑5'‑thioadenosine. Cecal microbiota analysis showed that OEL enriched butyrate‑producing genera such as Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, and Anaerostipes, while reducing o...