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Lactobacillus and Bacillus Improve Egg Production in Zhedong White Geese via Gut Microbiota–Metabolite–Endocrine Axis Modulation
by
,
Ruilong Song
1,2,†, 
Biao Wang
1,2,†,
Wan Zhang
1,2,
Xiao Zhou
3,
Shuyan Rui
1,2,
Qi Wang
1,2,
Hehuan Li
1,2,
Xishuai Tong
1,2
,
Hui Zou
1,2, 
Yonggang Ma
1,2,
Shufang Chen
3,* and
Zongping Liu
1,2,* 1
College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
2
Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, 225009, China
3
Livestock and Poultry Research Institute, Ningbo Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Ningbo 315000, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(5), 479; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13050479 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 18 April 2026
/
Revised: 13 May 2026
/
Accepted: 13 May 2026
/
Published: 15 May 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intestinal Homeostasis and Its Regulatory Role in Animal Growth and Development)
Simple Summary
Goose eggs and goose meat are highly favored by consumers for their unique nutritional value. However, improving goose egg production without the use of antibiotics remains a significant challenge in the poultry industry. This study used Zhedong White Geese (an important commercial breed in China) to investigate the effects of two commonly used beneficial feed microorganisms, lactic acid bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus acidophilus) and spore-forming bacteria (e.g., Bacillus subtilis), on egg production performance, egg quality, and the intestinal microbiota. A total of 6000 Zhedong White Geese were selected for the experiment and randomly divided into three groups: the control group was fed only the basal diet, while each of the other two groups received the basal diet supplemented with one of the two microbial preparations. The entire feeding period lasted 8 months. The results showed that, compared with the control group, both supplements significantly improved total egg production, eggshell thickness, and egg white quality. Specifically, the total egg production in the Lactobacillus group was 8.5% higher than that in the Bacillus group. Further analysis revealed that Lactobacillus primarily exerted its effects by activating the body’s hormone synthesis system and promoting the conversion of an amino acid called phenylalanine into signaling molecules that stimulate the reproductive cycle, whereas Bacillus primarily acted by enhancing gut microbial diversity and improving the body’s utilization of dietary energy. This study elucidated the mechanisms by which different probiotics improve egg-laying performance through distinct biological pathways, providing a scientific basis for farmers when selecting microbial preparations. The findings are of practical value for promoting antibiotic-free, sustainable goose farming, as well as for food safety and environmental protection.
Abstract
Enhancing egg production in geese without antibiotics remains a challenge in poultry science. This study compared the effects of Lactobacillus (LAB) and Bacillus (BAC) probiotics on laying performance, gut microbiota, and serum metabolism in Zhedong White geese. Birds were fed a control diet or diets supplemented with LAB or BAC. Egg production and quality were monitored throughout the trial. Serum metabolomics and fecal 16S rRNA sequencing were integrated with KEGG enrichment and correlation analyses to uncover functional mechanisms. Both probiotics improved laying performance and egg quality. Total egg production of the LAB group was 8.5% higher than that of the BAC group (p < 0.05). The LAB group’s advantage in egg production was consistent with its stronger activation of the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway (elevated serum corticosterone and tetrahydrocorticosterone indicated an overall enhancement of steroidogenic flux). Simultaneously, the LAB group exhibited a more efficient conversion of L-phenylalanine to catecholamine precursors, which drove activation of the neuroendocrine reproductive axis. The BAC group showed more significant changes in nitrogen and energy metabolism pathways and a more pronounced expansion of energy-harvesting Firmicutes. These findings reveal two strain-specific regulatory pathways: LAB functions through the “aromatic amino acid–neuroendocrine–steroid hormone axis,” while BAC relies on the “gut microbiota–energy metabolism” pathway, with direct implications for the precise application of probiotics under antibiotic-free farming conditions.
Keywords:
Lactobacillus; Bacillus; Zhedong white geese; gut microbiota; metabolite
