Work

Effects of florfenicol on body weight, intestinal inflammatory response, intestinal fluid metabolism and microorganisms in broilers

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Importance: Although antibiotics can prevent and treat diseases, their overuse can be harmful.Despite this, the effects of orally administered florfenicol on intestinal health in broilers are unclear.Objective: This study examined oral florfenicol's effects on intestinal function in broilers to guide its clinical use.Methods: One hundred and twenty Arbor Acres broilers (8-d-old) were divided randomly into the control (N) and florfenicol groups (F).The broilers in group F were fed 100 mg/kg body weight florfenicol for seven days.On day 15, the broilers were euthanized and sampled to analyze fluid metabolism-related genes and proteins, jejunal morphological and microbiota. Results:The results revealed a decrease in body weight and an increase in diarrhea rate in broilers in group F compared to group N. The villus length and villus length/crypt depth (V/C) of the jejunum were lower in group F than in group N, whereas the crypt depth was higher.The levels of tumor necrosis factor α, Toll-like receptor 4, lipopolysaccharide, nuclear factor kappa-B, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in group F were higher in group F than in group N, whereas the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and aquaporins (AQP) 4 and AQP5 were lower.Proteobacteria were more abundant in group F than in group N, whereas Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were less abundant.Conclusions and Relevance: Oral florfenicol might adversely affect the intestinal mucosa, intestinal mucosal immune system, intestinal microbiota balance, and water metabolism in broilers.This study provides a theoretical basis for the rational use of florfenicol.

Source: Journal of Veterinary Science

DOI: 10.4142/jvs.24194

Authors: Weiqi Shen, Keyao Wang, Yufeng Han, Huimin Wang, Zhibian Duan

Institution: Shanxi Agricultural University

Language: English

Topic: Animal Nutrition and Physiology

Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $300