Exogenous melatonin alleviates heat stress-induced metabolic slowdown affecting broiler growth by improving lipid metabolism

This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of melatonin (MT) in alleviating lipid metabolism disorders induced by HS in broilers. By establishing a HS model in Shengnong 901 broilers and administering low, medium, and high doses of MT, combined with in vivo experiments and network pharmacology analysis, we elucidated the mechanism by which MT alleviates HS-induced growth retardation through regulating lipid metabolism.

Results showed that MT supplementation significantly improved growth performance in HS broilers. The HS group fell short in comparison, with the HSL, HSM, and HSH groups exhibited reduced serum T-CHO, TG, GLU, and LDL levels (P < 0.05), along with diminished hepatic lipid deposition and oxidative damage, indicating MT's capacity to enhance hepatic lipid metabolism in HS broilers. Network pharmacology screening revealed that MT regulates core lipid metabolism targets via the AMPK/PPARα signaling axis.