# Microplastics: a potential threat to gut microbiota and antioxidant capacity of broiler chickens

## TL;DR

This study shows that microplastics can harm the gut health and antioxidant defenses of broiler chickens, which could impact livestock production and food safety.

## Contribution

The study is one of the first to investigate the effects of microplastics on gut microbiota and antioxidant capacity in broiler chickens.

## Key findings

- Microplastics exposure increased serum AST, ALT, and MDA levels while decreasing SOD and GSH-Px levels in broiler chickens.
- Gut microbiota alpha diversity decreased, with significant shifts in microbial structure and function.
- Microplastics altered gut microbial functions related to energy metabolism, coenzyme transport, and amino acid metabolism.

## Abstract

The detrimental effects of microplastics on environmental and biological health have been extensively documented, encompassing various aspects such as growth inhibition, metabolic disorders, and organ damage. However, current research predominantly focuses on model organisms, with limited studies investigating their effects on broiler chickens. Therefore, this study aims to examine the impact of microplastics exposure on the gut microbiota and antioxidant function in broiler chickens. The results indicated that microplastics significantly affect serum biochemical and antioxidant parameters, evidenced by marked increases in AST, ALT, and MDA levels, alongside decreases in SOD and GSH-Px levels. Microbiome analysis revealed a significant decrease in the alpha diversity of the gut microbiota, accompanied by significant alterations in microbial structure. Additionally, metastats analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the relative abundances of one phylum and 12 genera during microplastics exposure, contrasted with a significant decrease in the relative abundances of three phyla and 108 genera. Importantly, microplastics exposure also led to changes in gut microbial function, affecting energy metabolism, coenzyme transport and metabolism, and amino acid metabolism, etc. In summary, our study demonstrates that microplastics can adversely affect the health of broiler chickens by reducing their antioxidant capacity, and causing gut microbial dysbiosis. In light of the increasing pollution from microplastics, this study provides crucial information for assessing the risks posed by microplastics to livestock production. Furthermore, future research should prioritize monitoring the migration of microplastics within the food chain and examining their long-term effects on biological behavior and ecological functions.