Limosilactobacillus reuteri enhances production performance and ovarian function via modulation of the gut-ovary axis in laying hens

This study is the first to clarify the regulatory mechanism of bacterial and enzymatic co-fermented feed on laying performance of laying hens from a microbial perspective. The co-fermented feed improved the laying performance, egg quality and tibial microarchitecture of laying hens by optimizing the microbial composition of the cecum, oviduct and ovary, thus delaying ovarian aging and enhancing ovarian function. Furthermore, we found the ovarian microbial composition of laying hens was affected by the oviduct microbiota, which was in turn influenced by the intestinal and cloacal microbiota, providing experimental evidence for the gut-oviduct-ovary axis in laying hens and a new perspective for exploring the correlation between feed nutrition and reproductive performance of laying hens. Video abstract.