Fig. 2 | Scientific Reports

Fig. 2

From: Maternal β-carotene supplementation improves offspring growth, development, immunity, and intestinal microbiota in chickens via immune-mediated and microbial-mediated maternal effects

Fig. 2

Enhanced immunity in hens can improve the growth and intestinal development of their offspring. a The weight of offspring embryos and chicks. n = 6. b Villus height in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of offspring embryos and chicks. c Crypt depth in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of offspring embryos and chicks. Data are shown as the means ± SEMs, n = 6. A two-way ANOVA was performed using GLM, and different letters indicate significant differences (P < 0.05). d Representative morphological images of H&E-stained of the guts of embryos (E15, E19, and E21) and chicks (C7, C14, and C21). Bar = 100 μm, Bar (C7 duodenum) = 200 μm, Bar (C21 jejunum, and ileum) = 250 μm. Bar (C14 and C21 duodenum) = 500 μm. CON, control group with hens fed basic diet; BC, experimental group with their hens receiving a basal diet supplemented with β-carotene.

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