Association analysis between feed efficiency and expression of key genes of the avTOR signaling pathway in meat-type ducks

Gut–brain bidirectional determination in regulating the residual feed intake of small-sized meat ducks

“…Improving feed efficiency ( FE ) to lower the cost of input is currently the primary target for promoting the sustainable production of small-sized meat ducks ( Yang et al, 2019 ). In recent decades, the improvement of FE by decreasing the feed conversion ratio ( FCR ) has been studied through both genetic selection and nutritional strategies ( Kelly et al, 2019 ; Poompramun et al, 2021 ), revealing a close association between the intrinsic variation of FE and the functionality and integrity of the intestine, absorptivity-related gene expression, digestibility, and gut microbial composition ( Basso et al, 2012 ; Zeng et al, 2018 ; Li et al, 2023 ).…”