Dietary phosphorus source reprograms the kidney-intestine axis to dictate calcium-phosphorus efficiency and egg production in aging hens

Background

The decline in egg production in aging hens poses a significant challenge to sustainable poultry production. Given that evidence suggests the phosphorus source affects late‑lay performance, we tested the hypothesis that the dietary phosphorus source is a decisive regulator sustaining performance by reprogramming systemic mineral homeostasis. Using a systems biology approach, we analyzed the coordinated expression of eleven key mineral transporter genes across the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and kidney of hens fed dicalcium phosphate (DCP) or tricalcium phosphate (TCP).