Influence of ellagitannins (Chestnut Wood Extract) in drinking water on growth, meat quality, muscle growth and intestinal health of European meat pigeon squabs

Ellagitannins (ETs) are plant tannins from chestnut wood with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This study assessed adding ETs to drinking water on growth, slaughter traits, meat characteristics, serum immunity, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health in squabs (postnatal pigeons from 0 to 28 days of age, as defined by NY/T 3651-2020). In total, 360 pairs of pigeons were randomly divided into four groups and received 0, 250, 350, 450 g/t ETs in drinking water for 30 days. Growth performance, slaughter yields, meat tenderness, jejunal morphology, serum biochemical indices, gene expression related to intestinal barrier and myogenesis, and cecal microbiota composition were analyzed. The 350 g/t ETs provided the best outcomes: highest nest weight gain, better feed conversion ratio, increased live weight and breast muscle yield and the lowest shear force (meat tenderness).ETs also improved intestinal health by elevating the villus-to-crypt (V/C) ratio, up-regulating tight junction gene expression, and modulating the cecal microbiota, particularly by increasing the abundance of beneficial Bacillota . Serum IgG levels demonstrated a dose-dependent increase with ETs supplementation. Correlation analysis showed Turicibacter abundance favorably correlated with growth performance and myogenic gene expression, whereas Escherichia-Shigella abundance showed correlations with increased antioxidant capacity and reduced myofiber diameter, consistent with a stress-associated response. Microbiota analysis revealed that Escherichia-Shigella was enriched in the ET450 group, and correlation analysis further linked its abundance to increased antioxidant capacity and reduced myofiber diameter, suggesting a stress-associated response at the highest dose. In conclusion, dietary ellagitannins, especially at 350 g/t via drinking water, effectively enhanced the growth, meat quality, and gut health of European meat pigeon squabs.