Abstract

The objective of this research was to compare the influence of overfeeding on slaughter performance and small intestinal physiology and microbiota between Gang goose and Tianfu Meat Goose. Fifty Gang geese were randomly divided into the control group and overfed group, as were fifty Tianfu Meat geese. All geese were slaughtered after 3 weeks of overfeeding. After overeating, the results indicated that the liver weight, villus height to crypt depth ratio in duodenum and ileum, and the activity of invertase and maltase enzymes of Tianfu Meat goose was higher than those of Gang goose. However, the subcutaneous adipose tissue weight of Gang goose was higher than that of Tianfu Meat goose. Moreover, the Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus-Polymerase Chain Reaction (ERIC-PCR) fingerprint indicated that the band number of intestinal bacteria in each small intestinal segment decreased in Gang goose and increased in Tianfu Meat goose. The Enterobacter had a higher gene expression in the jejunum of Gang goose than that of Tianfu Meat goose and Escherichia coli the gene expression decreased in the ileum of Tianfu Meat goose after overfeeding. In conclusion, Tianfu Meat goose’s liver weight, small intestinal digestion and absorption capacity and microbiota homeostasis were much better than those of Gang goose. Therefore, Tianfu Meat goose is more suitable for foie gras production. The results of the present study will provide a reference for the use of goose breeding for overfeeding and the relationship between intestinal physiology and the mechanism of goose fatty liver formation.