Effects of Enteromorpha prolifera polysaccharides on growth performance, intestinal barrier function and cecal microbiota in yellow-feathered broilers under heat stress.

EPS can be used as a feed additive in yellow-feathered broilers. It effectively improves growth performance and alleviates HS-induced intestinal injury by relieving inflammatory damage and improving the tight junction proteins expression. These beneficial effects may be related to inhibiting NF-κB/MLCK signaling pathway activation and regulation of cecal microbiota.