The Effects of Resveratrol on Growth Performance, Serum Indicators, and Intestinal Function of Geese Under Heat Stress Conditions

The study sought to ascertain the impact of resveratrol on the gut microbiome, gut morphology, serum biochemical indicator, and growth performance of geese subjected to heat stress. Three hundred one-day-old male Wanxi white geese were randomly allocated into five groups, each consisting of six replicates of ten geese. The dietary treatments consisted of four heat stress groups receiving 0, 200, 500, or 1,000 mg/kg of resveratrol, alongside a control group maintained at room temperature without resveratrol. The duration of the experiment was 35 days. The results indicated that the final body weight of the heat stress group significantly diminished (<italic>p &lt;</italic> 0.05). The body weight disparity with the control group was nullified following the administration of resveratrol (<italic>p &gt;</italic> 0.05). The control group's average daily feed intake exceeded that of the heat stress group, while the 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg resveratrol groups under heat stress exhibited no difference in intake (<italic>p &gt;</italic> 0.05). The concentrations of alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase were markedly elevated, whereas albumin and glucose levels were substantially diminished in the heat stress group (<italic>p &lt;</italic> 0.05); however, these alterations were effectively alleviated by the administration of 500 mg/kg or 1,000 mg/kg of resveratrol. Concerning antioxidant indicators, malondialdehyde levels were markedly elevated, whereas glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity were significantly diminished in the heat stress group relative to the control group (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). Nonetheless, these markers exhibited substantial enhancement when supplemented with 500 mg/kg or 1,000 mg/kg of resveratrol. Heat stress diminished the height of jejunal villi and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth. Supplementation with 500 mg/kg or 1,000 mg/kg of resveratrol significantly diminished the prevalence of Proteobacteria and enhanced the population of butyrate-producing bacteria, including <italic>Butyricicoccus</italic> and <italic>Prevotella</italic>. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 500 mg/kg or 1,000 mg/kg of resveratrol during heat stress markedly improved growth performance, enhanced serum antioxidant parameters and intestinal morphology, reduced the prevalence of Proteobacteria, and elevated the activity of Butyrate-producing microorganisms in geese.