The intestinal tract is not only the central site for the digestion and absorption of nutrients, but also a natural barrier against pathogens, and its health is closely related to growth performance and immune capacity of livestock and poultry. Therefore, improving the intestinal health of livestock and poultry has become a research hotspot among scholars. Plant essential oils (PEO), low molecular weight secondary plant metabolites extracted from plants, have been shown to have positive effects on improving intestinal health, such as enhancing intestinal barrier function and promoting the colonization of beneficial gut microbiota. In this paper, the effects of PEO on the intestinal health of livestock and poultry are systematically reviewed from the aspects of intestinal morphology, intestinal barrier function, and intestinal microbiota, and the potential mechanisms are discussed, in order to provide references for the development and application of PEO.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |