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BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Distiller's grains are a by‐product of liquor production with a higher yield than liquor. Developing and utilizing distiller's grains well could alleviate the problem of scarce feed resources. Our present experiment was conducted with 6000 yellow‐feathered broilers to study the effects of adding distiller's grains yeast cultures (DGYC) to the diet on growth performance and immunity of broilers. The broilers were divided into five groups, receiving different DGYC concentrations during two stages. Growth performance, intestinal microorganisms and immune organ development were measured.The results showed that groups B and D, supplemented with medium and high concentrations of DGYC, respectively, had significantly improved growth performance compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Group D also showed higher immune organ index (P < 0.01), increased serum total protein, high‐density lipoprotein and immunoglobulin levels (P < 0.05) and lower levels of low‐density lipoprotein, triglycerides, interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α (P < 0.05). Hematoxylin and eosin staining confirmed improved immune organ development in group D (P < 0.05). Furthermore, in high‐concentration group D, levels of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA; acetic, propionic and butyric acids) in cecal chyme were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The richness (Chao1) and diversity (Faith‐pd) index of cecal microbiota were significantly higher in group D compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The microbial composition in group D differed from the control and medium‐concentration group B. Seven bacteria (Clostridia‐UCG‐014, UCG‐009, DTU089, UCG‐010, Campylobacter, Harryflintia, Shuttleworthia) showed significant differences (P < 0.05). After DGYC feeding, DTU089 decreased, while other SCFA‐producing bacteria increased (P < 0.05). Subsequently, KEGG function and corresponding signal pathway predictions were performed on bacteria with significant differences. Group D exhibited a higher enrichment of immune function pathways (P < 0.01) and showed significant changes in four immune signaling pathways according to the signal pathway heatmap.Our data suggest that high concentrations of DGYC can be applied as a feed additive for broilers that promotes growth, improves intestinal health and enhances certain immunity. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lncRNA (long non-coding RNA) has been confirmed to be associated with growth, development, cell proliferation, and other biological processes. This study explored the potential role and dynamic change process of lncRNAs and related ceRNA (competitive endogenous RNA) networks in skeletal muscle development of the Yangtze River Delta White (YDW) goat, and to analyze the differences in muscle fiber characteristics and meat quality levels of goats at different growth stages. In this study, we compared the expression profiles of lncRNAs in the M. Longissimus dorsi of the YDW goats at different stages of growth and development by RNA sequencing. The results revealed that, in terms of muscle fiber characteristics, muscle fiber diameter and muscle fiber area were significantly larger in 6-month-old and 10-month-old goats than those in 2-month-old goats ( p < 0.01). In terms of muscle quality, a* and b* values of 6-month-old goats were significantly higher than those of 2-month-old goats ( p < 0.01). Additionally, the a*, b*, and L* values of 6-month-old goats were significantly higher than those of 10-month-old goats ( p < 0.01). The pH at 45 min post-mortem (pH 45min ) in 10-month-old goats was significantly higher than that in 2-month-old goats ( p = 0.006). However, the pH at 24 h post-mortem (pH 24h ) in 10-month-old goats was significantly lower than that in both 2-month-old and 6-month-old goats ( p < 0.01). Shear force increased gradually with age ( p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in drip loss among the different age groups ( p > 0.05). Among the identified lncRNA expression profiles, a total of 3073 lncRNAs were found, including 2676 known lncRNAs and 397 novel lncRNAs. Of these, 110, 93, and 99 lncRNAs were specifically expressed in 2-month-old, 6-month-old, and 10-month-old goats, respectively. The lncRNA target gene enrichment analysis showed that they were mainly involved in actin binding, the actin cytoskeleton, the myocardin complex, as well as the AMPK, FoxO, and GnRH signaling pathways. When constructing the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network, it was found that the ceRNA networks centered on chi-miR-758 and chi-miR-127-5p were involved in muscle development across all three periods, suggesting that they may play an important role in goat muscle growth and development.