WGCNA Analysis of Important Modules and Hub Genes of Compound Probiotics Regulating Lipid Metabolism in Heat-Stressed Broilers

This study aimed to study compound probiotics’ (<i>Lactobacillus casei</i>, <i>Lactobacillus acidophilus</i> and <i>Bifidobacterium</i>) effects on production performance, lipid metabolism and meat quality in heat-stressed broilers. A total of 400 one-day-old AA broilers were randomly divided into four groups, each containing the same five replicates, with 20 broilers in each replicate. The control (21 °C) and experiment 2 were fed a basic corn–soybean meal diet. Experiment 1 (21 °C) and experiment 3 were fed a basic corn–soybean meal diet with 10 g/kg compound probiotics on days 7 and 28, respectively. The ambient temperature of experiment 2 and experiment 3 was increased to 30–32 °C (9:00–17:00) for 28–42 days, while the temperature for the other time was kept at 21 °C. The results showed that, compared with the control, the production performance and the content of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in experiment 1 and triglyceride (TG) in experiment 2 increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Compared with experiment 2, TG decreased and the production performance increased in experiment 3 (<i>p</i> < 0.05). However, there was no significant change in meat quality indicators. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to analyze the intramuscular fat, abdominal fat and five blood lipid indicators. We found five related modules. Fatty acid biosynthesis, glycerolipid metabolism, and fat digestion and absorption were the pathways for KEGG enrichment. Additionally, <i>NKX2-1</i>, <i>TAS2R40</i>, <i>PTH</i>, <i>CPB1</i>, <i>SLCO1B3</i>, <i>GNB3</i> and <i>AQP7</i> may be the hub genes of compound probiotics regulating lipid metabolism in heat-stressed broilers. In conclusion, this study identified the key genes of compound probiotics regulating lipid metabolism and provided a theoretical basis for the poultry breeding industry to alleviate heat stress.