Figure 3
The relative mRNA expression levels (normalized to the β-actin expression level as the most accurate endogenous control gene) of glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP2), heat shock protein (HSP70), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), junctional adhesion molecule 2 (JAM2), zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and trefoil factor 2 (TFF2) in the gut tissue of chickens. The chickens were fed a control diet (CON), CON supplemented with 15 g of hemp extract (CBD)/kg of diet, CON supplemented with 0.5 mg of nanosized selenium particles (Nano-Se)/kg of diet, or CON supplemented with both additives (CBD + Nano-Se). At 15, 16, 17 and 18 days of age, the chickens in each experimental group and the positive control (CON-positive) group were orally infected with 1 mL of 108 CFU/mL C. perfringens inoculate. A coccidial cocktail (1 mL) was administered before C. perfringens challenge to all chickens. a,b,cThe different letters indicate significant differences (P < 0.01). The error bars indicate the mean standard error values for the 8 chickens in each dietary treatment group.