Curcumin Mitigates Fumonisin B1-Induced Ovarian Toxicity in Peak-Laying Ducks via Hormone Metabolic Protection and Enhanced Reproductive Resilience

The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of curcumin (Cur) on reproductive toxicity induced by fumonisin B1 (FB1) in laying ducks during the peak egg-laying period. A total of seventy-two 50-week-old Cherry Valley ducks were randomly assigned to four groups: control, FB1 (30 mg/kg), Cur (200 mg/kg), and Cur + FB1 (200 mg/kg + 30 mg/kg). The experiment lasted for 35 days. Our results showed that cur supplementation effectively restored the reductions in final body weight (p = 0.005) and oviduct length (p = 0.020) induced by FB1 exposure. Residual FB1 concentrations in serum, liver, and ovaries were markedly increased in the FB1-treated group, while Cur significantly decreased the FB1 residual in duck liver (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, Cur supplementation markedly counteracted the FB1-induced reductions in serum total protein, albumin, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein induced by FB1 exposure. Cur supplementation effectively regulated FB1-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption. Specifically, Cur lowered FB1-induced malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.010), attenuated interleukin-1β increase (p = 0.083), and reversed the reduction in immunoglobulin G levels. FB increased the levels of hormones associated with duck reproduction, including estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone; in contrast, curcumin supplementation decreased the levels of these hormones (p < 0.010). Histopathological analysis revealed that Cur significantly alleviated the inflammation and necrosis in the liver, kidneys, ovaries, and oviducts induced by FB1. In conclusion, dietary Cur supplementation effectively alleviated FB1-induced reproductive toxicity in laying ducks by enhancing antioxidant capacity, improving lipid metabolism, and restoring hormonal homeostasis.