Impairment of the phosphotransfer network and performance in broiler chickens experimentally infected by Eimeria spp.: The role of the oxidative stress

Epidemiological Survey on Post Mortem Coccidiosis in Broiler Chicken in Bejaia Province, Northern Algeria

AIM

The epidemiological survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of eimeriosis in broiler chickens slaughtered depending the season, to determine the different Eimeria species causing the coccidiosis in poultry farms; and to assess the impact of Eimeria parasite on histomorphological structure and oxidative stress parameters of the intestine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted from December 2018 to December 2019 in the province of Bejaia, Algeria. The intestines chickens (n = 366) were obtained immediately after slaughter, each cut into different segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and caecum). Microscopic and parasitological examinations were performed according to standard procedures. Histomorphometric measurements of intestine were obtained using Image J software. Oxidative stress parameters were carried out from intestine tissue.

RESULTS

Eimeria spp. were detected in 73.77% (95% CI 71.20-76.34) of broiler gut samples. The prevalence varied significantly according to the season, with the lowest rates in winter (42.81%, 95% CI 40.35-45.27) and the highest in autumn (97.92%, 95% CI 97.6-99.4). All seven Eimeria species were identified, most commonly E. necatrix (27.70%), E. brunetti (26.47%), and E. tenella (20.96%). The mean lesion score ranged from 1.51 ± 0.05 to 1.79 ± 0.04. Significant differences in VH/CD ratio of intestinal epithelium (P < 0.001) were observed in different intestinal portions of infested broiler chickens compared to non-infested. The mean MDA concentration of intestinal segments was significantly higher in Eimeria species infested broilers compared to non-infested (P < 0.05). The results show at least one difference in CAT, SOD, and ABTS-+ concentrations (P < 0.05) in both chicken's groups.

CONCLUSION

Our results revealed that coccidiosis is extremely prevalent in slaughtered broilers, with an abundance of pathogenic Eimeria species. Also, it was concluded that infestation induces tissue structure alterations which coincides with the oxidative damage.

Chicken -defensin-1 peptide as a candidate anticoccidial agent in broiler chickens

The current study aimed to investigate the potentiality of using avian β-defensin-1 peptide as a candidate agent against coccidiosis infection in broiler chicken.We employed an in-silico analysis to study the primary structure of β-defensin-1 peptide as well as its 3-D and molecular dynamic structures. This will also enable obtaining adequate information about the mode of action of these peptides and the intra-cellular transduction pathways. The results revealed no significant difference among groups of broiler chicken in terms of body weight before the Eimeria challenge.The results of our study indicated a significant reduction in oocyst count in birds administered β-defensin-1 peptide treatment, vis-a-vis healthy birds. The treated group showed a 2-3 times reduction in oocyst count, compared to the positive control group. The Eimeria oocysts count evaluated for birds administered with β-defensin-1 after the Eimeria challenge showed a significant difference. The study indicated significant reduction and down-regulation in the level of expression of β-defensin 1 and 4 in the control and treatment groups.This electrostatic profile and hydrophobicity regulate the functioning of this peptide. The results may help in the development of novel approaches that could be used as alternatives or adjunct to the existing means of coccidiosis control in broilers.

Effects of Chlorogenic Acid on Performance, Anticoccidial Indicators, Immunity, Antioxidant Status, and Intestinal Barrier Function in Coccidia-Infected Broilers

The effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on growth performance, anticoccidial indicators (oocysts per gram of excreta, cecal lesion score, and bloody diarrhea score), immunity, antioxidant status, and intestinal barrier function in coccidia-infected broilers were investigated. A total of 240 one-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into four groups with six replicates of ten broilers each for 42 days. Four treatments included control diet (non-infected control, NC), control diet +Eimeria infection (infected control, IC), control diet +0.5 g/kg CGA + Eimeria infection (CGA0.5), and control diet +1 g/kg CGA + Eimeria infection (CGA1). At day 14, each broiler in IC, CGA0.5, and CGA1 groups was orally inoculated with 1 mL saline containing 4 × 105 sporulated oocysts. The results showed that the CGA1 group increased the average daily gain by 12.57% (p < 0.001) and decreased the feed/gain ratio (p = 0.010) and mortality (p = 0.030) by 13.00% and 77.76%, respectively, of broilers from 14 to 42 days compared with the IC group. The CGA1 group decreased the oocysts per gram of excreta (p < 0.001) and bloody diarrhea score (p = 0.001) compared with the IC group. The CGA0.5 and CGA1 groups increased total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.001) at day 21 and villus height (p < 0.001) in the duodenum and jejunum at day 42, and decreased the levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) (p = 0.002), malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.001), D-lactic acid (p < 0.001), and diamine oxidase (DAO) (p < 0.001) at day 21 and the levels of MDA (p < 0.001) and D-lactic acid (p = 0.003) at day 42 compared with the IC group. In the CGA1 group, villus height in the duodenum (p < 0.001) and jejunum (p = 0.017) increased at day 21 and in the ileum (p < 0.001) at day 42, and the level of DAO (p < 0.001) decreased at day 42 compared with the IC group. Broilers in the IC group had a higher IL-6 level (p = 0.048) at day 42 and lower IL-10 (p = 0.027) and immunoglobulin A (p = 0.042) levels at day 21, and IL-10 level (p = 0.017) at day 42 than those in the NC group, while no significant differences were observed among the NC, CGA0.5, and CGA1 groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 1 g/kg CGA improved growth performance, immunity, antioxidant status, and intestinal barrier function in coccidia-infected broilers.

The effects of tributyrin supplementation on weight gain and intestinal gene expression in broiler chickens during Eimeria maxima-induced coccidiosis

Butyrate is a feed additive that has been shown to have antibacterial properties and improve gut health in broilers. Here, we examined the performance and gene expression changes in the ileum of tributyrin–supplemented broilers infected with coccidia. Ninety-six, Ross 708 broilers were fed either a control corn–soybean–based diet (−BE) or a diet supplemented with 0.25% (w/w) tributyrin (+BE). Birds were further divided into groups that were inoculated with Eimeria maxima oocysts (EM) or sham-inoculated (C) on day 21 posthatch. At 7 d postinfection (7 d PI), the peak of pathology in E. maxima infection, tributyrin-supplemented birds had significantly improved feed conversion ratios (FCR, P < 0.05) and body weight gain (BWG, P < 0.05) compared with -BE-infected birds, despite both groups having similar feed intake (FI, P > 0.05). However, at 10 d post-infection (10 d PI) no significant effects of feed type or infection were observed. Gene expression in the ileum was examined for insights into possible effects of infection and tributyrin supplementation on genes encoding proteins related to immunity, digestion, and gut barrier integrity. Among immune-related genes examined, IL-1B and LEAP2 were only significantly affected at 7 d PI. Transcription of genes related to digestion (APN, MCT1, FABP2, and MUC2) were primarily influenced by infection at 7 d PI and tributyrin supplementation (FABP2 and MUC2) at 10 d PI. With exception of ZO1, tight junction genes were affected by either infection or feed type at 7 d PI. At 10 d PI, only CLDN1 was not affected by either infection or feed type. Overall tributyrin shows promise as a supplement to improve performance during coccidiosis in broiler chickens; however, its effect on gene expression and mode of action requires further research.

Involvement of the phosphoryl transfer network in gill bioenergetic imbalance of pacamã (Lophiosilurus alexandri) subjected to hypoxia: notable participation of creatine kinase

Hypoxia is among the most critical environmental stressors for fish in aquatic environments, and several energetic alterations have been associated with it. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the involvement of the phosphoryl transfer network and its effects on adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent enzymes during hypoxia, as well as the role of oxidative stress in the activity of the phosphoryl transfer network in pacamã (Lophiosilurus alexandri) subjected to severe hypoxia. Branchial creatine kinase (CK; cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions), adenylate kinase (AK), and pyruvate kinase (PK) activities were inhibited after 72 h of exposure to hypoxia compared to their respective normoxia groups, and remained low (except for AK) after 24 and 72 h of re-oxygenation. Activities of the branchial sodium-potassium pump (Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase) and proton pump (H⁺-ATPase) were inhibited in fish exposed to 72 h of hypoxia compared to the normoxia group, remained inhibited after 24 h of re-oxygenation, and were restored to physiological levels after 72 h of re-oxygenation. Levels of branchial reactive oxygen species (ROS) were higher in fish exposed to hypoxia for 72 h compared to the normoxia group, and increased during re-oxygenation. Lipid peroxidation (LOOH) levels were higher in fish subjected to 72 h of hypoxia compared to the normoxia group, and remained higher during re-oxygenation. On the other hand, protein sulfhydryl (PSH) levels were lower in fish exposed to hypoxia for 72 h compared to the normoxia group, and remained low during re-oxygenation. Based on this evidence, inhibition of the activities of enzymes belonging to phosphoryl transfer network contributed to impairing energetic homeostasis linked to ATP production and ATP utilization in gills of pacamã subjected to hypoxia, and remained inhibited during re-oxygenation (except AK activity). Moreover, inhibition of the phosphoryl transfer network impaired activity of ATP-dependent enzymes, which can be mediated by ROS overproduction, lipid peroxidation, and oxidation of SH groups.