Intestinal integrity and performance of broiler chickens fed a probiotic, a prebiotic, or an organic acid

Diets Supplemented with Probiotics Improve the Performance of Broilers Exposed to Heat Stress from 15 Days of Age

The poultry sector demands alternative additives to antibiotics that can be used as performance enhancers. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the probiotics effects on performance, intestinal health, and redox status of 720 broilers exposed to heat stress from 15 days of age. Eight dietary treatments were evaluated: basal diet (BD) without antibiotic and probiotic (T1); BD supplemented with antibiotic zinc bacitracin (T2), BD supplemented with commercial probiotic of Bacillus subtilis DSM 17,299 (T3), BD supplemented with non-commercial probiotic of Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118, Lactobacillus delbrueckii CNRZ 327, Escherichia coli CEC15, or Saccharomyces boulardii (T4 to T7), and BD simultaneously supplemented with the four non-commercial probiotics (T8). Feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion were determined in the period from 1 to 42 days of age. Carcass and cuts yield, abdominal fat deposition, cloacal temperature, weight and length of intestine, activity of myeloperoxidase and eosinophilic peroxidase enzymes in the jejunum, jejunal histomorphometry, relative gene expression in the jejunum (occludin, zonulin, interleukin-8, cholecystokinin, ghrelin, and heat shock protein-70), and liver (heat shock protein-70), in addition to malondialdehyde level and superoxide dismutase activity in the intestine, liver, and blood, were measured in broilers at 42 days old. As main results, broilers fed T1 diet exhibited lower weight gain (3.222 kg) and worse feed conversion (1.70 kg/kg). However, diets containing non-commercial probiotics resulted in up to 3.584 kg of weight gain and improved feed conversion by up to 10%, similar to that observed for broilers of the T2 and T3 groups.

Synergistic effect of probiotic, chicory root powder and coriander seed powder on growth performance, antioxidant activity and gut health of broiler chickens

Gut health plays an important role on production and performance of broilers. This trial was undertaken with an aim to evaluate the synergistic effect of probiotic, chicory root powder and coriander seed powder on the performance and gut health of broiler chicken. For this purpose, a total of 240 day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted to six dietary treatments with 8 replicates of 5 birds in each. Treatment groups included T1 as control i.e., basal diet (BD) without any growth promoter and T2-BD + antibiotic (BMD 0.05%). In the remaining experimental diets, T3-probiotic (@ 0.01%) + chicory root powder (@ 1.0%), T4-probiotic (@ 0.01%) + coriander seed powder (@ 1.5%), T5-chicory root powder (@ 1.0%) + coriander seed powder (@ 1.5%) and T6-probiotic (@ 0.01%) + chicory root powder (@ 1.0%) + coriander seed powder (@ 1.5%). The results indicated that supplementation of probiotic + chicory (T3), probiotic + coriander (T4), chicory + coriander (T5) and probiotic + chicory + coriander (T6) in combination resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher weight gain and better FCR compared to control and antibiotic groups at 42 d of age. Supplementation of different dietary groups did not show any significant (P>0.05) effect on feed intake of broilers. Supplementation of all the test diets (T3 to T6) significantly (P<0.05) increased the glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), glutathione reductase (GSHRx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity when compared to control and antibiotic groups at 42 d of age. Supplementation of all the test diets (T3 to T6) significantly (P<0.05) lowered the pH in the gut, increased Lactobacillus counts, and reduced E. coli and Salmonella counts in the ileum compared to control and antibiotic groups. Supplementation of all the test diets (T3 to T6) significantly (P<0.05) increased the villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), VH:CD ratio and villus width (VW) in the duodenum and only VH and CD in the ileum compared to control and antibiotic groups. Significantly (P<0.05) higher jejunal VH and VW and increased the goblet cell number in duodenum, jejunum and ileum was recorded in all test diets (T3 to T6) compared to control and antibiotic groups. Therefore, combinations of probiotic (0.01%), chicory root powder (1.0%) and coriander seed powder (1.5%) can be used as feed additive for improving performance and gut health of broiler chicken.

Effects of mannan-oligosaccharide supplementation on gut health, immunity, and production performance of broilers

The study was designed to investigate the effect of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation on intestinal histomorphology, immunity against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and productive parameters of broilers. A total of 1800, day old broiler chicks of Cobb-500 strain were selected and randomly assorted into 6 treatment groups: T1 (basal diet without antibiotics as negative control); T2 (basal diet plus antibiotics as positive control group); T3 (basal diet plus 200g/ton MOS); T4 (basal diet plus 400g/ton MOS); T5 (basal diet plus 600g/ton MOS) and T6 (basal diet plus 800g/ton MOS). Each treatment was having 6 replicates and the feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded on weekly basis. Results showed that, MOS supplemented birds have significantly higher feed intake, weight gain and FCR (P < 0.05). Similarly, supplementation of MOS showed positive effect on villus height and crypt depth both in jejunum and ilium. Goblet cell density was unaffected by MOS addition (P < 0.05). Furthermore, birds fed with diets containing MOS, exhibited better productive performance in comparison to positive and negative control groups. In conclusion, MOS can replace antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) as non-microbial performance-enhancing feed advocates.

Emulsifier and enzymatic complex in diet for free range broiler chicken in the western amazon

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding levels of emulsifier based on soy lecithin and enzymatic complex (xylanase, β-glucanase, galactosidase, protease, amylase, and β-mannanase) on the basal diet during the raising of free-range broiler chickens. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five treatments and six replications. Treatments were: T1: control diet, without enzymatic complex and emulsifier; T2: 0.2 kg t-1 of enzymatic complex; T3: 0.5 kg t-1 of emulsifier; T4: 0.2 kg t-1 of enzymatic complex + 0.5 kg t-1 of emulsifier; and T5: 0.3 kg t-1 of enzymatic complex + 1 kg t-1 of emulsifier. Performance data were collected every 14 days, and the animals were euthanized at 70 days to obtain carcass, breast, drumstick, and thigh yield and intestine collection for pH analysis and morphometry. The periods from 1 to 56 and 1 to 70 days showed a difference (P<0.05) in the parameters of zootechnical performance, the feed intake was lower in T4 and T5, and weight gain was better in T1, T2, T3, and T4. Feed conversion was better in T1, T2, and T4. No difference (P>0.05) was observed for poultry livability, carcass yield, viscera, and pH of duodenum and cecum. A difference was found for intestinal morphometry (P<0.05), and T5 showed the best villus/crypt ratio. The level with 0.3 kg t-1 of enzymatic complex and 1 kg t-1 of emulsifier indicated a better relationship between villi and crypts. However, the level with 0.2 kg t-1 of enzymatic complex and 0.5 kg t-1 of emulsifier added to the commercial diet led to benefits such as decreased feed intake, without affecting weight gain, thus inducing a good feed conversion.

Emulsificante e complexo enzimático em dieta para frangos de corte de linhagem caipira na Amazônia ocidental

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da adição de níveis de emulsificante à base de lecitina de soja e complexo enzimático (Xilanase, β-Glucanase, Galactosidase, Protease, Amilase, β-Mananase) na ração basal durante a criação de frangos de corte de linhagem caipira. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com 5 tratamentos e 6 repetições. Os tratamentos foram: T1: ração controle, sem complexo enzimático e emulsificante; T2: 0,2 kg t-1 de complexo enzimático; T3: 0,5 kg t-1 de emulsificante; T4: 0,2 kg t-1 de complexo enzimático + 0,5 kg t-1 de emulsificante; T5: 0,3 kg t-1 de complexo enzimático + 1 kg t-1 de emulsificante. A cada 14 dias foram coletados os dados do desempenho zootécnico e após 70 dias as aves foram eutanasiadas para obtenção do rendimento de carcaça, peito, coxa, sobrecoxa e coleta do intestino para análise de pH e morfometria. Nos períodos de 1 a 56 e 1 a 70 dias houve diferença (P<0,05) nos parâmetros de desempenho zootécnico, o consumo de ração foi menor no T4 e T5, e o ganho de peso foi melhor no T1, T2, T3 e T4. A conversão foi melhor em T1, T2 e T4. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) na viabilidade das aves, no rendimento de carcaça, cortes de vísceras e no pH de duodeno e cecos. Houve diferença na morfometria intestinal (P<0,05), sendo o T5 o que obteve melhor relação vilo/cripta. O nível 0,3 kg t-1 complexo enzimático com 1 kg t-1 emulsificante indicou melhor efeito na relação vilosidade e criptas. O nível com 0,2 kg t-1 do complexo enzimático com 0,5 kg t-1 do emulsificante adicionado a dieta comercial trouxe benefícios como diminuição do consumo de ração, sem afetar o ganho de peso, tendo assim uma boa conversão alimentar.

Effect of probiotic supplementation on performance, morphology and gene expression associated with immune responses in early age of broiler chickens exposed to stress induced by corticosterone injection

Context Broiler chickens are exposed to various stressors, which can affect production performance. The use of dietary probiotics is one of the feasible methods to maintain performance, intestinal health, humeral immunity, and ameliorating physiological stress in the broiler. Aims In all, 288 1-day-old male broiler chicks were used to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation on performance, morphology, and gene expression associated with immune responses in the starter phase of broiler chickens exposed to stress. Methods In total, 288 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were assigned to evaluate the effects of Bacillus subtilis spore (BSS; Gallipro®200) supplementation at three levels (0, 0.8 × 105 colony-forming units (CFU) and 1.6 × 105 CFU/g feed) with corticosterone (CORT; 4 mg/kg BW at 7–9 days of age) or without CORT (oil) subcutaneous injection. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomised 2 × 3 factorial design. Key results CORT injection and probiotic supplementation led to an increase and decrease respectively, in food conversion ratio compared with the control group (P < 0.05). CORT injections reduced the expression of TLR4, HSP70 and IgA in all parts of the intestine. However, the TLR4 gene expression increased in jejunum by CORT injections. BSS supplementation induced the expression of TLR4 in all sections of the intestine, both in stress and non-stress conditions. In stress-exposed chickens, IgA expression in the jejunum was affected by BSS supplementation. Interaction effects between CORT injections and BSS supplementation on the gene expression were significant in different parts of the intestine. Conclusions Chicks exposed to stress conditions induced by CORT injection showed that the ileum was more susceptible than were the other parts, especially for TLR4 and HSP70 gene expression. BSS-supplemented birds showed more capability to face the stress condition, probably due to intestinal health and immunity-modulated effect of BSS. Implication Formulating a ration with a probiotic can be more effective in stress conditions, through modulating immune-responsive genes in the intestine.

Oxidative and Epigenetic Changes and Gut Permeability Response in Early-Treated Chickens with Antibiotic or Probiotic

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the use of enrofloxacin and a probiotic containing Enterococcus faecium and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains in the first week of life of chickens on oxidative and epigenetic changes in molecules and intestinal integrity. The three treatments were as follows: the control group received no additive in the drinking water (GC); the second group (GP) received a probiotic preparation in the drinking water during the first five days of life, providing E. faecium strain 4a1713 at 1.0 × 107 CFU/L water and B. amyloliquefaciens 4b1822 at 1.0 × 107 CFU/L water, the third group (GA) received an antibiotic (enrofloxacin 0.5 mL/L water) in the drinking water during the first five days of life. The use of both enrofloxacin and a probiotic containing E. faecium and B. amyloliquefaciens strains in chickens' first week of life improved intestinal integrity and reduced inflammation and oxidative and epigenetic changes in the small intestine. This effect was evident both at 6 days of age and at the end of the rearing period.

The effect of a probiotic preparation containing Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 for chickens on growth performance, immune status, and the histology and microbiological profile of the jejunum

The aim of the study was to determine whether and in what dosage and duration of administration a probiotic containing live cultures of Enterococcus faecium, enriched with vitamin D3 and ascorbic acid, affects the histological and microbiological profile of the intestine, as well as the immunity and growth performance of chickens. The jejunum together with its contents was also collected for microbiological and histological testing. The results obtained indicate that the birds receiving the probiotic preparation in the amount of 0.25 g/L of water during the entire fattening period attained significantly higher bodyweight than the Control, with significantly lower feed conversion. Furthermore, this dosage and duration was most efficient in reducing the total count of fungi, aerobic bacteria and coliform bacteria in the intestinal contents, in addition to increasing the height of the jejunal villi and depth of the crypts. The probiotic administered in the amount of 0.25 g/L of water during the entire fattening period also significantly increased lysozyme activity and the content of IgA in the blood serum as compared with the Control, while decreasing the content of IL-6, and thus most efficiently stimulated non-specific immunity in the chickens.