Effective Microorganisms (EM) Improve Internal Organ Morphology, Intestinal Morphometry and Serum Biochemical Activity in Japanese Quails under Clostridium perfringens Challenge.

Korina Michalska,Daria Murawska,Michał Gesek,Rajmund Sokół,Agnieszka Chłodowska,Mateusz Mikiewicz

doi:10.3390/molecules26092786

Korina Michalska, Daria Murawska + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26092786

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Abstract

The effect of effective microorganisms (EM) on internal organ morphology, intestinal morphometry, and serum biochemical activity in Japanese quails under Clostridium perfringens challenge was determined. After 30 days of EM addition, one group of quails was orally inoculated with Clostridium perfringens. The second group did not receive EM and was inoculated with C. perfringens. In the gut, EM supplementation reduced the number of lesions, enhanced gut health, and protected the mucosa from pathogenic bacteria. EM showed an anti-inflammatory effect and fewer necrotic lesions in villi. In the internal organs, EM showed a protective effect against a typical lesion of C. perfringens infection. Necrosis and degeneration of the hepatocytes, necrosis of bile ducts, and bile duct proliferation were more severe in the infected group without EM. Morphometric evaluation showed significantly higher villi in the jejunum after EM addition. A greater crypt depth was observed in the C. perfringens group. Biochemical analysis of the blood indicated lower cholesterol on the 12th day of the experiment and between-group differences in total protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and albumin levels in the EM group. Further studies are needed to improve EM activity against pathologic bacteria as a potential alternative to antibiotics and to develop future natural production systems.

Highlights

Introduction iationsClostridium perfringens (CP) type A is a major agent causing necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens, turkeys, and Japanese quails worldwide, occurring clinically and subclinically, causing loss of performance and financial loss [1,2]
“focal infiltration” was higher in the CP + effective microorganisms (EM) group, but for diffuse infiltration of lymphoid cells, necrosis of enterocytes, oedema of the villi, and fusion of the villi, the number of lesions was significantly higher in the CP group
Similar in ileum for focal, multifocal, and diffuse infiltration of lymphoid cells. All these lesions are strictly connected with the pathological effect of Clostridium perfringens infection

Summary

Introduction

Clostridium perfringens (CP) type A is a major agent causing necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens, turkeys, and Japanese quails worldwide, occurring clinically and subclinically, causing loss of performance and financial loss [1,2]. Clostridial organisms, a Gram-positive bacteria, are widely distributed and can be found in the soil, built environment, litter, feed, and intestinal contents of healthy animals and humans. During predisposing factors such as coccidia occurrence, viral infection, and feed abnormalities, damaged intestinal epithelium is a way to colonize C. perfringens. Subclinical diseases related to C. perfringens pathology occur with decreased digestion, absorption and lower performance [3]. Predisposing factors result in proliferation of C. perfringens, and when concentrations of 107 to 109 are reached, bacterial toxins may induce mucosal damage [4,5].

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