Effects of Mesobiliverdin IXα-Enriched Microalgae Feed on Gut Health and Microbiota of Broilers.

Cheng-Wei T Chang,Jon Y Takemoto,Yuan-Yu Lin,Madher N Alfindee,Pei-En Chang

doi:10.3389/fvets.2020.586813

Cheng-Wei T Chang, Jon Y Takemoto + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.586813

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Abstract

Gut inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) links to animal medicinal feed and antibiotic-resistance are fueling major economic impacts in the agricultural livestock industry. New animal feeds that promote livestock gut health and control of IBDs without antibiotics are needed. This study investigates the effects of mesobiliverdin IXα (MBV)-enriched microalgae spirulina extracts on the growth performance, blood parameters, intestinal morphology, and gut microbiota of broilers. A total of 288 1-day-old broiler chicks (Arbor Acres) were randomly allotted to six dietary treatments (4 pens/treatment and 12 birds/pen). The dietary treatments comprised a basal diet as control (CON), basal diet plus 0.05 and 0.1% microalgae extract as low and high dose, respectively (SP1 and SP2), basal diet plus 0.05 and 0.1% MBV-enriched microalgae extract as low and high dose, respectively (MBV-SP1 and MBV-SP2), and basal diet plus 0.1% amoxicillin (AMX). All treated animals showed no significant differences in live weight, average daily gain, and feed efficiency compared to control animals. Histological examination showed that AMX treatment decreased the villi lengths of the duodenum and ileum below control villi length (P < 0.05) while MBV-SP1 and particularly MBV-SP2 increased villi lengths in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum above AMX -treatment lengths (P < 0.05). The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio increased in the cecum of broilers fed AMX (P < 0.05) while SP2, MBV-SP1, and MBV-SP2-fed animals showed (in order) increasing ratios up to the AMX level. The abundance of bacterial species of the genus Lactobacillus increased in MBV-SP1 and MBV-SP2-fed groups including a striking increase in Lactobacillus salivarius abundance with MBV-SP2 (P < 0.05). Feeding MBV-SP1 and MBV-SP2 decreased the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in plasma of broilers to a greater extent than SP1 and SP2. These results reveal that MBV-enriched microalgae extracts improve the intestinal health and beneficial microflora composition of broilers.

Highlights

Animal illnesses are globally widespread and challenging clinically, scientifically, and socio-economically [1]
Histological analysis of intestinal segments showed that AMX treatment decreased villi lengths of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum below those observed with control (Figure 1)
mesobiliverdin IXα (MBV)-SP1 and MBV-SP2 treatments resulted in increased villi lengths in the duodenum above those observed with control

Summary

Introduction

Animal illnesses are globally widespread and challenging clinically, scientifically, and socio-economically [1]. Well-known in human diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are prevalent and increasingly serious diseases for agricultural livestock. Johne’s disease in cattle and other ruminants [2], antibiotic-associated colitis in pigs and horses [3], and necrotic enteritis in chickens [4] are examples of livestock diseases having large impacts on global agro-economies and food security. Imbalances and disruption of the normal interactions between these systems result in inflammatory responses that characterize IBDs [1, 2, 4, 5]. A role for inflammation in IBDs points to anti-inflammatory therapies to combat these diseases [6]. A once promising anti-TNFα therapy is expensive and shows loss of response and undesirable side-effects [7]. Natural product anti-inflammatories such as curcumin are possibilities though poor bioavailability following ingestion is a limitation [8]

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