Abstract
Simple SummaryModern broiler nutrition, due to widely accepted goals of sustainable production, is concerned with the improvement of nutrient utilization. To achieve this, in our study, we used feed additives that improve the value of feed components. Due to the significant amounts of non-starch polysaccharides (which are not digested under broiler intestinal tract conditions and negatively affect broilers performance) in popular feed components like wheat, enzymes are needed. Furthermore, the use of emulsifiers to improve fat digestion is necessary, as young birds do not secrete sufficient enzyme and bile salts. Previous studies have shown that an additional increase in carbohydrate digestibility can be obtained by using an emulsifier containing xylanase in the feed. Presumably, the increase in carbohydrate digestibility occurred after adding the emulsifier. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of xylanase, emulsifier, and a combination of both in wheat diets with high level of tallow on the gastrointestinal tract microbiota activity of 480 one-day-old male ROSS 308 broiler chickens. The simultaneous usage of both additives in wheat-based diets with beef tallow reduces the ileum microbiota activity and enhances cecum microbiota activity. Presumably, the addition of both additives results in a cumulative effect on the gut microbiota activity.In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of xylanase (XYL), emulsifier (EMU), and a combination of both (XYL + EMU) in wheat diet with a high level of tallow on gastrointestinal tract microbiota activity, excretion of sialic acids, and selected gut segments morphology of 480 one-day-old male ROSS 308 broiler chickens. The activities of bacterial enzymes in the ileal digesta were lower in experimental groups compared to the control (CON) group. Enzyme activity in the cecum was significantly higher than in the ileum. The additives did not affect the excretion of sialic acid. The number of duodenum goblet cells on the villi decreased in all of the experimental groups (p < 0.05). The simultaneous use of XYL + EMU deepened the ileum crypts (p < 0.05). The total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration in the cecal digesta was higher in experimental groups. The abundance of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Escherichia coli did not change among experimental groups. The relative abundance of Clostridium was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in groups with emulsifier addition. In conclusion, the simultaneous usage of EMU and XYL in wheat-based diets with beef tallow reduces the ileum microbiota activity and enhances cecum microbiota activity. Presumably, the addition of both additives results in a cumulative effect on the gut microbiota activity.
Highlights
Modern broiler breeding strains are characterized by rapid growth and a high feed conversion rate
We aimed to investigate the effect of emulsifiers, xylanase, and a combination of both in wheat diets with a high level of tallow on the gastrointestinal tract microbiota abundance and activity, excretion of total and free sialic acids, and selected gut segments morphology of broiler chickens
The use of XYL and a combination of XYL + EMU had a statistical effect on reducing the viscosity of the digesta
Summary
Modern broiler breeding strains are characterized by rapid growth and a high feed conversion rate. To use this high genetic potential, appropriate, precisely adapted nutrition needs to be used. NSPs are not digested by birds and increase the viscosity of the gut content, which limits the use of feed energy and nutrients [4]. This directly affects the deterioration of production results, adversely affects the symbiotic intestinal microbiome, intestinal physiology, and indirectly affects the immune system of birds [5,6]. The decrease in digesta viscosity affects the reduction of microbiome activity in the upper parts of the gastrointestinal tract [12,13], and the degradation of long NSP chains provides a substrate for bacteria existing in its lower sections [14,15]
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