Cecal Microbiota In Broiler Chickens Research Articles

The Effect of Peanut Skins as A Natural Antimicrobial Feed Additive on Ileal and Cecal Microbiota in Broiler Chickens Inoculated with Salmonella enterica Enteritidis.

The Effect of Peanut Skins as A Natural Antimicrobial Feed Additive on Ileal and Cecal Microbiota in Broiler Chickens Inoculated with Salmonella enterica Enteritidis.

Probiotic cocktails accelerate baicalin metabolism in the ileum to modulate intestinal health in broiler chickens

BackgroundBaicalin and probiotic cocktails are promising feed additives with broad application prospects. While probiotic cocktails are known to enhance intestinal health, the potential synergistic impact of combining baicalin with probiotic cocktails on the gut health of broiler chickens remains largely unexplored. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the influence of the combined administration of baicalin and probiotic cocktails on the composition of ileal and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens to elucidate the underlying mechanisms responsible for the health-promoting effects.ResultsA total of 320 1-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were divided into 4 groups, each with 8 replicates of 10 chicks per replicate. Over a period of 42 d, the birds were fed a basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 37.5 g/t baicalin (BC), 1,000 g/t probiotic cocktails (PC), or a combination of both BC (37.5 g/t) and PC (1,000 g/t). The results demonstrated that BC + PC exhibited positive synergistic effects, enhancing intestinal morphology, immune function, and barrier function. This was evidenced by increased VH/CD ratio, sIgA levels, and upregulated expression of occludin and claudin-1 (P < 0.05). 16S rRNA analysis indicated that PC potentiated the effects of BC, particularly in the ileum, where BC + PC significantly increased the α-diversity of the ileal microbiota, altered its β-diversity, and increased the relative abundance of Flavonifractor (P < 0.05), a flavonoid-metabolizing bacterium. Furthermore, Flavonifractor positively correlated with chicken ileum crypt depth (P < 0.05). While BC + PC had a limited effect on cecal microbiota structure, the PC group had a very similar microbial composition to BC + PC, suggesting that the effect of PC at the distal end of the gut overshadowed those of BC.ConclusionsWe demonstrated the synergistic enhancement of gut health regulation in broiler chickens by combining baicalin and probiotic cocktails. Probiotic cocktails enhanced the effects of baicalin and accelerated its metabolism in the ileum, thereby influencing the ileal microbiota structure. This study elucidates the interaction mechanism between probiotic cocktails and plant extract additives within the host microbiota. These findings provide compelling evidence for the future development of feed additive combinations.

Effects of Dietary Lycopene on the Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, Meat Quality, Intestine Histomorphology, and Cecal Microbiota in Broiler Chickens.

The experiment aimed to investigate the effects of dietary lycopene on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, meat quality, intestine histomorphology, and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens. We randomly divided five hundred and seventy-six one-day-old male broilers into four groups each with six replicates and 24 chickens in each replicate. The control group (CG) was fed the basal diet, and the other groups were given powder lycopene of 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg lycopene (LP10, LP20, and LP30, respectively). Compared with the control group, (1) the dietary lycopene increased (p = 0.001) the average daily gain and decreased (p = 0.033) the feed conversion ratio in the experimental groups; (2) the glutathione peroxidase enzyme contents in LP20 were higher (p =< 0.001) in myocardium; (3) the crude protein contents were higher (p = 0.007) in the group treated with 30 mg/kg dietary lycopene; (4) the jejunum villous height was higher (p = 0.040) in LP20; (5) the Unclassified-f-Ruminococcaceae relative abundance was significantly higher (p = 0.043) in LP20. In this study, adding 20 mg/kg dietary lycopene to the broiler chickens' diets improved the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, meat quality, intestine histomorphology, and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens.

Effect of Puncture Vine on Growth Performance, Carcass and Meat Traits, Metabolic and Immunological Blood Indicators, and Selected Cecal Microbiota in Broiler Chickens

This study investigated the effects of puncture vine (Tribulus Terrestris) addition on the performance, carcass and meat characteristics, selected metabolic and immunological blood indicators, some microbiota, and short-chain fatty acids. A total of 252 1-day-old broilers were distributed to three treatments with 12 cages as replicates per treatment (T1 = 0.0%, T2 = 0.08%, and T3 = 0.16% puncture vine). Performance parameters and metabolic and immunological serum indicators were measured in each feeding phase, while carcass characteristics, meat quality, cecal microflora, and short-chain fatty acids were measured at 35 days. Results showed that live weight, weight gain, production efficiency, and meat component color were lower in initial and ultimate at T3, while the percentages of the legs and gizzard were higher at T2 than T1. The relative weight of cooking loss was higher in T2 and T3, but the myofibril fragmentation index was lower than T1. Total protein and globulin were higher in T2 and T3 (14 days old), and the glucose level was lower in T2 (35 days old) than at T1. Interleukins (IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were higher in T2 than T1 and T3 (35 days old). Puncture vine has antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., while Lactobacillus spp. was higher in T2. The total short-chain fatty acid content was higher in chickens fed puncture vine. These results indicate that the use of puncture vine powder as a natural alternative at a dosage of 0.08% has a safe effect on the performance, carcass and meat characteristics, and health of broilers.

Comparative effects of medium-chain fatty acids or phytobiotics-based feed additives on performance, caecum microbiota, volatile fatty acid production and intestinal morphology of broilers.

Antibiotic growth promoters have been utilized in broiler nutrition to alleviate the negative effects of the pathogenic microbes to promote performance. However, after the prohibition of antibiotics because of the increasing disclosure related to public health issues, various products have been developed as alternatives. This study was carried out to determine the effects of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) or phytobiotics (essential oils [EOs] and alkaloids [ALKs]), blended feed additives on the growth performance, jejunum histomorphology, and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of 765 male Ross 308 chicks were randomly distributed into 5 experimental groups, each having 9 replicates with 17 chicks. The experimental procedures were as follows: a control group without supplementation (T1); control group+ MCFAs and EOs blend (T2); control group+ different EOs blend (T3); control group+ ALK sanguinarine (T4); and control group+ EOs and ALK piperine mixture (T5). The results showed that, broilers fed with MCFAs blended with EOs had significantly greater body weight gain during overall period in comparision to the control and T3 groups. Further, only MCFAs blended with EOs group significantly improved jejnum morphology in comparison with the control group (p≤0.05). Besides, the MCFAs blended with EOs group significantly elevated propionate, acetate and butyrate concentration, and decreased the concentration of branch chain fatty acids in caecum (p≤0.05). The results indicated that, the combination of MCFAs and EOs seems to have improvement effects and could be preferred as an efficient feed additive in broiler production.

Cecal Microbial Succession and Its Apparent Association with Nutrient Metabolism in Broiler Chickens.

The chicken gut microbiota plays an influential role in nutrient absorption and metabolism. A clear picture of microbiota succession can enhance host nutrition and disease resistance. This study investigated the cecal microbiota succession of broilers between 3 and 42 days after hatching using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analyzed its potential association with intestinal nutrient metabolism. Microbiota structure differed significantly at different time points depending on the microbiota alpha-diversity or beta-diversity. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes promoted succession on days 3 to 7 and days 28 to 35, respectively. Firmicutes and Tenericutes maintained homeostasis on days 7 to 28 and days 35 to 42. Shigella, [Ruminococcus], Erysipelotrichaceae_Clostridium, and Coprobacillus promoted succession on days 3 to 7; Faecalibacterium modified microbial composition on days 7 to 14; Faecalibacterium and Bacteroides regulated microbial structure from days 21 to 28. The microbiota structure was relatively stable on days 14 to 21 and days 28 to 35. Spearman's correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between Lactobacillus and villus height and crypt depth (P < 0.01). Faecalibacterium and Shigella were correlated with propionate, butyrate, and valerate concentrations (P < 0.01). Ruminococcus was correlated with sodium-glucose cotransporters 1 and cationic amino acid transporter 1 expression (P < 0.05). Erysipelotrichaceae_Clostridium and Shigella were positively correlated with serum levels of total cholesterol, tryglucerides, and high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.01). Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Lactobacillus, and Shigella were correlated with serum VB6 levels (P < 0.01). Bacteroides, Erysipelotrichaceae_Clostridium, and Coprobacillus were correlated with the moisture content of cecal contents (P < 0.05). The identification of the microbiota in correlation with nutrient metabolism will promote microbial nutrition through microbiota intervention or nutritional regulation. IMPORTANCE The poultry industry has become a global leader in livestock farming over the past few decades. Poultry production has a large consumer market as an integrated industry producing high-protein foods. Establishing the association between microbiota and nutrient metabolism processes provides fresh insights for precise nutrient regulation. This study aimed to describe the development of cecal microbiota in broiler chickens throughout the production cycle and to assess the correlation of nutrient metabolism phenotypes with temporal changes in the microbiota. The results suggested that changes in cecal microbes with age partly explain changes in gut nutrient metabolic processes, and numerous microbes were significantly associated with the processes. Therefore, this study attempts to further find efficient ways of improving poultry production. One is to promote nutrient metabolism by identifying potential candidates for probiotics, and another is to foster the dominant colonization of the microbiota by regulating nutrient metabolism.

Investigating the Effect of Pulicaria jaubertii as a Natural Feed Additive on the Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, Immunological Response, and Cecal Microbiota of Broiler Chickens

Based on the biologically active compounds of Pulicaria jaubertii studied so far, there are no studies on the use of this plant in broilers. Therefore, the present study aims is to investigate the effect of Pulicaria jaubertii on the performance, blood biochemistry, internal organs, gene expression related to immune response, and the cecal microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of two hundred and forty male broilers were used and divided into four diet groups (T1 = 0, T2 = 3, T3 = 6, and T4 = 9 g Pulicaria jaubertii powder/kg basal diet). The performance evaluation, serum biochemical parameters, internal organ indicators, cytokines' gene expression, and microbiota colonization were determined. The study results showed that this plant was rich in nutrients, some fatty acids, and bioactive phenolic compounds. All growth performance indicators and relative liver weight were improved by Pulicaria jaubertii levels (T2 to T4) with no effect on feed intake. T3 and T4 showed higher total protein and lower triglycerides and total cholesterol. Birds fed Pulicaria jaubertii showed immune regulation through the modulation of pre-inflammatory cytokines and increased mucin-2 and secretory Immunoglobulin A compared with the control group. Diet groups (T2 to T4) had higher quantities of Lactobacillus spp. and lower levels of Salmonella spp. than the control group. We conclude that Pulicaria jaubertii could be used as a feed supplement for broilers due to its beneficial effects on overall performance, immune response, and microbiota. Further studies are recommended to investigate the potential mechanism of Pulicaria jaubertii in broilers.

Red osier dogwood extract vs. trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Part 2). Pharmacodynamic effects on ileal and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens challenged orally with Salmonella Enteritidis

With the subsisting restrictions on the use of antibiotics in poultry production, the use of plant extracts has shown some promising antimicrobial capacity similar to antibiotics; however, such capacity is largely dependent on their total polyphenol concentration and profile. Given the emerging antimicrobial potential of red osier dogwood (ROD) extract, the study aimed to investigate the pharmacodynamic effect of ROD extract on the ileal and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens challenged orally with Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). A 21 d 4×2 factorial experiment was conducted based on 2 main factors, including diets and SE challenge. A total of 384 one-day-old mixed-sex Cobb-500 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments; Negative control (NC), NC+0.075 mg trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (TMP/SDZ)/kg of diet, and NC containing either 0.3 or 0.5% ROD extract. On d 1, half of the birds were orally challenged with 0.5 mL of phosphate-buffered saline (Noninfected group) and the remaining half with 0.5 mL of 3.1×105 CFU/mL SE (Infected group). Dietary treatments were randomly assigned to 8 replicate cages at 6 birds/cage. On d 21, 10 birds/treatment were euthanized and eviscerated to collect ileal and cecal digesta for gut microbiota analysis. The ileal and cecal microbiota was dominated by phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteriota. The SE infection decreased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota in the ileum and ceca, respectively, however, it increased (P < 0.05) Proteobacteria in the ceca. Both 0.3 and 0.5% ROD extracts (P < 0.05) depressed the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota in the ileum but marginally improved (P < 0.05) it in the ceca compared to the TMP/SDZ treatment. Dietary TMP/SDZ increased (P < 0.05) genus Bifidobacterium at the ileal and cecal segments compared to other treatments. Dietary 0.3 and 0.5% marginally improved (P < 0.05) Bifidobacterium in the ceca and depressed (P < 0.05) Weissella and was comparably similar to TMP/SDZ in the ileum. Regardless of the dietary treatments and SE infection, alpha diversity differed (P < 0.05) between ileal and cecal microbiota. Beta diversity was distinct (P < 0.05) in both ileal and cecal digesta along the SE infection model. Conclusively, both ROD extract levels yielded a pharmacodynamic effect similar to antibiotics on ileal and cecal microbiota.

Protective effects of Fagopyrum dibotrys on oxidized oil-induced oxidative stress, intestinal barrier impairment, and altered cecal microbiota in broiler chickens

The objective of this study was to evaluate protective effects of Fagopyrum dibotrys on antioxidant ability, intestinal barrier functions, and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens fed oxidized soybean oil. A total of 640 male Tiejiaoma broilers were randomly assigned to 8 treatments with 8 cages (10 birds per cage), as follows: birds fed basal diets containing fresh soybean oil and 0, 0.5, 1, or 2% F. dibotrys (FSCON, FSFAL, FSFAM, and FSFAH, respectively), and birds fed basal diets containing oxidized oil and 0, 0.5, 1, or 2% F. dibotrys (OSCON, OSFAL, OSFAM, and OSFAH). Oxidized oil significantly decreased transcription of Nrf2 and its downstream genes, including CAT and SOD1 in the jejunal mucosa, increased jejunal mucosa IL-6 mRNA expression, and decreased jejunal mucosa IL-22 mRNA expression and downregulated Claudin-1 and ZO-1; however, all these effects were reversed by F. dibotrys. Either 1 or 2% F. dibotrys alleviated the decreased liver SOD induced by oxidized oil on d 42. The decreased SOD and GPX, and increased MDA induced by oxidized oil were reversed by adding 1 or 2% F. dibotrys in jejunal mucosa. In addition, based on 16S rDNA, 2% F. dibotrys promoted the Firmicutes phylum and Candidatus_Arthromitus genera, but suppressed the Proteobacteria phylum and Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and Escherichia genera. In summary, oxidative stress induced by oxidized oil was ameliorated by F. dibotrys upregulating transcription of Nrf2 and its downstream genes to restore redox balance, reinforcing the intestinal barrier via higher expression of Claudin-1/ZO-1, ameliorating the inflammatory response by regulating expression of IL-6 and IL-22, and facilitating growth of Candidatus_arthromitus in the cecum. Therefore, F. dibotrys has potential as a feed additive for poultry by ameliorating oxidative stress caused by oxidized oil, enhancing barrier function, and improving gut microbiome composition.

Fine characterization and microbiota assessment as keys to understanding the positive effect of standardized natural citrus extract on broiler chickens.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect and composition of a standardized natural citrus extract (SNCE) on both broiler chickens' growth performances and intestinal microbiota. A total of 930 one-day-old males were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: a control treatment (CTL) in which broiler chickens were fed with a standard diet and two citrus treatments in which broiler chickens were fed with the same standard diet supplemented with 250 ppm and 2,500 ppm of SNCE, respectively. Each dietary treatment was composed of 10 experimental units (pen) of 31 broiler chickens each. Growth performances such as feed consumption, body weight, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded weekly until day 42. Litter quality was also weekly recorded while mortality was daily recorded. One broiler chicken was randomly selected from each pen (10 chickens/group) and ceca samples were collected for microbiota analysis at day 7 and 42. Chromatographic methods were used to determine molecules that enter into the composition of the SNCE. Results from the characterization of SNCE allowed to identify pectic oligosaccharides (POS) as a major component of the SNCE. In addition, 35 secondary metabolites, including eriocitrin, hesperidin, and naringin, were identified. The experiment performed on broiler chickens showed that the final body weight of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with SNCE was higher than those fed the CTL diets (P < 0.01). Broiler cecal microbiota was impacted by age (P < 0.01) but not by the dietary supplementation of SNCE. Results indicate that SNCE allowed enhancing chickens' performances without any modulation of the cecal microbiota of broiler chickens. The characterization of SNCE allowed to identify compounds such as eriocitrin, naringin, hesperidin, and POS. Thus, opening new horizons for a better understanding of the observed effect on broiler chickens' growth performances.

Conserved developmental trajectories of the cecal microbiota of broiler chickens in a field study.

There is great interest in identifying gut microbiota development patterns and underlying assembly rules that can inform strategies to improve broiler health and performance. Microbiota stratification using community types helps to simplify complex and dynamic ecosystem principles of the intestinal microbiota. This study aimed to identify community types to increase insight in intestinal microbiota variation between broilers and to identify factors that explain this variation. A total of 10 well-performing poultry flocks on four farms were followed. From each flock, the cecal content of nine broilers was collected at 7, 14, and 35 days posthatch. A total of two robust community types were observed using different clustering methods, one of which was dominated by 7-day-old broilers, and one by 35-day-old broilers. Broilers, 14-day-old, were divided across both community types. This is the first study that showed conserved cecal microbiota development trajectories in commercial broiler flocks. In addition to the temporal development with age, the cecal microbiota variation between broilers was explained by the flock, body weight, and the different feed components. Our data support a conserved development of cecal microbiota, despite strong influence of environmental factors. Further investigation of mechanisms underlying microbiota development and function is required to facilitate intestinal health promoting management, diagnostics, and nutritional interventions.

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Marine Algae (Spirulina platensis) and Toxin Binder Powders in the Diets of Broiler Chickens Exposed to Aflatoxin-B1: Growth Performance, Humoral Immune Response and Cecal Microbiota

This research was performed to investigate the effects of milk thistle (MT), toxin binder (TB) and marine algae (Spirulina platensis; SP) on the performance, blood indices, humoral immunity and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens exposed to aflatoxin-B1 (AFB1). A total of 300 one-day-old male chicks were equally divided into five treatments, with six replicates with 10 birds per treatment. Dietary treatments included: (T1) a control diet (without any feed additive or AFB1); (T2) control diet + 0.6 mg AFB1/kg; (T3) T2 + 10 g/kg MT; (T4) T2 + 1 g/kg TB; and (T5) T2 + 10 g/kg SP. BWG and FI were found to be considerably reduced in broilers given AFB1-contaminated diets (p &lt; 0.05). The FCR was negatively influenced in birds fed AFB1-contaminated diets (p &lt; 0.05). MT, TB, and SP powders also reduced the deleterious effects of AFB1 on the growth of chickens (p &lt; 0.05). In comparison with the control birds and the other treatments, broilers given AFB1-contaminated diets had a higher relative weight of abdominal fat (p &lt; 0.05). The feeding of AFB1 resulted in a substantial rise in AST and ALT activity (p &lt; 0.05). MT, TB, and SP powders significantly decreased blood AST and ALT activity in broilers (p &lt; 0.05). The AFB1 and MT groups had the lowest skin thickness (p &lt; 0.05) twenty-four hours after injection. The phytohemagglutinin injection results showed that the TB and SP were more efficient than the other additives in removing toxins from the feed sources (p &lt; 0.05). The antibody titer against sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) was lower in the AFB1 group compared to the control group at 28 days of age (p &lt; 0.05). When comparing AFB1-fed chicks to the control treatment, there was a significant (p &lt; 0.05) concentration of cecal Coliform bacteria. When MT, TB, and SP powders were added to AFB1-contaminated diet, cecal Coliforms were decreased (p &lt; 0.05). When fed AFB1-contaminated diets, it can be concluded that MT, TB, and SP are suitable for supporting growth performance, immunological function, and the serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens.

Effects of Galla chinensis Extract on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Serum Antioxidation, Immune Function, and Gut Microbiota of Broilers

The purpose of this experiment was to explore the effects of Galla chinensis extract (GCE) supplementation in broiler diets on growth performance, carcass traits, serum antioxidation, immune function, and gut microbiota. In this study, broiler chicken diets were supplemented with a product of GCE at 0 mg/kg (control), 250 mg/kg (GCE250), 500 mg/kg (GCE500), 1,000 mg/kg (GCE1000), or 2,000 mg/kg (GCE2000). In total, 360 birds were randomly distributed into five treatments with six replicate pens and fed from 1 to 60 days. The birds in the GCE250 group had higher final body weights (p &amp;lt; 0.05) compared with the control group. Low-dose supplementation (250 mg/kg) of GCE significantly improved the broiler chicken's antioxidative and anti-inflammatory abilities by decreasing serum levels of malondialdehyde, interleukin 6, and interferon-γ at day 60 (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Additionally, principal coordinate analysis clustering showed that GCE supplementation shifted the cecal microbiota of broiler chickens compared with control at day 60, increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacterial genera such as Faecalibacterium, Parabacteroides, and Alistipes, and decreasing the potentially pathogenic bacteria Streptococcus. Taken together, the results of this study showed that dietary supplementation of low concentrations of GCE (250 mg/kg) produced a positive influence on growth performance, gut microbiota, serum antioxidation, and anti-inflammatory markers in broiler chickens.

Effects of Nano Zinc on Growth Performance, Health Status, and Cecal Microbiota in Broiler Chickens Challenged with Salmonella Kentucky

Public concern with the incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly among foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella, has been challenging the poultry industry to find alternative means of control. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary replacement of inorganic zinc oxide (ZnO) by different levels of zinc nanoparticles on growth performance, blood serum biochemical changes, immune response, cecal microbiota, and some internal organs histopathology of Salmonella Kentucky (SK) challenged broiler chickens. A total of 180 one-day-old broiler chicks were used in the present experiment. The chicks were randomly allotted into six equal groups (30 chicks/group), with 3 subgroups containing 10 chicks as a replicate. The first group fed on the basal diet supplemented by 100 mg ZnO/kg diet, while the second and the third groups fed on the basal diet with replacement of ZnO by 100 and 50 mg of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs)/kg diet, respectively. Moreover, the fourth, fifth, and sixth groups fed as the first three groups with SK challenge on the third day of age. Results showed that supplementation of 100 mg ZnONPs/kg diet instead of ZnO reduced the severity of the clinical signs, post-mortem lesions, mortality, and SK fecal shedding of SK challenged chicks. Replacement of ZnO by 100% or 50% of ZnONPs increased cecal total bacterial counts and lactobacillus bacterial count while reducing total coliform counts. On the other hand, the SK challenge increased cecal total bacterial counts and lactobacillus bacterial counts, compared to the broiler chicks group fed on the diet without SK challenge. The SK challenge with inorganic zinc addition reduced body gain and feed conversion ratio, while 100 or 50 mg ZnONPs/kg diet supplementation instead of ZnO improved growth performance, feed efficiency parameters. It was observed that the replacement of inorganic zinc (serum ZnO) by 100 mg /kg diet significantly increased lysosomal and phagocytic activity by about 261.5% and 17.9%, respectively. Moreover, 100% or 50% of ZnONPs instead of inorganic zinc significantly ZnONPs increased liver, spleen, and thymus gland relative weights of SK-challenged broiler chickens, compared to broiler chickens group fed on the same diet without challenge or compared to chicks group fed on ZnO supplemented diet with SK challenge, while replacement of inorganic zinc (ZnO) by 100 or 50mg ZnONPs/kg diet reduced the adverse effect.

Dietary inulin supplementation modulates the composition and activities of carbohydrate-metabolizing organisms in the cecal microbiota of broiler chickens.

Inulin is a highly effective prebiotic and an attractive alternative to antibiotic growth promoters for increasing production and maintaining health in chickens. However, how inulin elicits its effects on members of the intestinal microbiota is unknown, even though their importance for energy metabolism and the health of chickens is well documented. A combination of 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing and transcriptomic analysis was used to investigate the effects of supplementing a corn-based basal diet with 1, 2, or 4% inulin or 400 ppm bacitracin on the composition, diversity and activities of carbohydrate-metabolizing organisms (CMOs) in the cecal microbiota of broiler chickens. We found that members of Bacteroides were the most abundant non-starch degrading CMOs, contributing 43.6–52.1% of total glycoside hydrolase genes and 34.6–47.1% activity to the meta-transcriptomes of chickens in the different dietary groups, although members of Parabacteroides, Prevotella, Alistipes, Clostridium, Barnesiella, Blastocystis, Faecalibacterium and others were also actively involved. Inulin and bacitracin inclusion in the basal diet did not change significantly the composition or diversity of these CMOs. Inulin supplementation at three levels promoted the activities of Bacteroides, Prevotella and Bifidobacterium, and 2% level appears to be the most optimal dosage for bifidobacterial activity.

Bisdemethoxycurcumin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal damage through improving barrier integrity, suppressing inflammation, and modulating gut microbiota in broilers.

Bisdemethoxycurcumin has good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and has been widely used as food and feed supplements in the form of curcuminoids. However, the beneficial effect of individual bisdemethoxycurcumin on preventing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflamed intestinal damage is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate whether dietary bisdemethoxycurcumin supplementation could attenuate LPS-induced intestinal damage and alteration of cecal microbiota in broiler chickens. In total, 320 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broiler chickens with a similar weight were randomly divided into four treatments. The treatments were designed as a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: basal diet (CON); 150 mg/kg bisdemethoxycurcumin diet (BUR); LPS challenge + basal diet (LPS); LPS challenge + 150 mg/kg bisdemethoxycurcumin diet (L-BUR). Results showed that dietary bisdemethoxycurcumin supplementation attenuated the LPS-induced decrease of average daily feed intake. LPS challenge compromised the intestinal morphology and disrupted the intestinal tight junction barrier. Dietary bisdemethoxycurcumin supplementation significantly increased villus length:crypt depth ratio and upregulated the mRNA expression of intestinal tight junction proteins. Moreover, a remarkably reduced mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators was observed following bisdemethoxycurcumin supplementation. The cecal microbiota analysis showed that bisdemethoxycurcumin supplementation increased the relative abundance of the genus Faecalibacterium while decreased the relative abundance of the genera Bacteroides and Subdoligranulum. In conclusion, dietary bisdemethoxycurcumin supplementation could counteract LPS-induced inflamed intestinal damage in broiler chickens by improving intestinal morphology, maintaining intestinal tight junction, downregulating pro-inflammatory mediators, and restoring cecal microbiota.

Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtilis Promote Early Maturation of Cecal Microbiota in Broiler Chickens.

Mature and stable intestinal microbiota in chickens is essential for health and production. Slow development of microbiota in young chickens prolongs the precarious period before reaching mature configuration. Whether probiotics can play a role in the early maturation of intestinal microbiota is unknown. To address this, day-old chicks were assigned into six groups: NC (basal diet), PC (virginiamycin), low (BPL) and high-dose (BPH) of Bacillus pumilus, and low (BSL) and high-dose (BSH) of Bacillus subtilis. Cecal contents at days 7, 14, 28 and 42 were used to analyze the treatment and time effects on the diversity and composition of microbiota. Overall, the alpha diversity was significantly decreased in the NC group between days 7 and 14, while this decline was prevented in the Bacillus subtilis probiotic (BSL and BSH) and even reversed in the BPH group. The beta-diversity showed significant responses of microbial communities to probiotics in first two weeks of life. Analyses of the abundance of microbiota reflected that members of the family Ruminococcaceae (Ruminnococcus, Oscillospira, Faecalibacterium, Butyricicoccus, and Subdoligranulum), which were dominant in mature microbiota, were significantly higher in abundance at day 14 in the probiotic groups. Conversely, the abundance of genera within the family Lachnospiraceae (Ruminococcus, Blautia, and Coprococcus) was dominant in early dynamic microbiota but was significantly lower in the probiotic groups at day 14. The Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium abundance was higher, while the Enterobacteriaceae abundance was lower in the probiotic groups. In summary, the probiotics efficiently helped the cecal microbiota reach mature configuration earlier in life. These results could be used for the future manipulation of microbiota from the perspective of improving poultry performance.

Serum metabolome and gut microbiome alterations in broiler chickens supplemented with lauric acid

Antibiotic overuse in poultry husbandry poses a potential threat to meat safety and human health. Lauric acid (LA) is a primary medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) with a strong antibacterial capacity. The goal of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of LA on the growth performance, immune responses, serum metabolism, and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens. One-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly divided into 4 groups: CON, fed a basal diet; ANT, a basal diet supplemented with 75 mg/kg antibiotic; LA500, a basal diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg LA; LA1000, a basal diet supplemented with 1000 mg/kg LA. The feeding period was 42 d. The results showed that LA significantly improved broiler growth and immune functions, as evidenced by increased body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG), enhanced intestinal mucosal barrier, upregulated immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, and IgY), and downregulated inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-10) (P < 0.05). HPLC/MS-based metabolome analysis revealed that the serum metabolites in the LA group differed from those of CON and ANT groups. LA markedly decreased the abundance of phosphatidylcholines (PCs), increased lysophosphatidylcholines (LysoPCs), and inhibited the sphingolipid metabolism pathway, indicating its capacity to modulate lipid metabolism. 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that LA significantly altered cecal microbiota composition by reducing Phascolarctobacterium, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, and Bacteroides, and increasing Faecalibacterium and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Spearman correlation analysis revealed that changes in metabolism and microbiota were highly correlated with the growth and immune indices; strong links were also found between lipid metabolism and microbial composition. Taken together, LA promotes broiler growth and immune functions by regulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. The above findings highlight the substantial potential of LA as a supplement in poultry diets and provide a new strategy to reduce antibiotic usage and improve food safety.

Hydroxychloride trace minerals have a positive effect on growth performance, carcass quality and impact ileal and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens

BackgroundThe objective was to study the effect of hydroxychloride trace minerals (HTM) on growth performance, carcass quality and gut microbiota of broiler chickens in comparison to sulphate trace minerals (STM). In total 1440 male Ross 308 day-old chicks were divided into 12 replicate pens with 30 birds each per treatment. Four different treatments were tested according to a 2 × 2 factorial study design, where the animals received a three phase diet containing either inorganic Zn from sulphates or Zn from HTM in high (80 mg/kg Zn) or low Zn dosage (20 mg/kg Zn). In all treatments 15 mg/kg Cu was added from the same mineral source as the Zn. Body weight and feed intake were measured on day 0, 10, 27 and 34, while carcass and breast meat yields were measured at the end of the study (day 34). In addition, high-throughput sequencing analysis was performed in digesta samples from ileum and cecum to study the gut microbiome (day 34).ResultsThe results showed an improved (P < 0.05) body weight of broiler chickens fed HTM, regardless of Zn level, on day 27, while on day 34 this effect remained as a tendency (P = 0.0542). In the overall study period, birds fed HTM had a higher (P < 0.05) average daily gain and average daily feed intake when compared to birds fed STM. The mineral source did not affect the carcass characteristics, however, feeding 80 mg/kg Zn resulted in a significantly higher (P = 0.0171) breast meat yield, regardless of source. High-throughput sequencing analysis of the microbiota revealed a higher microbial diversity in the ileum and cecum of HTM fed birds compared to STM fed birds. Taxonomical differences were mainly found in the cecum, specifically between the group fed high and low Zn levels from HTM. This correlated with the mineral contents observed in the cecal digesta. Comparing both groups fed 80 mg/kg Zn, the HTM group had more Streptococcaceae, Streptococcus, Clostridia, Weissella and Leuconostocaceae compared to the STM group.ConclusionsHTM improved growth performance of broiler chickens; and the source and level of Zn modulated the gut microbiota communities in broilers differentially.

Supplementation ofBacillus subtilisGM5 enhances broiler body weight gain and modulates cecal microbiota.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-020-02634-2.