Gastrointestinal Tract Of Broiler Chickens Research Articles

PSVIII-21 Meta-analysis of nutritive factors influencing mean retention time of digesta in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens

Abstract Broiler chicken meat is an important source of food protein for human consumption globally. Over the last several decades, dramatic changes have been made to broiler genetics, management, and nutrition to increase production efficiency. Different feeds with varying nutrient composition have been researched to target goals such as improving growth and feed conversion ratio. Part of understanding and further improving these feeding programs involves understanding the effects of the feed on nutrient digestibility and animal performance. As such, models are a key tool in the wholistic evaluation of diet, genetics, and management interactions. Towards developing a mechanistic digestion model for broilers, knowledge of mean retention time (MRT, min) of digesta in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) across a variety of diets is required. To understand the relationship between MRT in broilers and their diet, a systematic literature search and meta-analysis was conducted where 34 articles were found to meet the inclusion criteria. MRT in these studies was measured in various parts of the GIT where 7 studies reported MRT in just one segment (e.g. jejunum), 12 studies reported MRT in multiple combined segments (e.g. jejunum + ileum) and 21 studies reported MRT of the entire GIT. Birds used in these studies included those in the starter, grower, and finisher phases as well as breeders. Nutritional composition of the diets was represented by data on metabolizable energy (ME, kcal/kg), crude fiber (% DM), crude fat (% DM), crude protein (% DM) and calcium (% DM) that was consistently reported across studies. A mixed model (PROC MIXED, in SAS), treating study as a random effect, and using a subset of the data collected where MRT was reported for the entire GIT, and limited to grower and finisher phases, was used to examine the relationship between the diet composition and MRT. Only ME (F1,28.1 = 4.25; P = 0.0486) was found to be significantly related to MRT, where an increase in one kcal/kg of ME resulted in a decrease of MRT by 0.091 minutes (within the range of 2,749 to 3,507 kcal/kg ME). Other nutritional components of the diet were found to have no significant relation to MRT (all P > 0.05), though next steps will examine how the source of ME (fat vs starch vs fiber) impacts this relationship. Although other factors (such as age and feed intake) are still to be considered, the initial results from this study provide valuable insights into how nutritional composition of poultry feeds relates to MRT. Further investigation will also quantify this relationship within segment of the GIT. This work not only provides valuable information to nutritionists, but also lays the groundwork for empirical model development to predict MRT of poultry feed, essential to poultry nutritional models.

Co-exposure to polyethylene fiber and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium alters microbiome and metabolome of in vitro chicken cecal mesocosms.

Researching the exposome, a summation of exposure to one's lifespan, will aid in determining the environmental factors that contribute to disease states. There is an emerging concern that microplastic-pathogen interactions in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens may lead to an increase in Salmonella infection across flocks and eventually increased incidence of human salmonellosis cases. In this research article, we elucidated the effects of acute co-exposure to polyethylene microplastics and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium on the ceca microbial community in vitro. Salmonella presence caused strong shifts in the cecal metabolome but not the microbiome. The inverse was true for polyethylene fiber. Polyethylene powder had almost no effect. The co-exposure had worse effects than either alone. This demonstrates that exposure effects to the gut microbial community are contaminant-specific. When combined, the interactions between exposures exacerbate changes to the gut environment, necessitating future experiments studying low-dose chronic exposure effects with in vivo model systems.

Holo-analysis of the effects of xylo-oligosaccharides on broiler chicken performance

ABSTRACT 1. Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) stimulate proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens. This results in enhanced utilisation of dietary non-starch polysaccharides and increased production of valuable short-chain fatty acids. However, these positive effects do not always translate into improved bird productive performance, with inconsistent performance responses observed between bird trials. 2. A holo-analysis was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing XOS into broiler diets on bird feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion and mortality. This was done by comparing the XOS supplemented treatment to the control treatment. A total of 53 studies which met the criteria for inclusion were used in the analysis. 3. The results showed that XOS had a notable positive impact on bird mortality; XOS reduced mortality by 0.69% for every 1% increment in the control group. XOS supplementation induced a positive effect on the feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, the efficacy of XOS at improving FCR was dependent on the efficiency of the control group (performance of the flock), and the concentration of total arabinoxylan, protein and phytase in the diet. There were insufficient data points to predict the effect of XOS on body weight and feed intake. 4. In conclusion, the holo-analysis revealed that supplementing XOS to broiler chicken diets reduces bird mortality. XOS can also improve FCR, but the scale of response is dependent on the diet composition and control flock performance. Additional studies are required to confirm the effects of XOS on body weight and feed intake.

Inclusion of trans-cinnamaldehyde and caprylic acid in feed results in detectable concentrations in the chicken gut and reduces foodborne pathogen carriage

Poultry act as a major reservoir host for Salmonella and Campylobacter spp., the 2 leading causes of foodborne illnesses globally and in the United States. Preharvest stage interventions to reduce foodborne pathogen carriage in poultry are increasingly informed by consumer preference for antibiotic-free poultry production. The in-feed inclusion of plant-derived antimicrobial compounds is a promising antibiotic alternative strategy to reduce foodborne pathogen load in the broiler chicken gut. Yet, the fate of these phytochemicals through the broiler chicken gastrointestinal tract is unknown. Likewise, while in-feed phytochemicals have been widely demonstrated in challenge models to reduce foodborne pathogen carriage, little is known regarding efficacy to curb natural routes of infection. As such, the aim of the present study was 2-fold. We sought to determine the concentrations of 2 phytochemicals, trans-cinnamaldehyde and caprylic acid, in each region of the chicken gastrointestinal tract following their in-feed inclusion over a 6-wk production period. In addition, we investigated how the in-feed provision of these phytochemicals may protect against environmental acquisition of Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella spp. Trans-cinnamaldehyde and caprylic acid were detected in crop, gizzard, duodenal, jejunal, and ileal contents. Crop and gizzard concentrations were not significantly (P > 0.05) different. A significant (P < 0.05) decrease in phytochemical concentration was observed in intestinal regions compared to crop and gizzard. Trans-cinnamaldehyde was consistently identified in cecal and colon contents, while caprylic acid was not detectable in these regions. Trans-cinnamaldehyde and caprylic acid were found to reduce (P < 0.05) Salmonella load. Together, our data establish that the in-feed addition of trans-cinnamaldehyde and caprylic acid, 2 phytochemicals that have previously been shown to exert antimicrobial activity against poultry-associated foodborne pathogens, results in detectable concentrations in the broiler chicken gastrointestinal tract. By providing researchers with a gastrointestinal region-by-region map of phytochemical concentrations, the present study is expected to inform the choice of in-feed phytochemicals targeting foodborne pathogen carriage in the broiler chicken gastrointestinal tract.

298 Comparison of Amino Acid Digestibility in Pulses Between Broiler Chickens and Pigs

Abstract The difference in capacity and structure of the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens and pigs could influence the digestibility of amino acids (AA) in feed ingredients. Therefore, two experiments were carried out to compare the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA in faba beans (FB) and three field peas (FP) cultivars between broiler chickens (Exp.1) and pigs (Exp.2). Four diets were prepared to contain FB, FP DS-Admiral (FPD), FP Hampton (FPH), or FP 4010 (FP4) as the sole source of nitrogen. A nitrogen-free diet (NFD) was also prepared to estimate the basal endogenous losses of AA. On day 21 post-hatch, 416 male broiler chickens with an initial body weight (BW) of 951 ± 111 g were allotted to 5 diets in a randomized complete block design with BW as a blocking factor in Exp.1. There were 8 replicate cages with 10 birds per cage for diets containing the test ingredients and 12 birds per cage for the NFD. All birds were fed the diets for 5 days. On day 26 post-hatch, birds were euthanized by CO2 asphyxiation and digesta contents from the distal two-thirds of the ileum were collected. Barrows (n = 20) with an initial BW of 30.2 ± 1.58 kg, surgically fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum, were used in Exp.2. The pigs were divided into 4 blocks based on BW and assigned to a 5 × 2 incomplete Latin Square design consisting of 5 dietary treatments and 2 experimental periods. The daily feeding allowance was calculated at 4% of the mean BW of the pigs in each block. The adaptation period was 5 days, followed by a 2-day collection of ileal digesta samples. Data from Exp.1 and 2 were pooled and analyzed as a 2 × 4 factorial treatment arrangement with the effect of species and test ingredients. There were no interactions (P &amp;gt; 0.05) between diet and species. For broiler chickens, the SID of Lys in FB, FPD, FPH, and FP4 were 91.3, 91.0, 92.5, and 85.1%, respectively, whereas for pigs the SID of Lys were 82.4, 85.7, 87.0, and 78.9%, respectively. The respective SID of Met in FB, FPD, FPH, and FP4 were 84.1, 87.3, 89.8, and 72.1% for broiler chickens. Furthermore, the SID of Met in FB, FPD, FPH, and FP4 for pigs were 71.5, 80.4, 81.8, and 68.1%, respectively. Field peas 4010 had significantly less (P &amp;lt; 0.05) SID of indispensable AA compared with the other ingredients, except for the SID of Trp. In conclusion, the SID of AA were significantly greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in broiler chickens compared with pigs, except for the greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) SID of Pro in pigs and similar SID of Arg between both species.

Effect of Supplementation of Different Levels of Urtica dioica Seeds to the Diet on the Immune Response and Microbial Composition of the Gastrointestinal Tract of Broiler Chickens.

This experiment was conducted in the poultry field of the Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim Green University in order to assess the effect of adding different levels of Urtica dioica seeds to the diet on the immune response and microbial composition of the gastrointestinal tractof broiler chickens. This study was performed on 180 one-day-old unsexed broiler chickens (Ross 380) which were randomly divided into four treatments, with 45 birds per treatment and 3 replicates in each treatment (15 birds per replicate). The treatments were conducted as follows: First treatment (control) without the addition of Urtica dioica seeds to the diet, second treatment: the addition of 5g/kg Urtica dioica seeds, third treatment: the addition of 10g/kg Urtica dioica seeds, and treatment Fourth: the addition of 15g/kg Urtica dioica seeds. The experiment included the following traits: antibody titer against Newcastle disease, investigating sensitivity against Newcastle disease, the relative weight of bursa of Fabricius, bursa of Fabricius index, as well as estimating the total number of bacteria, Coliform bacteria, and Lactobacillus bacteria. The results indicated that the addition of Urtica dioica seeds led to significant improvement in cellular immunity (DHT) and antibody titer against Newcastle disease (ELISA), as well as significant improvement in the relative weight of bursa of Fabricius and bursa of Fabricius index, a significant decrease in the logarithmic number of total aerobic bacteria and Coliform bacteria, as well as a significant increase in the logarithmic number of Lactobacillus bacteria in the Duodenum contents for the small intestine and the Ceca, compared to the control treatment. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the addition of Urtica dioica seeds to the diet can improve the immune traits and microbial compositions of the digestive tract of broiler chickens.

Effect of enzymes by substitution of corn with wheat on growth performance and digestibility of broilers

Substitution of corn with wheat associated with its variable energy content and detrimental effect on broiler performance. In a case of high-cost yellow corn, several feed producers are choosing to replace yellow corn with other ingredients like wheat, barley or sorghum. The predominant Non Starch Polysaccharides (NSP) in wheat are the pentosans (arabinixylans). Nonstarch polysaccharides create a viscous environment in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens thereby interfering with the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Broilers lack endogenous enzymes to degrade arbino-xylans of wheat. Supplementation of exogenous feed grade enzymes to the cereal based diets improve the performance of broilers. Enzyme supplementation of chicken cereals based diets has resulted in improved starch and nitrogen digestibility as well as improved absorption of starch, amino acids and lipids. Supplemental enzymes such as β-glucanase, xylanase, protease and amylase break the polymeric chains of NSP into smaller pieces, thereby improving their nutritional value. The study concluded that the supplementation of NSP-degrading enzymes in wheat-based diet improve growth performance, ileal viscosity and gastric passage rate in broiler chickens.

Altered gene expression of selected matrix metalloproteinase system proteins in the broiler chicken gastrointestinal tract during post-hatch development and coccidia infection

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteases, that can process extracellular matrix (ECM) components and non-ECM molecules. MMPs can also function intracellularly in proteolytic and nonproteolytic functions. The participation of MMPs in the remodeling of the chicken gastrointestinal tract is largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to examine 1) the early neonatal developmental changes and effect of delayed access to feed immediately post-hatch (PH) and 2) the effect of Eimeria infection on mRNA expression of selected MMPs, their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 8 (ADAMTS8) in the gastrointestinal tract of chicken. Protein localization of MMPs and TIMPs was also carried out in the normal ileal wall at −48, 24, and 336 h relative to hatch using immunofluorescence. In experiment 1, newly hatched Ross 708 chicks received feed and water immediately PH or were subjected to 48 h delayed access to feed. Chickens were sampled at −48, 0, 4, 24, 48, 72, 96, 144, 192, 240, 288, and 336 h PH. Ileum was collected for investigation of gene expression or fixed in paraformaldehyde for immunofluorescence. In experiments 2 and 3, Ross 708 male broilers were infected, at 21 d of age with Eimeria maxima or E. acervulina or sham-infected with water. Intestinal tissues were collected at 7 and 10 d postinfection for gene expression analysis. In general, mRNA expression patterns of all examined genes showed downregulation during the first 2 wk PH and were not affected by delay in feed access. These development-dependent changes in expression and tissue-dependent localization in the ileum of selected MMPs and TIMPs indicate that these molecules participate in the remodeling of chicken intestinal tissues during PH development. Increased expression of MMP-7 and MMP-9 transcripts in the intestine of Eimeria infected birds suggests an important role for these enzymes in the process of tissue remodeling and destruction in pathological conditions. The findings of this study are important for understanding the relationship between the expression of the MMP system and intestinal development, as well its role in gastrointestinal infection and subsequent recovery.

Non-starch polysaccharide degradation in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens fed commercial-type diets supplemented with either a single dose of xylanase, a double dose of xylanase, or a cocktail of non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzymes

The aim of this study was to examine non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) degradation in the gastrointestinal tract of chickens fed a range of commercial-type diets supplemented with a commercial dose of xylanase, a double dose of xylanase or a cocktail of NSP – degrading enzymes. Cobb 500 broilers (n = 1,080) were fed 12 dietary treatments; 4 diets with differing primary grain sources (barley, corn, sorghum, and wheat) and three different enzyme treatments (commercial recommended dose of xylanase (16,000 BXU/kg), a double dose of xylanase (32,000 BXU/kg) or an NSP-degrading enzyme cocktail (xylanase, β-glucanase, cellulase, pectinase, mannanase, galactanase, and arabinofuranosidase at recommended commercial levels). There were 108 pens, approximately 10 birds per pen, 9 replicates per dietary treatment. The diets were fed as 3 phases, starter (d 0–12), grower (d 12–23), and finisher (d 23–35). On bird age d 12, 23, and 35, performance (total pen body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio corrected for mortality [cFCR]), litter and excreta dry matter content, and ileal and total tract soluble and insoluble NSP degradability and free oligosaccharide digestibility was determined. On d 35, the quantity of NSP in the gizzard, jejunum, ileum and excreta was determined. Results from this study showed that the double xylanase dose and NSP-ase cocktail had positive impacts on starter phase performance in birds fed the corn- and wheat-based diets. In the grower phase in birds fed the barley-based diet, these enzyme treatments improved cFCR and increased litter dry matter content. The NSP-ase cocktail had a negative impact on finisher phase cFCR in birds fed the sorghum-based diet. The double xylanase dose induced a positive impact on NSP degradability and free oligosaccharide digestibility. In conclusion, there appears to be advantages to feeding broilers a double xylanase dose, but lack of consistency when using an NSP-ase cocktail containing many enzymes.

The flow of non-starch polysaccharides along the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens fed either a wheat- or maize-based diet.

The present study characterised the types and amounts of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) remaining undigested along the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of broiler chickens offered a typical wheat- or maize-based diet. One-day old Cobb 500 mixed-sex chicks were assigned to 24 pens, with 10 birds/pen and 12 pens/treatment. Birds were offered the experimental diets in 3 phases (starter, day 0 to 10; grower, day 11 to 24 and finisher, day 25 to 35). Excreta and digesta samples from the crop, gizzard, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and caeca were collected at 12 and 35 days of age, and analysed for the NSP flow. The wheat-based diet contained higher levels of soluble NSP than the maize-based diet, whereas insoluble NSP levels were similar between the 2 diets. Detailed analysis of NSP constituents revealed that arabinoxylans were the primary NSP in the wheat-based diet, mostly in insoluble form. Pectins were the predominant NSP in the maize-based diet, followed by arabinoxylans. Overall, birds offered the wheat-based diet presented higher levels of soluble NSP remaining in all gut sections compared to birds offered the maize-based diet, at both 12 and 35 days of age (P < 0.050). Accumulation of insoluble NSP in the gizzard was noted in birds fed both diets, but was more pronounced in birds offered the maize-based diet compared to the wheat-based diet, at both 12 and 35 days of age (P < 0.001). The present study highlights marked differences in the amounts and types of NSP delivered to the different gut sections when feeding wheat-compared to maize-based diets, particularly in the gizzard and the lower GIT of birds.

Characterisation of undigested components throughout the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens fed either a wheat- or maize-based diet.

This study was to characterise the undigested nutrients present along the gastrointestinal tract of birds offered common wheat- or maize-based diets, with the goal of optimising utilisation of enzymes to enhance digestive efficiency. Wheat- and maize-based diets were offered to 240 mixed-sex broilers (10 birds/pen; n = 12) from 1 to 35 d post–hatch. Digestibility of dry matter, starch, crude protein and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) were measured in the crop, gizzard, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caeca and excreta at d 12 and 35 post–hatch. Analysis of nutrient levels in the excreta presented that more than 30% of nutrients provided in the feed was wasted, irrespective of wheat or maize diet type. On average, 92 g/kg crude protein, 92 g/kg insoluble NSP and 14 g/kg oligosaccharides were not utilised by birds at d 12 post–hatch. The quantity of water-insoluble NSP in the small intestine at d 12 was lower in birds offered the wheat-based diet compared to those fed the maize-based diet (P < 0.05), with the reverse being true for water-soluble NSP (P < 0.001). On average, 84 g/kg crude protein, 79 g/kg insoluble NSP and 9 g/kg oligosaccharides remained in the excreta at 35 d of age. At this time period, accumulation of feed in the gizzard was noted for birds offered both diets, but was more pronounced in those offered the maize-based diet (P < 0.001). Birds offered the maize-based diet demonstrated improved utilisation of oligosaccharides compared to those fed the wheat-based diet at both d 12 and 35 (P = 0.087 and P = 0.047, respectively). Protein utilisation in the jejunum and ileum was greater in birds offered the wheat-based diet compared to those fed the maize-based diet (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001, respectively). Thus, while both diets supported standard growth performance of birds, the degree and flow of nutrient disappearance along the gastrointestinal tract was influenced by cereal type and bird age.

A Comparison of Colonizing Ability Between Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Heidelberg in Broiler Chickens Challenged Through Feed Administration.

With over 1 million estimated cases per year in the United States, foodborne salmonellosis is an important public health issue. Chicken products are frequent sources of foodborne Salmonella infection. These bacteria readily colonize the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens, and feed is a known vector. Past research has demonstrated that the survivability of Salmonella in feed is dependent on the serovar and strain. Therefore, the objective of this research was to compare colonization incidence of these two serovars in broiler chicken tissues by administration of feed contaminated with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) or Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg (SH). A comparison was made with equal conditions so that there was no influence of other factors. Birds were inoculated by addition of Salmonella to the feed (1 × 104 colony-forming unit [CFU]/g of feed) at 14 days of age, and the following tissue samples were collected from each bird after grow-out (days 34-41 depending on the trial): abdominal cavity swab, bone marrow swab, cloaca swab, lung swab, breast, bursa and thymus, ceca, crop, kidney, liver and spleen, skin, spinal cord, thigh, and trachea. A higher percentage of birds inoculated with SE were positive in at least one tissue compared with SH (68% and 9%, respectively), and the SE inoculated birds also showed a higher number of positive tissue samples than SH (13.1% and 0.7%, respectively). Recovery of SH was low for all tissue samples. However, recovery of SE was variable between samples, with ceca showing the highest percentage (50%). These results indicate that challenge at day 14 through feed administration results in greater colonization by SE compared with SH, suggesting that monitoring and control methods for Salmonella in feed should focus on SE to have the greatest positive effect.

A muramidase from Acremonium alcalophilum hydrolyse peptidoglycan found in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens.

This study evaluates peptidoglycan hydrolysis by a microbial muramidase from the fungus Acremonium alcalophilum in vitro and in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens. Peptidoglycan used for in vitro studies was derived from 5 gram-positive chicken gut isolate type strains. In vitro peptidoglycan hydrolysis was studied by three approaches: (a) helium ion microscopy to identify visual phenotypes of hydrolysis, (b) reducing end assay to quantify solubilization of peptidoglycan fragments, and (c) mass spectroscopy to estimate relative abundances of soluble substrates and reaction products. Visual effects of peptidoglycan hydrolysis could be observed by helium ion microscopy and the increase in abundance of soluble peptidoglycan due to hydrolysis was quantified by a reducing end assay. Mass spectroscopy confirmed the release of hydrolysis products and identified muropeptides from the five different peptidoglycan sources. Peptidoglycan hydrolysis in chicken crop, jejunum, and caecum samples was measured by quantifying the total and soluble muramic acid content. A significant increase in the proportion of the soluble muramic acid was observed in all three segments upon inclusion of the microbial muramidase in the diet.

The effectiveness of enzyme preparations in broiler chicken diets

With the wrong use of antibiotics for agricultural poultry, the effectiveness of their effect on the body is noticeably reduced, since pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms become resistant to them for a certain time, i.e., there is a process of “addiction“. Experience shows that enrichment of feed rations with enzyme preparations and vitamins improves the functioning of the stomach and intestines, increases the natural resistance of the body, as a result of which the mortality of poultry decreases, the absorption of feed is significantly increased and their costs per unit of production are reduced. We studied the effect of the new vitamin-enzyme complex Vitaferm on the organism of broilers against the background of the exclusion of antibacterial drugs from the antiepizootic measures scheme and compared its effect with the enzyme preparation Avizim 110. The studies carried out indicate the positive effect of Vitafarm and Avizim 110 on the poultry organism, which is manifested by an increase in average daily poultry gains, an increase in safety, and a decrease in feed costs per unit of production. These changes can be explained by the normalization of the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens and increased immunity. Antibiotics suppress the body’s immune system; upset the balance of the intestinal microflora. For the complete or partial exclusion of antibacterial drugs from the scheme of antiepizootic measures, it is proposed to apply to broiler chickens with feed the vitamin-enzyme complex of Vitaferm at the rate of 15.0 g / kg starting from day old for 10 days.

Evaluation of the Ingestive Behavior of Foreign Fragments and the Integrity of Gastrointestinal Tract of Broiler Chickens

ABSTRACT Fragments with vibrant colors and attractive textures in poultry house litter may be consumed considering that the confinement environment does not offer many opportunities for the development of the birds’s natural behavior. Control and quality programs aiming to reduce and to eliminate the consumption of materials from the construction of sheds have been implanted. However, it is necessary to develop studies for a better understanding of the bird’s ingestive behavior and the consequences for their health, welfare and productivity. The goal of this study was to evaluate the ingestive behavior of broilers exposed to metal, wood, glass and plastic fragments at different concentrations and sizes added to the poultry house litter and the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract of broilers. A total of 360 birds were distributed in a completely randomized design over a 2x3 factorial scheme (2 fragment sizes: 2 to 7 mm and 5 to 8 mm and 3 concentrations: 0.1, 0.5 and 1%), totaling 6 treatments and 5 replicates. The fragments used were glass, wood, metal and plastic, in respective concentrations and sizes, distributed in the poultry house litter. The supply of fragments or the accidental occurrence of similar fragments to which were analyzed in this study concerning the poultry house litter, with different sizes, colors and textures does not compromise the integrity of the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and the welfare of the birds.

Hygiene of microbiota of broiler chickens with introduction of sorbent additive based on tripoli

Currently, mycotoxicosis and losses of poultry farming from non-communicable diseases are not a solved problem. The microflora of the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens, under the influence of the feed components, undergoes a qualitative change throughout the entire period of poultry growing. Authors in dynamics carried out studies to study the qualitative and quantitative composition of the microbiota of broiler chickens and its response to the impact of the feed additive «MeKaSorb». Introduction of various sorbent additives into the diet, including those based on tripoli, improves detoxification processes, regulates mineral, enzyme, hormonal and vitamin metabolism in the body of poultry. Ensuring maximum hygiene of the broiler microbiota allows to reduce the toxic load on the body of young poultry, ensure high safety of the livestock and get the maximum amount of products. Improving the sanitary quality and safety of food, as well as the prevention of diseases in poultry and humans is the most important task that must be addressed by the chief specialists at poultry farms. It has been established that the introduction of a patented additive-sorbent of mycotoxins based on tripoli «MeKaSorb» ensures the hygiene of the microbiota of broiler chickens, stimulates the growth and development of lacto- and bifidoflora, reduces the number of aerobic microorganisms and inhibits the reproduction and colonization of the gastrointestinal tract by bacteria of the intestinal group. Feed additive «MeKaSorb» is recommended for use in compound feeds for preventive purposes when growing poultry.

Isolation, identification and molecular detection of selected probiotic bacteria from broiler chickens and their related environment

This study was aimed to isolate and identify the potential probiotic bacteria from broiler chickens and their related environment of the two districts in Bangladesh by using cultural and biochemical techniques and detection of the selected isolated probiotic potential bacterial species by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In this context five probiotic bacteria species of five bacteria genera were screened out from 750 samples in where there were 186 Lactobacillus genus isolates, 102 Bacillus genus isolates, 112 Streptococcus genus isolates, 220 Enterococcus genus isolates and 33 Bifidobacteriumgenus isolates on the basis of biochemical properties like 10% solution of total 22 different sugars. Other biochemical tests like MR-VP, Oxidase, Catalase, Citrate utilization, MIU and Indole test were major. Genus was detected through specific genus target gene and 16S r DNA based PCR. Selected probiotic bacteria species were detected through species specific target gene PCR. We confirmed 23 Lactobacillus acidophilus species isolates, 14 Bacillus subtilisisolates, 19 Streptococcus thermophilusisolates, 31 Enterococcus faeciumisolates and 09 Bifidobacteriumbifidumisolates at species level with ddlgene, apr-E gene, 16S-23S ITS gene, BIBI gene, Stp-TH gene primers. The novelty of this study is at first time in Bangladesh, we isolated and identified five selected potential probiotic species from the gastro-intestinal tract of broiler chickens and their related environmental sources by not only using traditional cultural, biochemical techniques but also genus and species specific target gene based PCR.&#x0D; Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2020, 6(3): 383-399

Potential Thermotolerant Lactobacilli Isolated from Chicken Gastrointestinal Tract for Probiotic Use in Poultry Feeds

This research was carried out to isolate and identify thermotolerant lactobacilli from broiler chicken gastrointestinal tract from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Twenty five thermotolerant Lactobacillus strains were isolated and identified as Lactobacillus species based on cultural characteristics, biochemical tests, and sugar fermentation. The probiotic are a live microbial feed supplements which positively affects the health of the host animal by improving its intestinal balance.The results showed only four among twenty five isolates were highly responded to probiotic criteria such as low pH tolerance (2.5), bile salt tolerance (2%) and sodium chloride salt tolerance (5%) in vitro, and were identified strains as Lactobacillus plantarum img-02, Lactobacillus plantarum img-08, Lactobacillus plantarum img-10 and Lactobacillus acidophilus img-14 according to Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology. Four isolates grow enough at 45°C and two isolates (Lactobacillus plantarum img-10 and Lactobacillus acidophilus img-14) heat stable at 60°C for 30 min. All the strains were showed protease activity on skim milk agar. These strains were resistance to commercial antibiotic ciprofloxacin, gentamycin, imipenem and penicillin G but sensitive to ampicillin, doxycycline, erythromycin and tetracycline; also have antimicrobial activity against common pathogen such as ATCC of Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella flexneri, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli (environmental isolates), Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans. This study concludes that these isolates may be used as potential candidate as probiotic poultry feed.&#x0D; Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 36 Number 2 December 2019, pp 63-68

Application of culturomics to characterize diverse anaerobic bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens in relation to environmental reservoirs

Characterization of the microbiota of chickens is of current interest. The goals of the current study were to apply anaerobic isolation methods to comprehensively isolate and identify bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract of chickens and their environment. Bacterial communities within the drinking water were dominated by Escherichia, whereas communities in litter were more representative of the cecum. The crop and small intestine (jejunum and ileum) were dominated by Lactobacillus and Enterococcus spp., and the cecum was dominated by Proteus spp. The collection of bacteria isolated was dominated by Enterococcus spp., Escherichia/Shigella spp., Lactobacillus spp., and Proteus spp.; however, many rare taxa were observed. These included members of the Clostridiales and Clostridium spp., which were commonly isolated from the ileum and cecum. Bacteria isolated by enrichment and direct plating differed. The selective de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe agar was commonly associated with the isolation of Lactobacillus spp. and yielded the lowest diversity of all methods utilized. Increased diversity and frequency of Clostridium spp. was observed in enrichments of blood and mucus or by plating on Columbia agar supplemented with 10% blood and gentamicin. The bacteria isolated from this study provide source material for genomic and functional studies in chicken hosts.

In vitro versus in situ evaluation of xylan hydrolysis into xylo-oligosaccharides in broiler chicken gastrointestinal tract

Xylan hydrolysis into xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) was evaluated both in the gizzard and ileum of broiler chickens, and by a 2-step in vitro digestion assay that simulated the pH, temperature and time period of the gastric and small intestine (SI) phases. Twelve dietary treatments with varying soluble and insoluble xylan levels, either with or without supplemental xylanase, were fed to broiler chickens (n = 576) for the in situ analysis, and were exposed to the in vitro assay. Relatedness of the two methods was strong for determination of XOS production in all dietary treatments for X5, X4, X3, X2 and X1, respectively, in both the gastric (r = 0.980, 0.853, 0.894, 0.870 and 0.951) and small intestine phase (r = 0.957, 0.923, 0.940, 0.970, 0.969) (P < 0.05). Consequently, the in vitro assay was used to illustrated the diversity of XOS production across different batches of wheat and barley in the presence of xylanase.