Gastrointestinal Tract Of Broilers Research Articles

Effects of probiotics on productive performances and serum lipid profile of broiler as substitute of antibiotics.

The present research was accomplished to characterize probiotics from broiler gastrointestinal tract (GIT) by profiling biochemical, antimicrobial, and antibiotic sensitivity properties. Eventually, probiotic potentiality was evaluated as a substitute for antibiotic supplements in broiler focusing growth performance, carcass characteristics, and serum lipid profile. Probiotic bacteria were characterized based on morphological, physiological, and several biochemical tests. Antibacterial activity against a broad spectrum of antibiotics and bacterial pathogens was detected. An in vivo trial was conducted on 40-day-old Ross 308 broiler strains during 21 days in an in vivo trial. The chicks were divided into total of five groups, a control group and four experimental groups (Antibiotic1, Antibiotic2, Probiotic1, and Probiotic2) in a completely randomized design. Probiotic was supplemented in broiler feed (2× 109 CFU/g feed) or by direct oral gavage (1× 109 CFU/chick). The variables of production performance like body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass characteristics and serum lipid profile were measured. 10 probiotic bacteria were presumptively identified as Lactobacillus sp. based on the morphological, physiological, and strong resistance properties in several biochemical tests. The mixture of Lactobacillus had favorable effects on productive performance of broilers regarding BW, ADG, and FCR (p < .05) compared with chickens that had no additive or had antibiotic during overall period of in vivo trial. Additionally, noteworthy efficacy on carcass characteristics and serum lipid profile were found (p < .05) in Lactobacillus mixture fed chicken groups of in vivo trial. Mixed Lactobacillus sp. can be considered as a potential additive for broiler diet attributable to noteworthy efficacy on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and serum lipid profile. Accordingly, the research highlights the need for suitable alteration of antibiotics through probiotic characterization and proper inclusion in broiler diet.

Complete genome sequence of Ligilactobacillus agilis LDTM47, bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria isolated from broiler gastrointestinal tract

Complete genome sequence of Ligilactobacillus agilis LDTM47, bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria isolated from broiler gastrointestinal tract

Combined Effects of Cyclic Heat Stress, Dietary Induced Oxidative Stress and Different Levels of Antioxidant on Gut Fermentation Activity and Mucosal Morphology in Broiler Chickens

The gastrointestinal tract of broilers is susceptible to oxidative stress induced by heat stress (HS) and diet, which can be mitigated by the supply of exogenous vitamins and antioxidants. The aim of this study was to compare the extent of the effects of cyclic HS, and high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (HP) on gut health. It also aimed to investigate whether additional supplementation with vitamins E, C and selenium (HA) is required to support gut health under these conditions. In the present study, 192 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly divided into eight experimental groups. Exposure to HS and HP significantly (p &lt; 0.001) decreased villus height and villus-to-crypt ratio in the duodenum, while no differences were observed in the jejunum and ileum. In addition, oxidative stress in the liver, indicated by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, was increased in the HP groups (p &lt; 0.0001), while the HA groups had a positive effect on lowering MDA levels. The results confirm that cyclic HS and HP induce oxidative stress that damages the structure of intestinal morphology and that supplementation with HA could be a potential approach to mitigate the negative effects of these stressors.

Oral Administration of a Phage Cocktail to Reduce Salmonella Colonization in Broiler Gastrointestinal Tract-A Pilot Study.

Salmonella contamination in poultry meat products can lead to serious foodborne illness and economic loss from product recalls. It is crucial to control Salmonella contamination in poultry from farm to fork. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses of bacteria that offer several advantages, especially their specificity to target bacteria. In our study, three Salmonella phages (vB_SenS_KP001, vB_SenS_KP005, and vB_SenS_WP110) recovered from a broiler farm and wastewater treatment stations showed high lysis ability ranging from 85.7 to 96.4% on over 56 serovars of Salmonella derived from several sources, including livestock and a broiler farm environment. A three-phage cocktail reduced S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium, in vitro by 3.9 ± 0.0 and 3.9 ± 0.2 log units at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 103 and 3.8 ± 0.4 and 4.1 ± 0.2 log units at MOI of 104 after 6 h post-phage treatment. A developed phage cocktail did not cause phage resistance in Salmonella during phage treatments for three passages. Phages could survive under simulated chicken gastrointestinal conditions in the presence of gastric acid for 2 h (100.0 ± 0.0% survivability), bile salt for 1 h (98.1 ± 1.0% survivability), and intestinal fluid for 4 h (100 ± 0.0% survivability). Each phage was in the phage cocktail at a concentration of up to 9.0 log PFU/mL. These did not cause any cytotoxicity to human fibroblast cells or Caco-2 cells as indicated by the percent of cell viability, which remained nearly 100% as compared with the control during 72 h of co-culture. The phage cocktail was given to broilers raised in commercial conditions at a 9 log PFU/dose for five doses, while naturally occurring Salmonella cells colonized in the gastrointestinal tract of broilers were significantly reduced as suggested by a considerably lower Salmonella prevalence from over 70 to 0% prevalence after four days of phage treatment. Our findings suggest that a phage cocktail is an effective biocontrol agent to reduce Salmonella present in the guts of broilers, which can be applied to improve food safety in broiler production.

BAC TRAT 2A® biological modulator performed well in the control of Salmonella sp. in production environment and digestive tract of broilers

Biological methods such as the use of competitive and beneficial microorganisms that hinder microbial survival have been gaining prominence in the poultry industry, with a view to reducing contamination by pathogens of importance in the sector, such as Salmonella sp. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of the biological modulator BAC TRAT 2A® on the reduction of Salmonella sp. in the poultry beddingand in the gastrointestinal tract of broilers under real housing conditions subject to natural infection by the pathogen, as well as to evaluate the genotypic and phenotypic profile of the isolates obtained. The experiment was carried out between March 2018 and August 2019, in the state of Paraná. The study consisted of two sheds, the bed used in shed 1 being the negative control (C) and the bed in shed 2 being the treatment (T), being treated with the biological modulator BAC TRAT 2A®. The performance of BAC TRAT 2A® was positive for reducing the health challenge involving the presence of Salmonella sp. during poultry farming. Both in the environment and in the birds 'cecum there was a decrease in the pathogen load, mainly in the final stages of the breeding cycle, possibly caused by the competitive exclusion in the aviary litter and biological modulation of the birds' microbiota in contact with the product.

Effect of Doxycycline Use in the Early Broiler Production Cycle on the Microbiome.

16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was used to investigate changes in the broiler gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota throughout the rearing period and in combination with antibiotic treatment. Thirty birds (from a commercial flock) were removed at multiple points throughout the rearing period on days 13, 27, and 33, euthanised, and their GIT aseptically removed and divided into upper (the crop, proventriculus, and the gizzard), middle (the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) and lower (the large intestine, the caeca, and the cloaca) sections. In a separate commercial flock, on the same farm with similar husbandry practices and feed, doxycycline (100 mg/ml per kg body weight) was administered in drinking water between day 8 and 12 (inclusive) of the production cycle. Birds were removed on days, 13, 27, and 33 and GIT samples prepared as above. The contents of three merged samples from each GIT section were pooled (n = 60), the DNA extracted and analysed by 16S rRNA amplicon metagenomic sequencing and analysed. Major changes in the broiler microbiota were observed as the birds aged particularly with the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (F:B) of the lower GIT. Moreover, Chao1, ACE, and Shannon indices showed the antibiotic treatment significantly altered the microbiota, and this change persisted throughout the rearing period. Further research is required to investigate the effect of these changes on bird performance, susceptibility to infections and Campylobacter carriage.

The effects of supplemental levels of inorganic zinc, manganese and copper on growth performance in commercial broilers

Commercial broiler premixes provide trace minerals (TMs) such as Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn) and Copper (Cu) above the birds' requirements to maximise broiler performance. High inclusion levels of TM and their low absorption in the broiler's gastrointestinal tract have led to increased TM levels in their litter, raising concerns about TM's accumulation in the environment from poultry litter. A 35-day broiler trial was conducted at a broiler facility with 2 880-day-old Cobb 500 broiler males. The objective was to evaluate whether decreasing inorganic Zn, Mn and Cu levels in broiler diets would have a negative effect on broiler growth parameters such as BW, average daily gain, cumulative feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Consequently, these minerals were supplemented at 100%, 50%, 25%, and 0% of the Cobb standards. No significant difference in FI and FCR was observed between the treatments for the first 21 days, and there were no significant differences in BW between the positive control, negative control (NC), and 50% of Cobb recommended levels at day 35. However, BW for the NC was significantly higher than the 25% level. These results show that reducing TM levels in broiler diets below commercially recommended levels had no negative effect on broiler performance, with the subsequent economic benefits for producers.

Impact of Xylanase and Glucanase on Oligosaccharide Formation, Carbohydrate Fermentation Patterns, and Nutrient Utilization in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Broilers.

Simple SummaryFiber-degrading enzymes are commonly used as feed additives in poultry nutrition to offset the anti-nutritive impact of cereal fibers. These enzymes have been associated with improved nutrient digestion and hindgut fermentation of fibers, and ultimately, improved animal growth. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms are not fully clear. The aim of this research was to determine the ability of fiber-degrading enzymes to break fibers down to smaller, more easily fermentable structures and evaluate its implications on feed digestion and fermentation in broilers. It was shown that fiber-degrading enzymes released oligosaccharides in the upper gastrointestinal tract in wheat-fed broilers. This coincided with higher short-chain fatty acid production in the ceca and improved nutrient digestion in the small intestine. Such processes were not observed in maize-fed broilers. The higher impact of enzymes in the wheat-based diet is believed to be related to the more complex structure of maize fibers as well as to the higher nutritional value of maize compared to wheat. This study further establishes the beneficial influence of fiber-degrading enzyme supplementation on nutrient and fiber use.This study aimed at determining how the degradation of cereal non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) by dietary enzymes during feed digestion can influence nutrient digestibility and NSP fermentability in broilers. Ninety-six one-day-old male broilers were assigned to 4 different treatments: control and enzyme-supplemented wheat-based (WC, WE) or maize-based (MC, ME) treatments. Enzyme supplementation with endo-xylanase and endo-glucanase occurred from day 20 onwards. On day 28, digesta samples were collected. Nutrient digestibility, NSP recovery, oligosaccharide profile, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) content were determined. Enzyme supplementation in WE resulted in a higher starch (3%; p = 0.004) and protein (5%; p = 0.002) digestion in the ileum compared to WC. Xylanase activity in WE led to in situ formations of arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides consisting of 5 to 26 pentose units in the ileum. This coincided with decreased arabinose (p = 0.059) and xylose (p = 0.036) amounts in the ceca and higher acetate (p = 0.014) and butyrate (p = 0.044) formation in WE compared to WC. Conversely, complete total tract recovery of arabinoxylan in MC and ME suggested poor maize NSP fermentability. Overall, enzyme action improved nutrient digestibility and arabinoxylan fermentability in the wheat-based diet. The lower response of the maize-based diet to enzyme treatment may be related to the recalcitrance of maize arabinoxylan as well as to the high nutritive value of maize.

Nutraceuticals Induced Changes in the Broiler Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiota

ABSTRACTEffects of nutraceuticals on the intestinal microbiota are receiving increased attention; however, there are few studies investigating their effects on broiler meat production. The aim of this study was to implement feeding strategies and carry out a comprehensive trial examining the interplay between natural biologically active compounds such as carotenoids, anthocyanins, fermentable oligosaccharides, and synbiotics and the gastrointestinal tract microbiota. Our feeding program was applied to an intensive production system with a flock of 1,080 Ross 308 broilers. Aging induced significant changes through the feeding experiment. Nutraceuticals were shown to modulate broiler intestinal diversity and differentially enriched Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Campylobacter, and Streptococcus in the core microbiome during the different stages of broiler rearing. Additionally, they did not remarkably affect animal growth performance; nevertheless, a positive correlation was found between body weight and Corynebacteriales and Pseudomonadales. Furthermore, a diet high in carotenoid, fermentable oligosaccharide, and anthocyanin contents affected the number of beneficial genera such as Faecalibacterium, Lactobacillus, Blautia, and Ruminococcus. With this comprehensive trial, we revealed that nutraceuticals induced modulations in broiler gastrointestinal tract microbiota. We believe that plant-derived immunostimulants, recycled from plant food waste products, can supplement antibiotic-free broiler meat production.IMPORTANCE In this trial, nutraceuticals were manufactured from waste products of food industry processing of Hungarian red sweet pepper and sour cherry and incorporated into the diet of poultry to investigate their effects on broilers’ growth and the broiler gastrointestinal tract microbiota. To avoid the generation of food waste products, we believe that this approach can be developed into a sustainable, green approach that can be implemented in commercial antibiotic-free poultry to provide safe and high-quality meat.

Effect of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis probiotic supplementation on cecal Salmonella load in broilers challenged with salmonella

The overall objective in this study is to determine the effects of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis probiotic supplementation on performance and cecal Salmonella load in broilers challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar enteritidis. A total of 360 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly distributed to 4 experimental groups in a 2 × 2 factorial setup of treatments: control, control + challenge, probiotics (10 mg/kg feed of B. subtilis strain HU58; HU58 plus 100 mg/kg feed of B. licheniformis SC307; Prepro; Microbiome Labs, Saint Augustine, FL), and probiotics + challenge. Each treatment was replicated in 6 pens (n = 6) with 15 chicks per pen. At 21 d of age, all birds in the challenge groups were inoculated orally with 250 μL of 1 × 109 cfu S. enteritidis. At 42 d of age, birds in the control + challenge group had 180-g decrease, whereas birds in the probiotic + challenge groups had only 40-g decrease in the BW gain, compared with the control group. At 28 d of age, birds in the control + challenge group had 220-g decrease, whereas birds in the probiotic + challenge groups had only 140-g decrease in feed consumption compared with that in the control group. Birds in the probiotic + challenge group had 0.73, 1.59, and 1.32 log decrease in Salmonella cfu/g of cecal contents at 5, 12, and 21 d after Salmonella infection, compared with the challenge group. Birds in the challenge group had higher (P < 0.05) titers of anti-Salmonella IgA in the bile. Birds in the probiotic + challenge group had further increased (P < 0.05) anti-Salmonella bile IgA titers compared with the birds in the challenge group. At 21 d after Salmonella infection, birds in the challenge group had 17.3-μm decrease (P < 0.05) in the villus height compared with the control group, whereas birds in the probiotics + challenge group had a comparable villus height to that in the probiotic group. It can be concluded that B. subtilis and B. Licheniformis probiotic can be a tool in decreasing Salmonella loads in the broiler's gastrointestinal tract, and B. subtilis and B. Licheniformis supplementation can be expected to decrease broiler carcass contamination with Salmonella.

Arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides kick-start arabinoxylan digestion in the aging broiler

While arabinoxylans (AX), an important dietary fiber fraction of wheat-based broiler diets, are known for exerting antinutritional effects in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of broilers, the prebiotic potential of arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides (AXOS) is also well-documented. However, inconsistent performance responses as well as the effectiveness of low amounts of AXOS used in diets of previously conducted experiments put into question the classical prebiotic route being the sole mode of action of AXOS. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary AXOS addition on the rate of AX digestion in the gastrointestinal tract of broilers as a function of broiler age to gain more insight into the mode of action of these oligosaccharides. A feeding trial was performed on 480 one-day-old chicks (Ross 308) receiving a wheat-based diet supplemented with or without 0.50% AXOS, containing no endoxylanases. Digesta samples from ileum and caeca and fecal samples were analyzed for AX content, AX digestibility, intestinal viscosity, and microbial AX-degrading enzyme activities at 6 different ages (day 5, 10, 15, 21, 28, 35). Chicks fed from hatching with 0.50% AXOS demonstrated a higher ileal viscosity (P < 0.05). Also higher levels of AX solubilization and fermentation compared to control birds at 10 D were observed. This was noted by the higher total tract AX digestibility of water-extractable AX (WE-AX) and total AX (TOT-AX) at this age (P < 0.05). Although no significant difference in AX-degrading enzyme activities was observed among the dietary treatments, AXOS supplementation in young broilers was shown to stimulate or “kick-start” dietary AX digestion, thereby speeding up the development of a fiber-fermenting microbiome in the young broiler. This stimulation effect of AXOS could enable greater functional value to be extracted from dietary fiber in broiler feeds.

Tendentious effects of automated and manual metagenomic DNA purification protocols on broiler gut microbiome taxonomic profiling

Here, we developed protocols to improve sensitivity, rigor and comparability of 16S rRNA gene amplification-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) results. A thorough study was performed by evaluating extraction efficiency with respect to the yield, purity, fragmentation of the purified DNA, and sequencing metrics considering the number of quality reads, amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), community structure and biodiversity. We identified batch-effects that significantly bias broiler gastrointestinal tract (GIT) community compositions and made recommendations to improve sensitivity, consistency, and cross-study comparability. We found that the purity of the extracted nucleic acid had a strong effect on the success rate of downstream library preparations. The preparation of stool bacterial suspensions from feces showed a significant positive influence on community biodiversity by enriching Gram-negative bacteria and cataloguing low abundant taxa with greater success than direct processing of fecal material. Applications relying on the automated Roche MagNa Pure 24 magnetic-bead based method provided results with high consistency therefore it seems to be the optimal choice in large-scale studies for investigating broiler GIT microbiota.

Influential factors on the composition of the conventionally raised broiler gastrointestinal microbiomes

The microbiome has entered the vernacular of the consumer as well as broiler production and is, therefore, becoming increasingly important to poultry producers to understand. The microbiome is, by definition, compositional and relates to how the microbiological organisms within the gut inhabit that ecological niche. The gut is diverse, flexible, and data acquired requires a greater understanding of the host-microbiome axes, as well as advanced bioinformatics and ecology. There are numerous microbial populations that define the gut microbiome; however, there are even more effects that can influence its composition. As management practices vary between producers, documenting these influences is an essential component of beginning to understand the microbiome. This review targets broiler production and concatenates the currently understood compositional ecology of the broiler gastrointestinal tract microbiome as well as its influences.

Effects of Feed Particle Size and Hydro-Thermal Processing Methods on Starch Modification, Nutrient Digestibility and the Performance and the Gastrointestinal Tract of Broilers.

Simple SummaryTechnological benefits of feed processing methods are well defined but not their benefits and disadvantages for broiler feeding. The current study tested the impact of feed particle size and various hydro-thermal processing methods (HTPM) on feed value, broiler performance and alterations of the digestive tract. It was shown that HTPM influences physico-chemical characteristics of the feed including starch modifications. The compaction process during pelleting contributes to the reduction of feed wastage and selection. However, the high daily feed intake caused by pellet feeding is also a main risk factor for proventricular dilatation.Influences of feed particle size (coarse, fine) and hydro-thermal processing methods (HTPM) (without–non-compacted feed, pelleting, expanding and pelleting) on feeding value and the performance and digestive tract of 624 broilers were studied. HTPM increased the starch disintegration of feed. Starch disintegration and electron microscopy indicated the highest degree of starch modification in expanded and pelleted feed. HTPM affected ether extract digestibility (p < 0.05). A grinding-by-HTPM interaction was found in case of crude protein digestibility (p = 0.008). Non-compacted feed reduced daily feed intake (DFI) and body weight gain and increased the feed to gain ratio compared to compacted feeds (p < 0.001). Compacted feeds increased proventricular size and the risk of Isthmus gastrici dilatation compared to coarsely ground non-compacted feed, except for finely ground expanded and pelleted feed. Finely ground feed reduced proventricular weights compared to coarsely ground feed and pelleted feed compared to other feeds. Non-compacted feed increased gizzard weights compared to compacted feeds. Relationships between proventricular size and Isthmus gastrici dilatation and the DFI were detected. Summarizing, the beneficial effects of pelleted feed were mainly based on the reduction of feed wastage and selection. However, the high DFI caused by pellet feeding is also a main risk factor for proventricular dilatation.

Essential Oils as an Intervention Strategy to Reduce Campylobacter in Poultry Production: A Review.

Campylobacter is a major foodborne pathogen and can be acquired through consumption of poultry products. With 1.3 million United States cases a year, the high prevalence of Campylobacter within the poultry gastrointestinal tract is a public health concern and thus a target for the development of intervention strategies. Increasing demand for antibiotic-free products has led to the promotion of various alternative pathogen control measures both at the farm and processing level. One such measure includes utilizing essential oils in both pre- and post-harvest settings. Essential oils are derived from plant-based extracts, and there are currently over 300 commercially available compounds. They have been proposed to control Campylobacter in the gastrointestinal tract of broilers. When used in concentrations low enough to not influence sensory characteristics, essential oils have also been proposed to decrease bacterial contamination of the poultry product during processing. This review explores the use of essential oils, particularly thymol, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde, and their role in reducing Campylobacter concentrations both pre- and post-harvest. This review also details the suggested mechanisms of action of essential oils on Campylobacter.

Phytase as an alleviator of high-temperature stress in broilers fed adequate and low dietary calcium

This study aimed to investigate the effect of phytase and dietary Ca level on performance, phytate (inositol hexa-phosphate, IP6) concentration, and anti-oxidant enzyme activity in broilers exposed to cycling high environmental temperatures. A total of 2,970 day-old Cobb 400 male broilers were randomly allocated among 6 treatments, with 15 replicate pens, and 33 birds per pen. Corn-soy diets low in available phosphorus (avP, 0.15% matrix applied) were fed in 2 phases; starter (0 to 21 d) and grower (22 to 42 d). Diets were factorially arranged by 2 × 3, with adequate (0.90% starter, 0.80% grower) or low (0.60% starter, 0.50% grower) dietary Ca and phytase (0, 500, or 3,000 phytase units (FTU)/kg). Temperature was not regulated, but followed environmental changes determined by the summer season in India; 22 to 39°C in the morning and 23 to 40°C at night. At 42 d of age, supplementing either dose of phytase increased (P < 0.001) weight gain (+128 g) and feed intake (+194 g) of birds, while only 3,000 FTU/kg phytase lowered (P < 0.01) feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control. Birds fed low Ca diets had poorer (P < 0.01) weight gain (-33 g) and FCR (+0.04) than birds fed adequate Ca levels, suggesting that Ca was limiting in these diets. Phytase and low dietary Ca reduced the concentration of IP esters in the gastrointestinal tract of broilers. Lower IP6, IP5, IP4, and IP3 concentrations and increased myo-inositol provision was positively correlated to anti-oxidant enzyme activity in tissues. These results indicate that phytase can be used to alleviate the negative performance traits accredited to broilers under high temperature stress, potentially by reducing the anti-nutritive effect of IP6 and improving anti-oxidant status of birds. However, caution should be taken when reducing dietary Ca levels as improvements in IP6 degradation and anti-oxidant status cannot overcome the constraints on growth by diets that do not meet the Ca requirements.

Stabilization of enzyme prepareition protosubtilin G3X for use it on poultry farming

Stabilization of enzyme prepareition protosubtilin G3X for use it on poultry farming

Recent advances in fermented feeds towards improved broiler chicken performance, gastrointestinal tract microecology and immune responses: A review.

Previously, fermentation has been associated with methods that improve the nutritional value of unconventional feed ingredients for broilers. In recent decades, the fermentation process has been employed to produce functional feeds that have the potential to improve broiler gastrointestinal tract microecology, health and production performance. Some of the functional ingredients found in fermented feed include lactic acid bacteria (LAB), lactic acid and other organic acids, and appear to play major roles in determining the beneficial effects of fermented feed on broiler gut health and performance. Unlike the pig, the available literature on broiler fermented feed is still rather limited. This review describes recent advances in the use of fermented feed (on the basis of conventional and unconventional feed ingredients) in broilers. Similarly, this review also shows that additional research is necessary to exploit fermented feed as a viable food source in broiler nutrition.

Effects of pea extrusion and enzyme and probiotic supplementation on performance, microbiota activity and biofilm formation in the broiler gastrointestinal tract

ABSTRACT1. The effects of supplementation of broiler chicken diets with pea meal, carbohydrase enzymes and a probiotic were investigated for potential performance improvement.2. Raw or extruded pea meal (cv Model, grown in Poland) was included in a wheat-soybean meal-based diet at 250 g/kg. The diets were unsupplemented (control) or supplemented with either carbohydrase enzymes (200 U/kg xylanase and 10 U/kg β-glucanase in feed) or a probiotic (Bacillus subtilis), or both. The diets were fed to Ross 308 broilers aged 9–28 days.3. After two additional days, chick gastrointestinal tracts were excised and analysed for the presence of Bacillus subtilis biofilm; and the ileal and caecal digesta were analysed for bacterial enzyme activities and to determine the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).4. Feeding the pea-based diet supplemented with the probiotic compromised feed utilisation, due to higher feed intake. The addition of enzymes to the raw, but not the extruded, pea containing diet partially ameliorated this effect (pea form × additives; P < 0.002).5. In the ileal digesta, interactions between the dietary treatments were observed for the activities of all bacterial glycolytic enzymes and for SCFA concentrations. β-glucosidase, α-galactosidase and β-glucuronidase were highest in birds fed the diet containing extruded pea supplemented with the probiotic and enzymes (pea form x additives; P = 0.018 to P < 0.006). In the caecal digesta, interactions were observed for bacterial enzyme activities, but not for total SCFA concentration. Biofilm formation in the caecum indicated that the probiotic strain was metabolically active in the broiler gut.6. In conclusion, supplementation of diets containing raw or extruded pea meal with enzymes and a Bacillus subtilis spore-based probiotic modulated microbiota activity but had no clear effects on broiler performance. Probiotic administration did not cause excessive fermentation in the ileum and caecum but enhanced Bacillus subtilis spp. biofilm formation in the caecum, which may be indicative of a beneficial effect on gut health.

Heat exposure affects jejunal tight junction remodeling independently of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase in 9-day-old broiler chicks.

Dysfunction of the intestinal epithelial barrier under elevated temperatures is assumed to prompt pathological conditions and to eventually impede chickens' growth, resulting in massive economic losses in broiler industries. The aims of this research were to determine the impact of acute heat stress on the intestinal tight junction network of broiler chicks (Gallus domesticus L.) and to elucidate whether adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was involved in the integrated response of the broiler's gastrointestinal tract to heat stress. A total of 80 9-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were subjected to temperature treatment (thermoneutral versus heat stress) and AMPK inhibition treatment (5mg/kg body weight intraperitoneal injection of compound C vs. sham treatment) for 72 h. In addition to monitoring growth performance, the mRNA and protein levels of key tight junction proteins, target components of the AMPK pathway, and biomarkers of intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress were assessed in the jejunum under both stressors at 24 and 72 h. An increase of the major tight junction proteins, claudin-1 and zonula occludens-1, was implemented in response to an exacerbated expression of the AMP-activated protein kinase. Heat stress did not affect zootechnical performance but was confirmed by an increased gene expression of heat shock proteins 70 and 90 as well as heat shock factor-1. In addition, hyperthermia induced significant effects on tight junction proteins, although it was independent of AMPK.