Dietary Probiotics Research Articles

Effect of Lactobacillus Probiotic Supplement on Growth and Haematological Performance of Indian Major Carp Labeo rohita

The influence of probiotics bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus improves the survival, growth, and Hematological performance of the Indian major carp Rohu (Labeo rohita). After acclimation, a 60-day experimental study was conducted with four different types of treatments; namely, T1: Control, i.e. Basal feed without Probiotic supplements, T2: Basal feed with Aeromonas hydrophila, T3: Lactobacillus supplemented probiotic feed without Aeromonas hydrophila, and T4: Lactobacillus supplemented probiotic feed with A. hydrophila. After the experimental study, growth parameters were monitored through Weight gain, Specific growth rates, survival percentage, and haematological parameters including WBC, RBC, haemoglobin (Hb), and haematocrit (Hct) values of probiotics treated group (T3 and T4) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than control and T2 group. The Present study indicated that the positive effects of the L. acidophilus probiotic supplement diet improved the survival, growth, and Haematological performance in aquaculture.

A multi-omics approach reveals the changes in the gut microbiome and metabolism of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) by dietary supplementation with Bacillus

The intestine serves as the primary site for nutrient absorption in animals. Research in gut biology is increasingly focused on understanding its correlation with the microbiome, specifically by employing probiotics in diets to enhance gut health and stimulate animal growth. In this study, we isolated two Bacillus species (Bacillus halophilus and Lysinibacillus sphaericus) from the intestinal tract of a large yellow croaker and investigated their roles as dietary supplements, assessing their impact on intestinal microbial composition and their efficacy in large yellow croaker growth and immunity. These functions are intrinsically linked to the growth and immune response of large yellow croaker. Our investigation included a comprehensive analysis of various omics results derived from intestinal content samples, encompassing 16S rRNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics. These analyses were combined with assessments of differences in immune functionalities observed in the liver and head kidney, aiming to understand the interaction between the two Bacillus species, intestinal microorganisms, and host metabolism. Our findings demonstrated several significant outcomes: (1) Supplementation with two Bacillus species induced considerable alterations in the intestinal microbiome, particularly in the suppression of Vibrionaceae among juvenile large yellow croaker. (2) The influence of pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio on intestinal health is not solely associated with their characteristics but also closely linked to their relative abundance in the intestine. (3) Distinct dietary groups further influenced changes in the metabolome profile by impacting the intestinal microbiota structure in juvenile large yellow croaker, thereby influencing various metabolites such as amino acids, terpenes, bile acids, and steroids. (4) Differences in the composition of intestinal microbiota among different feed types significantly affected individual antioxidant functionalities, impacting the morphology and immune capabilities of immune organs like the liver. Exploring intricate host-microbiome interactions using multi-omics approaches can provide a better assessment of probiotics' functional potential. Our results revealed that Lysinibacillus sphaericus enhanced intestinal development, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, and facilitated the growth of large yellow croaker.

Performance, ruminal and fecal microbiome of lambs fed diets supplemented with probiotics.

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of adding two doses of a commercial probiotic on productive performance, ruminal and fecal microbiome in growing lambs. Forty-two Texel or Ile de France crossbred lambs aged 86.9 ± 8.0days (body weight: 27.4 ± 3.7kg) were distributed into three groups: basal diet without probiotic supplementation (CG); basal diet + 1g/animal/day of probiotic (GP1) and basal diet + 5g/animal/day of probiotic (GP5). The experimental period was 84days. The weight was evaluated weekly and dry matter intake (DMI) and leftovers were measured daily. At the end of the experiment, lambs were slaughtered. Feces and rumen fluid were collected for microbiome analysis and rumen fragments for histological evaluation. The use of probiotics did not affect weight gain, but GP1 showed a higher silage and DMI intake than CG (p < 0.001). The CG had a greater thickness of keratinized epithelium and stratum corneum (< 0.001) than GP1 and GP5, and greater total papilla width (p = 0.039) than GP1. There was no difference in the general abundance in the rumen and fecal microbiomes. GP5 had a higher proportion of Azoarcus and Dialister taxa in the rumen fluid (p = 0.012 and p = 0.017, respectively) and higher proportion of Treponema and Fibrobacter taxa in the fecal microbiome (p = 0.015 and p = 0.026, respectively), whereas CG had a higher proportion of Anaeroplasma than the other groups (p = 0.032). These results demonstrated the benefits of probiotics for ruminal epithelium protection and microbial diversity. However, there was no effect on performance parameters.

PSIX-2 Skin microbial compositions differ among dog body sites and are affected by dietary probiotics

Abstract The study aimed to characterize the skin microbiota across four distinct body sites and investigate the impact of dietary probiotics on the skin microbiota of healthy adult dogs. Healthy adult dogs [n = 60; mean age = 6.2 ± 2.8 yr; mean body weight (BW) = 13.1 ± 4.0 kg] were randomly assigned into three treatment groups and fed for 60 d: a control kibble diet (CON; n = 20; 29.0% crude protein, 10.1% crude fat, 9.9% crude fiber, 7.1% ash, as-fed), CON supplemented with Bifidobacterium longum 548 (CON-B; n = 20), or CON supplemented with Bifidobacterium longum 548 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus 451 (CON-B-L; n = 20). All dogs were individually housed in a temperature- and humidity-controlled research facility. Protocols were approved by the facility’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee before the study. On d 60, skin swab samples were collected from the dorsal lumbar area, right axilla, right groin, and right ear concave pinnae of each dog using sterile swabs. These samples were placed into bead tubes and stored at -20°C until analysis. DNA extraction from skin swab samples was followed by sequencing the V4 region of 16S rRNA using Illumina sequencing on a MiSiq. Sequence data were processed through QIIME 2.0, and statistical analysis was performed using R 4.3.1. to test differences between body sites and diets, with a significance threshold set at P &amp;lt; 0.05. The predominant bacterial phyla observed across all body sites were Actinobacteria (40 ± 21.7%), Firmicutes (31.2 ± 17.9 %), Proteobacteria (17.9 ± 13.3%), and Bacteroidetes (6.6 ± 6.1%). Additionally, Acidobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and Verrucomicrobia were exclusive to the groin region. Considering data from all body sites, diets affected relative abundances of phyla and genera in dogs. At phylum level, dogs fed the CON-B diet displayed greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) relative abundance of Actinobacteria compared with those on the CON diet. The CON-B diet also resulted in a greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) relative abundance of Firmicutes than dogs on either the CON or CON-B-L diets. At genus level, dogs on the CON-B diet showed significantly greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) relative abundance of Clostridium, Clostridiaceae unclassified, and Lachnospiraceae unclassified compared with the other diet groups. Dogs on the CON diet displayed a greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) relative abundance of Dietzia compared with those on probiotic-supplemented diets. These findings underscore the variation in skin microbial composition across distinct body sites, contributing valuable data to limited information available on the skin microbiota of dogs. Moreover, consumption of probiotic influenced the skin microbial compositions in dogs, which warrant further studies to elucidate the relationship between probiotics, skin microbiota, and skin health in dogs.

239 Growth performance and gut health indicators of Escherichia coli-challenged weaned pigs fed diets supplemented with Bacillus subtilis or Enterococcus faecium

Abstract A study evaluated the effects of adding B. subtilis or E. faecium based probiotics in diets for weaned pigs challenged with E. coli on growth performance and indicators of gut health. Pigs [n = 64; initial body weight (BW) = 6.95 kg] weaned at 22 d of age were obtained in 2 batches of 32 pigs each. The pigs were from sows that were homozygous susceptible to infection by F4 strain of E. coli. Pigs in each batch were housed in 16 pens in 2 rooms: first room with 4 pens and second room with 12 pens. Pigs were fed 3 diets for 14 d. The diets were control or control plus B. subtilis (1×10E6 CFU/kg) or E. faecium (1×10E6 CFU/kg). On d 7 and 8 of the experiment, all pigs in the second room were orally challenged with F4 strain of E. coli (5 mL with ~109 CFUּ mL-1ּ d-1) to create the following 4 treatments with 4 pensּ traetment-1ּ batch-1) (8 pens/treatment for the study): unchallenged pigs fed control diet, challenged pigs fed control diet, challenged pigs fed control diet plus E. faecium, and challenged pigs fed control diet plus B. subtilis. Challenging pigs with E. coli F4 reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) for d 7 to 11 and d 11 to 14 of the study from 81 to -67 g and 460 to 259 g, respectively; increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) plasma haptoglobin concentration (PHC) on d 9 from 1.10 to 1.69 mg/mL and fecal E. coli F4 content (FEC) on d 11 from 4.92 to 7.86 log copies/g; and decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration in the cecum and colon on d 14 from 89.5 to 52.3 mmol/kg and 88.1 to 63.9 mmol/kg, respectively. The E. faecium supplementation did not affect ADG for d 0 to 7 of the study but increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) ADG for d 7 to 11 by 161%. The E. faecium supplementation did not affect FEC, PHC, and VFA concentration in the cecum and colon. The B. subtilis supplementation did not affect ADG and ADFI, FEC, PHC, but tended to increase (P &amp;lt; 0.10) VFA concentration in the cecum and colon by 32 and 20%, respectively. In conclusion, challenging weaned pigs with the E. coli F4 reduced growth performance and microbial fermentation in the hindgut and increased fecal E. coli shedding. Supplemental E. faecium probiotic improved ADG of weaned pigs after their challenge with E. coli, implying that it can be included in diets for weaned pigs raised under commercial conditions to improve their performance. The B. subtilis probiotic can be included in diets for weaned pigs to counteract the reducing impact of E. coli infection on microbial fermentation in the hindgut.

Evaluation of the synbiotic effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mushroom extract on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, and immune status of zebrafish danio rerio

BackgroundThe quest for candidate probiotics and prebiotics to develop novel synbiotics for sustainable and profitable fish farming remains a major focus for various stakeholders. In this study, we examined the effects of combining two fungal probiotics, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger with extracts of Jerusalem artichoke and white button mushroom to develop a synbiotic formulation to improve the growth and health status of zebrafish (Danio rerio). An initial in vitro study determined the most effective synbiotic combination, which was then tested in a 60-day in vivo nutritional trial using zebrafish (80 ± 1.0 mg) as a model animal. Four experimental diets were prepared: a control diet (basal diet), a prebiotic diet with 100% selected mushroom extract, a probiotic diet with 107 CFU of S. cerevisiae/g of diet, and a synbiotic diet with 107 CFU of S. cerevisiae/g of diet and 100% mushroom extract. As readouts, growth performance, survival, digestive enzyme activity and innate immune responses were evaluated.ResultsIn vitro results showed that the S. cerevisiae cultured in a medium containing 100% mushroom extract exhibited the maximum specific growth rate and shortest doubling time. In the in vivo test with zebrafish, feeding them with a synbiotic diet, developed with S. cerevisiae and mushroom extract, led to a significant improvement in the growth performance of zebrafish (P < 0.05). The group of zebrafish fed with the synbiotic diet showed significantly higher levels of digestive enzyme activity and immune responses compared to the control group (P < 0.05).ConclusionTaken together, these results indicated that the combination of S. cerevisiae and mushroom extract forms an effective synbiotic, capable of enhancing growth performance and immune response in zebrafish.

Effect of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics on survival, growth, and immune response of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is one of the causative agents of vibriosis which causes mortality and significant economic losses in shrimp aquaculture. Application of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics is an environmentally friendly strategy to control vibriosis and limit the use of antibiotics. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic diets on survival, growth and immune response of white shrimp. The experiments consisted of 5 treatments and 5 replications. (K-) Without the addition of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics and no challenge test; (K+) Without the addition of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics and challenge test; (P1) Addition of probiotics and challenge test; (P2) Addition of prebiotics and challenge test; (P3) Addition of synbiotics and challenge test. The parameters measured were SGR, FCR, THC, phagocytosis activity, lysozyme activity and SR. The results showed that SGR and FCR with probiotic (4.70±0.29%; 1.53±0.10) and synbiotic (4.60±0.15%; 1.64±0.14) diets were significantly different than K+ and no significant differences between them. The post-challenge results showed that the survival with probiotic (61.33±8.69%), prebiotic (42.67±7.60%) and synbiotic (57.33±10.11%) diets was significantly different than K+ (21.33±11.93%). No significant differences between probiotic and synbiotic diets on survival. Synbiotic diets showed the best immune response post-challenge test with THC (1.59±0.26x106 cells/mL), phagocytosis activity (42.80±6.91%), and lysozyme activity (0.92±0.11 cm) and significantly different than K+. The study concluded that probiotic or synbiotic diets had the best effect on SGR, FCR and survival of white shrimp post V. parahaemolyticus infection. Meanwhile, synbiotic diets showed the best immune response post V. parahaemolyticus infection.

Implications of the Gut Microbiota for Brain Function and Behavior in Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, cognitive impairments, and emotional dysregulation. This psychiatric illness is often resistant to treatment. This literature review aims to analyze the relationship between this complex psychological disorder and the gut microbiota found within the human body. The brain and gut are interconnected, and emerging research suggests a link between gut dysbiosis and schizophrenia. Gut dysbiosis refers to an imbalance or disruption in the composition and function of the gut microbiome. The studies comparing the gut microbiota of patients with schizophrenia to those without highlight significant differences at the phylum and genus levels, providing evidence of gut microbiome alteration. The lack of diversity of microbiota in schizophrenia patients can be altered and improved to a healthier microbiome by way of dietary intervention. Interventions that target the gut-brain axis, such as dietary probiotics or prebiotics, may help alleviate certain symptoms of schizophrenia and help improve patients' well-being. Understanding the complex interplay between gut microbiome health and schizophrenia may allow for the development of targeted interventions that alter the gut microbiome of patients with schizophrenia and, in turn, mitigate their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Probiotic and high-fat diet: effects on pain assessment, body composition, and cytokines in male and female adolescent and adult rats.

Obesity in adolescence is increasing in frequency and is associated with elevated proinflammatory cytokines and chronic pain in a sex-dependent manner. Dietary probiotics may mitigate these detrimental effects of obesity. Using a Long-Evans adolescent and adult rat model of overweight (high-fat diet (HFD) - 45% kcal from fat from weaning), we determined the effect of a single-strain dietary probiotic [Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v) from weaning] on the theoretically increased neuropathic injury-induced pain phenotype and inflammatory cytokines. We found that although HFD increased fat mass, it did not markedly affect pain phenotype, particularly in adolescence, but there were subtle differences in pain in adult male versus female rats. The combination of HFD and Lp299v augmented the increase in leptin in adolescent females. There were many noninteracting main effects of age, diet, and probiotic on an array of cytokines and adipokines with adults being higher than adolescents, HFD higher than the control diet, and a decrease with probiotic compared with placebo. Of particular interest were the probiotic-induced increases in IL12p70 in female adolescents on an HFD. We conclude that a more striking pain phenotype could require a higher and longer duration caloric diet or a different etiology of pain. A major strength of our study was that a single-strain probiotic had a wide range of inhibiting effects on most proinflammatory cytokines. The positive effect of the probiotic on leptin in female adolescent rats is intriguing and worthy of exploration.NEW & NOTEWORTHY A single-strain probiotic (Lp299v) had a wide range of inhibiting effects on most proinflammatory cytokines (especially IL12p70) measured in this high-fat diet rat model of mild obesity. The positive effect of probiotic on leptin in female adolescent rats is intriguing and worthy of exploration.

Using probiotics to improve nutrient digestibility and gut-health of weaned pigs: a comparison of maternal and nursery supplementation strategies.

Maternal probiotic supplementation has been found to have a positive impact on the gut health of piglets, not only during the lactation period, but also after weaning. Providing probiotics to nursery pigs is also a common strategy for supplementation. The goal of this study was to evaluate which would be the most effective strategy to improve nutrient digestibility, energy metabolism, and intestinal health in weaned pigs considering the maternal or nursery options. A total of 32 newly weaned pigs were randomly split into a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement considering maternal probiotic supplementation (with or without) in gestation-lactation and probiotic supplementation in the nursery period (with or without). After weaning, experimental diets were provided for 22 days. Total fecal and urine collection was performed from day 15 to 21. Blood samples were collected from all pigs on days 3 and 22 of the experiment to assess serum biochemistry and intestinal permeability. All pigs were euthanized on day 22 for intestinal tissue collection. Pigs born from probiotic-fed sows had greater (p < 0.05) total tract digestibility of dry matter (+1%) and gross energy (+1.3%), and greater (p < 0.05) metabolizable energy coefficient (+1.3%), which resulted in a 46 kcal/kg increase (p < 0.05) in the metabolizable energy content of the diet. Nitrogen intake (p = 0.035), uptake (p = 0.007), and retention (p = 0.012) were all increased in these pigs. Fecal moisture was reduced in pigs born from probiotic-fed sows and pigs fed the probiotic diet only in the nursery (p < 0.05). Pigs born from probiotic-fed sows had reduced intestinal permeability by 16% (p < 0.05), whereas pigs fed the probiotic diet in the nursery only tended to improve this response (p < 0.10). The villus:crypt ratio of pigs born from probiotic-fed sows was greater compared to the control (p < 0.05), while serum levels of alanine aminotransferase were lower (p < 0.05). Pigs born from probiotic-fed sows had increased nutrient digestibility and improved gut health. Therefore, it is concluded that supplementing the sow diets with probiotics rather than just providing diets in the nursery phase is an advantageous strategy.

Diet composition influences probiotic and postbiotic effects on broiler growth and physiology

Dietary ingredient and nutrient composition may affect the efficacy of additives in broilers. Specific feed ingredients can represent dietary challenging conditions for broilers, resulting in impaired performances and health, which might be alleviated by dietary probiotics and postbiotics. We assessed the effects of a Lactobacilli probiotic (Pro) and postbiotic (Post) when added to a standard (SD) and challenge (CD) diet. A completely randomized block study with 2 diets (SD, CD) and 3 additive conditions (Control, Pro and Post) involving 1,368 one-day-old Ross male broilers, equally distributed among 36 pens, from d1 to d42 was conducted. Both diets were formulated to contain identical levels of nutrients, with CD formulated to be richer than SD in nonstarch polysaccharides using rye and barley as ingredients. Readout parameters included growth performance parameters, footpad lesions score, blood minerals and biochemical parameters, and tibia health, strength, and composition. Compared to SD, CD decreased BW (1,936 vs. 2,033 g; p = 0.001), increased FCR (p < 0.01) and impaired tibia health and strength (p < 0.05) at d35, thereby confirming the challenging effect of CD. Pro and Post increased BW in CD (+4.7 and +3.2%, respectively, at d35; P < 0.05) but not in the SD group, without affecting FCR. Independently of the diet, Pro increased plasma calcium, phosphorus and uric acid at d21 (+6.2, +7.4, and +15.5%, respectively) and d35 (+6.6, +6.2 and +21.0%, respectively) (P < 0.05) while Post increased plasma magnesium only at d21 (+11.3%; P = 0.037). Blood bile acids were affected by additives in an age- and diet-dependent manner, with some opposite effects between dietary conditions. Diet composition modulated Pro and Post effects on broiler growth performance. Additionally, Pro and Post affected animal metabolism and leg health diet-dependently for some but not all investigated parameters. Our findings show that the effects of pro- and postbiotics on the growth performance and physiology of broilers can be dependent on diet composition and thus possibly other factors affecting diet characteristics.

Slowing Alzheimer's disease progression through probiotic supplementation.

The lack of affordable and effective therapeutics against cognitive impairment has promoted research toward alternative approaches to the treatment of neurodegeneration. In recent years, a bidirectional pathway that allows the gut to communicate with the central nervous system has been recognized as the gut-brain axis. Alterations in the gut microbiota, a dynamic population of trillions of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract, have been implicated in a variety of pathological states, including neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, probiotic treatment as an affordable and accessible adjuvant therapy for the correction of dysbiosis in AD has not been thoroughly explored. Here, we sought to correct the dysbiosis in an AD mouse model with probiotic supplementation, with the intent of exploring its effects on disease progression. Transgenic 3xTg-AD mice were fed a control or a probiotic diet (Lactobacillus plantarum KY1032 and Lactobacillus curvatus HY7601) for 12 weeks, with the latter leading to a significant increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes. Cognitive functions were evaluated via Barnes Maze trials and improvements in memory performance were detected in probiotic-fed AD mice. Neural tissue analysis of the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus of 10-month-old 3xTg-AD mice demonstrated that astrocytic and microglial densities were reduced in AD mice supplemented with a probiotic diet, with changes more pronounced in probiotic-fed female mice. In addition, elevated numbers of neurons in the hippocampus of probiotic-fed 3xTg-AD mice suggested neuroprotection induced by probiotic supplementation. Our results suggest that probiotic supplementation could be effective in delaying or mitigating early stages of neurodegeneration in the 3xTg-AD animal model. It is vital to explore new possibilities for palliative care for neurodegeneration, and probiotic supplementation could provide an inexpensive and easily implemented adjuvant clinical treatment for AD.

New insights into the effect of xylooligosaccharide derived from agricultural waste, single or combined dietary supplementation with mixed probiotics on growth, flesh quality, health condition and disease resistance in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study aimed to study the effects of single or combined dietary supplementation of xylooligosacharides (XOs), prebiotics derived from agricultural waste and mixed probiotics (Bacillus subtilis TISTR 008 and Lactobacillus plantarum TISTR 1854) on growth performance, flesh quality, health condition and disease resistance in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fish received four types of diets: a basal diet (control); XOs (prebiotics); a mixture of Bacillus subtilis TISTR 008 and Lactobacillus plantarum TISTR 1854 (probiotics); and a combination of XOs and a probiotic mixture (synbiotics) for 56 days. The results show that dietary prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics improved growth performance including final body weight, weight gain, average daily gain, and protein efficiency ratio compared to the control diet. Interestingly, the feed conversion ratio was improved by dietary prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics supplementation. Concurrently, innate immunity parameters such as total antioxidant, lysozyme, catalase, and glutathione S transferase were mostly higher in fish fed the prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics diets. Moreover, we observed significant increases in digestive enzyme activities, including protease, amylase, and lipase, in fish fed probiotic diets. After the feeding trial, fish were intraperitoneally injected with Streptococcus agalactiae, and the cumulative 14-day mortality rate was calculated. High survival rates were observed in all groups that received supplementation with prebiotics, probiotics, or synbiotics in their feed. This improvement is correlated with an increase in the transcriptional levels of immune- and growth-related factors. Interestingly, this study highlights the use of prebiotics and synbiotics containing XOs to boost the PUFA n-3 and n-6 content in the fish fillets. Our findings indicate that adding XOs as prebiotics to the diet significantly enhances the overall performance of fish when compared to the effects of probiotics and synbiotics. In summary, XOs may have the potential as organic compounds derived from agricultural waste for specific probiotic and synbiotic products in the aquaculture industry when combined in the right proportions.

Meta-analyses indicate that dietary probiotics significantly improve growth, immune response, and disease resistance in tilapia

Meta-analyses indicate that dietary probiotics significantly improve growth, immune response, and disease resistance in tilapia

Dietary probiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NSMJ56 modulates gut immunity and microbiota in laying hens

This study was performed to investigate supplementary effects of probiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NSMJ56 strain on laying performance, egg quality, intestinal histology, antioxidant status, gut immunity and microbiota in laying hens. A total of ninety-six 21-wk-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly subjected to one of 2 dietary treatments: a control group fed a non-supplemented diet, or a probiotic group fed with a diet supplemented with 1 g of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NSMJ56 (5 × 108 CFU/kg of diet). The trial lasted for 4 wk. Egg weight was increased (P < 0.05) in laying hens fed probiotic-fed diet compared with the control group. Dietary probiotics did not affect egg quality except for Haugh unit, which was improved (P < 0.05) in the probiotic-fed group. Neither jejunal histology nor cecal short-chain fatty acids were affected by dietary treatments. Dietary probiotics increased the activity of catalase compared with the control group. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that dietary probiotics elevated the CD4+ T cells, but not CD8+ T cells, in jejunal lamina propria. Based on the LEfSe analysis at the phylum and genus levels, Erysipelotrichales, Erysipelotrichia, Flintibater, Dielma, Hespellia, Coprobacter, Roseburia, Anaerotignum, and Coprococcus were enriched in the probiotic group compared with the control group. Taken together, our study showed that dietary probiotics could be used to improve some parameters associated with egg freshness and antioxidant capacity, and to partially alter T cell population and microbial community in laying hens.

Dietary Bacillus spp. supplementation to both sow and progenies improved post-weaning growth rate, gut function, and reduce the pro-inflammatory cytokine production in weaners challenged with Escherichia coli K88

BackgroundThe use of probiotics (PRO) in late gestation sow and their impact on progenies’ performance during the post-weaning stage has received more attention from the researchers recently. This study aimed to analyze the effect of probiotic mixture (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis) on both sow and offspring’s performance.MethodsFirst experiment (Exp.1) was conducted from the 100th day of gestation through to post-weaning. A total of twenty sows and their litters were assigned to one of two dietary treatments, Control (CON) based diet and PRO− CON+ 0.05% probiotic mixture. Dietary treatments were arranged in a split-plot pattern with sow and weaner treatment (CON and PRO diet) as the main and sub plot. Exp.2. E. coli challenge study was carried out two weeks after weaning with 40 piglets. Dietary treatments remained same while all pigs were orally administered with a 1.5 ml suspension of 1010 CFU of K88 strain of E. coli per ml.ResultPRO group sow showed significantly decreased backfat thickness difference and body weight difference after farrowing and at the end of weaning d21. The nutrient digestibility of PRO group sows was significantly higher at the end of weaning. Moreover, piglets born from PRO group sow showed higher weaning weight and tend to increase average daily gain at the end of d21. The addition of mixed probiotic in sow and weaner diet had suppressed the production of TNF-α and interleukin-6 in E. coli challenged pigs. The phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in E. coli -challenged pigs were highly abundant while, the relative abundance of clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 at genus level was significantly reduced by the inclusion of probiotic in both the sow and weaner diet. Also, taxonomic distribution analysis showed significantly lower prevalence of Clostridium and Brachyspira and higher prevalence of Lactobacilli in E. coli-challenged pigs that were born from PRO group sow and fed CON and PRO weaner diet.ConclusionThis study reveals that the inclusion of 0.05% mixed probiotics (Bacillus spp.) to both sow and their progenies diet would be more beneficial to enhance the post-weaning growth rate, gut health, and immune status of E. coli challenged pigs.

Impact of Dietary Probiotics on the Immune and Reproductive Physiology of Pubertal Male Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Administered at the Onset of Pre-Puberty.

Fertility in males is dependent on the proper production of sperms involving the synchronization of numerous factors like oxidative stress, inflammatory processes, and hormonal regulation. Inflammation associated with oxidative stress is also known to impair sperm function. Nutritional factors like probiotics and prebiotics have the potential benefits to modulate these factors which may enhance male fertility. In the present study, immature male Japanese quail at the beginning of 3rd week were administered with Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L), Bifidobacterium longum (B), and mannan-oligosaccharides (M) through dietary supplementation in individual groups as well as in combinations like LB and MLB. Markers of oxidative stress including SOD and catalase were examined by native PAGE; inflammatory biomarkers (IL-1β, IL-10, and NFκB), apoptotic markers (caspase 3 and caspase 7), steroidal hormones, and their receptors estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) were assessed in testis. The study reveals that dietary supplementation of 1% L, B, and M in combination significantly and positively increases the overall growth of immature male quail specifically testicular weight and gonadosomatic index (GSI). Furthermore, significant improvement in testicular cell size; increased steroidal hormones like testosterone, FSH, and LH levels; increase in SOD, catalase enzymes; decrease in apoptotic factors Caspase 3, Caspase 7 and immune system strength observed indicated by a decrease in expression of IL-1β, NFκB; and increase of IL-10 in testis when LBM was used in combination. These variations are attributed to the increase in testicular estrogen receptors alpha and beta, facilitated by the neuroendocrine gonadal axis, ultimately leading to improved male fertility. It can be concluded that the dietary supplementation in combination with L, B, and M enhances male fertility in immature quail by increased expression of estrogen receptors via gut microbiota modulation. It also sheds light on the potential use of these nutritional factors in avian species as therapeutic interventions to overcome low fertility problems in quail thereby benefitting the poultry industry.

Effects of the putative probiotics Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus pumilus, and Bacillus subtilis on white leg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, immune response, gut histology, water quality, and growth performance.

A commercially significant species in the aquaculture sector globally, particularly in Egypt, is Litopenaeus vannamei. The experiment's objective was to ascertain how Sanolife PRO-F impacted the growth, water quality, immunological response, and intestinal morphometry of L. vannamei. In the current investigation, which lasted 12 weeks, Sanolife PRO-F was administered to shrimp post-larvae at diet doses of 0 (control), 1 (group one), 2 (group two), and 3 (group three) g/kg diet, respectively. Each experimental group had three repetitions. In the current study, shrimp fed on probiotic-treated diets showed a considerable improvement in growth performance measures and survival rate, and the nonspecific immune response was also enhanced. Shrimp fed probiotic diets had longer and more intestinal villi overall. Shrimp fed on the G2 and G3 diets showed no appreciable differences in growth or intestinal morphology. With the G2 and G3 diet, the water had lower concentrations of nitrite and ammonia. The study's findings indicate that Sanolife PRO-F treatment at 2-3 g/kg feed promotes the growth of shrimp, immunological response, gut health and function, and water quality.

The synergistic Lactobacillus plantarum L20 and Sargassum polycystum -added diet for improvement of Black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon ‘s growth, immune responses, bacterial profiles, and resistance against Vibrio parahaemolyticus associated Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) infection

Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) has inflicted massive economic losses and posed a considerable threat to the development of penaeid shrimp aquaculture in Malaysia. The restriction on antibiotic uses have necessitated exploring alternatives preventive measures against AHPND outbreak, such as the use beneficial bacteria and nutritional additives. In this study, diets which were fed to Penaeus monodon postlarvae (PL15) were fed with diets containing probiotic (L. plantarum at 108 CFU/mL), prebiotic (S. polycystum at 2%) and synbiotic diets (combination of probiotic and prebiotic) formulations. These diets were administered in triplicate for 35 days, followed by an immersion challenge with 6 × 105 CFU/mL AHPND-causing V. parahaemolyticus S2–4. Sampling of shrimp’s cephalothorax and abdomen from the feeding trial and the immersion challenge were conducted for gene expression and histopathology analyses. Results indicated that the synbiotic-fed group displayed the most significant weight gain, specific growth rate, and protein conversion ratio among the tested groups. In addition, shrimp cephalothorax from this group displayed a significant immune response, with expression of LGBP, peroxinectin, prophenoloxidase during post-feeding trial, and expression of prophenoloxidase, toll-like receptor, penaeidin, during post-challenge trial. Furthermore, the highest L. plantarum concentration in abdomen, lowest V. parahaemolyticus S2–4 concentration in cephalothorax and highest percent survival of shrimp during post-challenge were observed in this group. Therefore, this study highlighted the positive effect of synbiotic-supplemented diet on growth, immune response, and disease resistance of shrimp, offering a promising and sustainable solution to alleviate substantial production losses in shrimp farming.

Probiotic Supplement Enhances the Hematological Parameters and Immune Response of Common Carp against Fish Pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila

Probiotic bacteria play an important role in the growth and health of aquatic animals by improving their immune system. A 60-day experiment study was carried out to evaluate the effect of probiotic bacteria Bacillus subtilis dietary supplement enhances the hematological parameters and Immune response of fish Common carp against the pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila. The experimental fish with an average mean weight of 15.15 ± 1.05 g were distributed randomly into 3 groups (Control (CTRL (Basal feed and without A. hydrophila), Exp1 (Basal feed and with A. hydrophila, and Exp2 (108 CFU/ml with probiotic supplement with A. hydrophila). On the 56th day, experimental groups were then challenged with A. hydrophila (1.0 × 107 CFU/mL), after 72 hrs of infection, blood samples were collected randomly from five fish from each group. Results showed that probiotic supplementation improved Hematological parameters such as RBCs, WBCs, Hb, PCV, and Immune response parameters (Nitroblue Tetrazolium Activity, aminotransferase, Serum lysozyme activity, total protein, and immunoglobulin). This present study suggests that the probiotic diet enhances the disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in the culture of Common carp.