scholarly journals Galacto-oligosaccharides modulate the juvenile gut microbiome and innate immunity to improve broiler chicken performance

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J. Richards ◽  
Geraldine M. Flaujac Lafontaine ◽  
Phillippa L. Connerton ◽  
Lu Liang ◽  
Karishma Asiani ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTImprovements in growth performance and health are key goals in broiler chicken production. Inclusion of prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides in broiler feed enhanced the growth rate and feed conversion of chickens relative to a calorie-matched control diet. Comparison of the cecal microbiota identified key differences in abundance ofLactobacillusspp. Increased levels ofL. johnsoniiin GOS-fed juvenile birds at the expense ofL. crispatuswas linked to improved performance (growth rate and market weight). Investigation of the innate immune responses highlighted increases of ileal and cecal IL-17A gene expression counterposed to a decrease in IL-10 and IL-17F. Quantification of the autochthonousLactobacillusssp. revealed a correlation between bird performance andL. johnsoniiabundance. Shifts in the cecal populations of keyLactobacillusspp. of juvenile birds primed intestinal innate immunity without harmful pathogen challenge.IMPORTANCEImprovements in the growth rate of broiler chickens can be achieved through dietary manipulation of the naturally occurring bacterial populations whilst mitigating the withdrawal of antibiotic growth promoters. Prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are manufactured as a by-product of dairy cheese production, which can be incorporated in the diets of juvenile chickens to improve their health and performance. This study investigates the key mechanisms behind this progression and pin pointsL. johnsoniias a key species that facilitates the enhancements in growth rate and gut health. It also relates the role of the innate immune system in the response to the GOS diet.

mSystems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J. Richards ◽  
Geraldine M. Flaujac Lafontaine ◽  
Phillippa L. Connerton ◽  
Lu Liang ◽  
Karishma Asiani ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Improvements in growth performance and health are key goals in broiler chicken production. Inclusion of prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) in broiler feed enhanced the growth rate and feed conversion of chickens relative to those obtained with a calorie-matched control diet. Comparison of the cecal microbiota identified key differences in abundances of Lactobacillus spp. Increased levels of Lactobacillus johnsonii in GOS-fed juvenile birds at the expense of Lactobacillus crispatus were linked to improved performance (growth rate and market weight). Investigation of the innate immune responses highlighted increases of ileal and cecal interleukin-17A (IL-17A) gene expression counterposed to a decrease in IL-10. Quantification of the autochthonous Lactobacillus spp. revealed a correlation between bird performance and L. johnsonii abundance. Shifts in the cecal populations of key Lactobacillus spp. of juvenile birds primed intestinal innate immunity without harmful pathogen challenge. IMPORTANCE Improvements in the growth rate of broiler chickens can be achieved through dietary manipulation of the naturally occurring bacterial populations while mitigating the withdrawal of antibiotic growth promoters. Prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are manufactured as a by-product of dairy cheese production and can be incorporated into the diets of juvenile chickens to improve their health and performance. This study investigated the key mechanisms behind this progression and pinpointed L. johnsonii as a key species that facilitates the enhancements in growth rate and gut health. The study identified the relationships between the GOS diet, L. johnsonii intestinal populations, and cytokine immune effectors to improve growth.


2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 161-170
Author(s):  
B. C. Anyaegbu ◽  
D. N. Onunkwo ◽  
G. Igwe ◽  
J. Nathaniel ◽  
C. M. Nkwo

This study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance and carcass characteristics of finisher broiler chickens fed diet containing cooked cocoyam tubermeal as energy source in place of maize. The proximate composition of cooked cocoyam tubermeal showed that it contained 13.11% moisture, 2.60% ash, 3.90% crude protein, 9.45% crude fiber, 1.85% ether extract and 70.13% NFE. In the finisher feeding trial, the cooked cocoyam tubermeal was used to replace maize at levels of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% respectively in the control diet. Each finisher diet was fed to a group of 30 finisher broiler chicken for 4 weeks using completely randomized design. Each treatment was divided into 3 replicates of 10 broiler chicks each. The birds were kept on deep litter and were given feed and water ad-libitum. Parameters measured include ifinal body weight, body weight gain feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass characteristics and economics of production. In the finisher feeding trial, the feed intake of the finisher broilers on diets 2, 3 and 4 were similar and compared favourably with those on the control diet. The finisher group on 100% CCYM (diet 5) recorded the lowest feed intake possibly because of the dustiness of the feed. The body weight gain of the finisher broilers on diet 2 (25%) cooked cocoyam tubermeal compared favourably with the control group and was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those on other diets. It appeared that the finisher broilers could not tolerate high levels of cooked cocoyam meal due to dustiness of the feed and its anti-nutritional factors. The cost of production per kg finisher broilers was cheapest for diet 5(100% CCYM) (N356.72) and the costliest was for diet 3(50% CCYM) (N588.28). The internal organs expressed as percent of the live weight were not affected by the treatments. In terms of carcass characteristics, the finisher broilers on diet 2(25% CCYM) recorded the highest breast muscle which was significantly different (P<0.05) from other groups. There were no significant different (P>0.05) on percent back cut, drumstick, head, shank, thigh, neck and wings of the finisher broilers on all the treatments. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in percent dressed weight of the finisher broilers on cooked cocoyam based diets. The results of the trial have shown that cooking cocoyam corms (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) for 30 minutes was effective for reducing the cyanide oxalate, tannin, phytic acid and saponin content and that cooking did not affect the proximate composition of tannia. Cooked cocoyam tubermeal could be used to replace maize up to 25% in the diet of finisher broiler chicken without affecting body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio as indicated in this study.


2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-285
Author(s):  
Aderibigbe Abosede ◽  
Opowoye Omolola ◽  
Atteh Olutimehin ◽  
Okukpe Matthias

The recent development of antibiotics-resistant pathogens in poultry, which poses a threat to human health, has necessitated the search for an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) to improve the gut microflora in poultry diets. One of the alternatives to AGPs is probiotics which are beneficial organisms. The by-products of the digestion of polysaccharides for which poultry do not have enzymes to digest are called prebiotics. Prebiotics serve as food for probiotics. The application of enzymes makes this digestion possible. The prebiotic potentials of enzyme supplemented high fibre feedstuffs (HFFs) are not known. This study was conducted to assess the prebiotic potential of xylanase enzyme supplemented wheat offal on broiler chickens (in-vivo). The replacement of maize with wheat offal irrespective of levels supplemented with 100ppm xylanase enzyme caused a reduction in feed intake and an increase in weight gain and better feed conversion ratio. Birds fed diet with 20% wheat offal supplemented with a xylanase enzyme outperformed birds fed diets with 10 or 30% wheat offal supplemented with a xylanase enzyme and birds fed the control diet. The birds had normal weights of vital organs with good structural consistency. The identification of microbes (fungi and bacteria) showed that dietary levels of wheat offal (10, 20 or 30% inclusion) with supplementation of a xylanase enzyme enhanced the growth of beneficial microbes, which resulted in the inhibition or elimination of the opportunistic/pathogenic microbes. It was concluded that enzyme supplementation of high fibre feedstuffs could improve the growth performance, nutrient retention and increase concentration of beneficial microbes in the guts. The use of enzymes is therefore recommended when HFFs are required as a prebiotic source in the guts of broilers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inkyung Park ◽  
Doyun Goo ◽  
Hyoyoun Nam ◽  
Samiru S. Wickramasuriya ◽  
Kichoon Lee ◽  
...  

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of maltol as a postbiotic on innate immunity, gut health, and enteric infection. In the first study, an in vitro culture system was used to evaluate the effects of maltol on the innate immune response of chicken macrophage cells (CMC), gut integrity of chicken intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), anti-parasitic activity against Eimeria maxima, and differentiation of quail muscle cells (QMC) and primary chicken embryonic muscle cells (PMC). All cells seeded in the 24-well plates were treated with maltol at concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 μg. CMC and IEC were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide to induce an innate immune response, and QMC and PMC were treated with 0.5 and 2% fetal bovine serum, respectively. After 18 h of incubation, pro-inflammatory cytokines, tight junction proteins (TJPs), and muscle cell growth markers were measured. In the second study, the dietary effect of maltol was evaluated on disease parameters in broiler chickens infected with E. maxima. Eighty male 1-day-old broiler chickens were allocated into the following four treatment groups: (1) Control group without infection, (2) Basal diet with E. maxima, (3) High maltol (HI; 10.0 mg /kg feed) with E. maxima, and (4) Low maltol (LO; 1.0 mg/kg feed) with E. maxima. Body weights (BW) were measured on days 0, 7, 14, 20, and 22. All chickens except the CON group were orally infected with 104E. maxima per chicken on day 14. Jejunum samples were collected for gut lesion scoring, and the gene expression of cytokines and TJPs. Data was analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS. In vitro, maltol not only increased TJPs in IEC and cytokines in the LPS-stimulated CMC but also showed direct cytotoxicity against sporozoites of E. maxima. In vivo, the HI group improved the BW, reduced the gut lesion scores and fecal oocyst shedding, and decreased jejunal TNFSF15 and IL-1β expression in E. maxima-infected chickens. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the beneficial effects of dietary maltol in the enhancement of growth performance, gut health, and coccidiosis resistance and the applicability of maltol as a postbiotic for the replacement of antibiotic growth promoters in commercial poultry production.


1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 537-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. A. Igbasan ◽  
W. Guenter ◽  
B. A. Slominski

A total of 192 3-d-old male broiler chickens (Arbor Acres) were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments with eight replicates of four birds each per treatment. The treatments consisted of five levels (0, 50, 75, 100 and 125 U kg−1) of pectinase enzyme and a combination of pectinase (50 U kg−1) and α-galactosidase (6250 U kg−1) enzymes. The performance trial lasted for 2 wk. At the end of 2 wk, excreta were collected on three diets to determine nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn). Growth rate, feed intake and feed conversion of birds fed pea diets supplemented with graded levels of pectinase enzyme were not different from their counterparts fed a diet without pectinase supplementation; however, growth rate tended to be improved (P = 0.11). Also, the AMEn values of these diets were not affected. Compared with the control diet, addition of a combination of pectinase and α-galactosidase tended to improve growth rate (P = 0.06). Key words: Peas, pectinase, α -galactosidase, broiler chicken


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olugbenga David Oloruntola

Abstract This study looked at the effects of processed kola nut husks meal (PKHM) utilization as a feed ingredient on broiler chicken in a 42-day feeding trial. Kola nut pod husks were processed into a PKHM using ash treatment and rumen liquor fermentation. Three experimental diets were developed at both the starter and finisher phases, with PKHM included at 0, 4, and 8%, and dubbed diets 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In a fully randomised design, 240 Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three treatments (10 birds per replicate). Except for the significantly improved (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio of broiler chickens fed diets 2 and 3 at the grower phase (22-42 days) and overall (0-42 days), the performance indices were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by PKHM dietary inclusion. Broiler chicken carcass characteristics and relative internal organ weights remained constant (P>0.05) through diets. The serum glutathione concentration in broiler chickens fed an 8 percent PKHM inclusive diet increased significantly (P<0.05) than those on the control diet and 4 percent PKHM inclusive diet. When broiler chickens fed an 8 percent PKHM inclusive diet were compared to those fed a control diet, the serum catalase concentration was significantly higher (P<0.05). The total serum protein, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transferase, and cholesterol levels remained constant (P>0.05) regardless of dietary treatment. Dietary PKHM inclusion of up to 8% enhanced improved feed efficiency and increased antioxidant enzyme concentration and did not affect the serum biochemical indices concentration.Statement of NoveltyKola nut husk is one of the agro-wastes that contributes to environmental deterioration due to its underutilization. The kola nut husk is underutilised in broiler production due to its chemical constitution, minimal nutritional value, and poor digestion. In this research, kola nut husk meal was ash treated and rumen liquor fermented before being integrated at varying levels in the experimental diets and the performance characteristics, antioxidant status, serum protein, enzymes and biochemical were evaluated. The findings of this study could aid in the development of an agro-waste-based, low-cost functional feed for broiler chicks that incorporates the underutilised kola nut husk and other abundant agrowastes as macro-ingredients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-68
Author(s):  
AM Akanji ◽  
OE Fasina ◽  
AM Ogungbesan

A study was carried out to look at the utilization of cowpea based diets on performance characteristics and haematology of broiler chickens.  Raw cowpea, dehulled cowpea, dehulled cooked cowpea and dehulled roasted cowpea grains were fed to broiler chickens in an eight week feeding trial. A total of two hundred (200) day old unsexed broiler chicks of Marshall strain were allotted into five dietary treatments.?Feed intake and growth were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in birds fed raw cowpea and dehulled cowpea respectively. The feed conversion efficiency (FCE) and protein efficiency ratio (PER)  also followed a similar pattern. Non significant (P > 0.05) differences were however obtained in weight gain, FCE and PER of birds fed control diet and those fed dehulled cooked cowpea in this study. Birds fed dehulled roasted cowpea also had marginal reductions in weight gain, FCE and PER when compared to those fed dehulled cooked cowpea based diet. The haematological studies showed lower (P < 0.05) values of haemoglobin, red blood cells, packed cell volume and white blood cells of birds fed raw cowpea and dehulled cowpea respectively. The best significant indices in this study were however obtained in birds fed dehulled cooked cowpea.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2016. 45 (1): 62-68


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qidong Zhu ◽  
Peng Sun ◽  
Bingkun Zhang ◽  
LingLian Kong ◽  
Chuanpi Xiao ◽  
...  

The perturbation of gut health is a common yet unresolved problem in broiler chicken production. Antibiotics used as growth promoters have remarkably improved the broiler production industry with high feed conversion efficiency and reduced intestinal problems. However, the misuse of antibiotics has also led to the increase in the development of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic residues in the meat. Many countries have enacted laws prohibiting the use of antibiotics in livestock production because of the increasing concerns from the consumers and the public. Consequently, one of the most significant discussions in the poultry industry is currently antibiotic-free livestock production. However, the biggest challenge in animal husbandry globally is the complete removal of antibiotics. The necessity to venture into antibiotic-free production has led researchers to look for alternatives to antibiotics in broiler chicken production. Many strategies can be used to replace the use of antibiotics in broiler farming. In recent years, many studies have been conducted to identify functional feed additives with similar beneficial effects as antibiotic growth promoters. Attention has been focused on prebiotics, probiotics, organic acids, emulsifiers, enzymes, essential oils, tributyrin, and medium-chain fatty acids. In this review, we focused on recent discoveries on gut health maintenance through the use of these functional feed additives as alternatives to antibiotics in the past 10 years to provide novel insights into the design of antibiotic-free feeds.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-99
Author(s):  
W. A. Olayemi ◽  
L. A. Rabiu ◽  
A. O. Akapo ◽  
O. A. Oso ◽  
T. Ogunleye

Consumer concern for drug residues in meat and eggs as well as ban imposed on the use of antibiotics in animal feed as growth promoter call for alternative search. A 56days feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of ginger inclusion with and without yeast supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics, gut micro flora of broiler chickens. A total of One hundred and eighty day, one old Arbor acre broiler chicks wereallotted on weight equalization basis to 6 dietary treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangements (3 levels of ginger (0%, 4% and 5%) with and without yeast (0%, 1% levels). The treatments were replicated thrice with ten birds per replicate. Feed and water were provided ad- libtum. Performance showed that birds on combination (5% ginger and 1% yeast) recorded highest weight (1527g) with better feed conversion while least weight (1202g) and least feed conversion were recorded with birds on ginger only. Highest eviscerated weight (1362.50g) and dressing percentage (72.79%) were recorded in broiler chicks on 1%Yeast + 5% Ginger while least values (1087.50g, 62.39%) were recorded with birds on yeast only. Total bacteria count increased from 1.20 x106cfu/ml (control) to 1.70 x106cfu/ml in diets supplemented 1% yeast and 5% ginger as well as Lactobacillus count increased with supplementation level Total anaerobic count decreased from1.10 x106cfu/ml in control diet to 0.68 x106cfu/ml in birds fed1% yeast and 5% ginger likewise coliform, clostridium and bacillus counts decreased with the additives (yeast and ginger) inclusion. It can be concluded that inclusion of ginger and yeast at 5% and 1% respectively in the diets improved performance and reduced pathogenic biota without detrimental effects in broiler chickens and might therefore serve as a natural substitute for synthetic growth promoters.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 74-79
Author(s):  
Ahmed Elbaz ◽  
Said El-sheikh

Objective: To investigate the effect of antibiotics and/or probiotics on broiler performance, some serum metabolites, cecum microflora composition, and ileum histomorphology under the Egyptian conditions. Design: Randomized controlled experimental study. Animals: Two hundred forty 1-day-old Ross (308) chicks were reared till 35 days of age. Procedures: The birds were randomly allocated into four main groups: a control diet without additives (CON); probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus) supplemented diet (PRO); antibiotic (Avilamycin) supplemented diet (ANT) and a mix group (AP) that received antibiotic in the diet form 1 to 4 days of age and treated during the rest of the experimental period with probiotics. Results: Chickens fed on probiotic or antibiotic diets had linear improvement in live body weight (LBW) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with the control group, while the best LBW and FCR were in the AP group. An improvement in the nutrient digestibility was observed in the probiotic added groups (PRO and AP). Serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol contents decreased when antimicrobial (probiotic or antibiotic) supplementations were used, while there was an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol contents, serum total protein, and albumin levels. Among all groups, cecum Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli counts decreased; however, there was an increase in Lactobacillus count compared to the control group. In probiotic supplemented groups (PRO and AP), a significant (P<0.05) improvement in ilea architecture. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Using probiotic after initial treatment with an antibiotic in broiler diets had a positive effect on broiler growth performance, gut health (improved cecum microbial populations and ileum histomorphology), and nutrient digestibility.


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