scholarly journals Effects of Bacillus subtilis on growth performance, serum parameters, digestive enzyme, intestinal morphology, and colonic microbiota in piglets

AMB Express ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Deng ◽  
Jie Wu ◽  
Xiaohui Li ◽  
Cheng Zhang ◽  
Xiaoming Men ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Digestive Enzyme ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Serum Parameters ◽  
Colonic Microbiota ◽  
Diet Supplementation

AbstractThe present study was conducted to investigate effects of Bacillus subtilis on growth performance, serum parameters, digestive enzymes, intestinal morphology, and colonic microbiota in piglets. A total of 72 piglets were weighed and randomly allotted into three treatments (four replication pens per treatment with six piglets/pen) for a 28-day experiment. The dietary treatments were as follows: basal diet (control group, CTR), basal diet supplementation with antibiotic (antibiotic group, ABT), and basal diet supplementation with 0.1% Bacillus subtilis (probiotic group, PBT). The average daily gain of body weight increased in both the ABT and PBT groups, and dietary antibiotics decreased the feed:gain ratio (F:G), as compared to the CTR group (P < 0.05). Both ABT and PBT piglets had increased serum triglycerides and lipase, amylase, maltase activities and villus height:crypt depth ratio (V/C) in ileum (P < 0.05). The PBT group also showed an increase in serum glucose and villus height in the ileum (P < 0.05). Dietary antibiotics increased Lactobacillus johnsonii, as compared to the CTR group, but decreased bacterial diversity and increased Escherichia coli, as compared to the PBT group (P < 0.05). Piglets dietary with B. subtilis modulated the microbiota by increasing the abundance of Firmicutes (L. johnsonii, L. reuteri) and decreasing the abundance of E. coli, as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). These results indicate that dietary of B. subtilis improves growth performance and intestinal health and can be a promising alternative to antibiotics in piglets diet.

scholarly journals Dietary Supplementation With Bacillus subtilis Promotes Growth and Gut Health of Weaned Piglets

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhilong Tian ◽  
Xiaodan Wang ◽  
Yehui Duan ◽  
Yue Zhao ◽  
Wenming Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Group A

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with different types of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) on the growth and gut health of weaned piglets. A total of 160 piglets were randomly assigned into four groups: control group (a basal diet), BS-A group (a basal diet supplemented with B. subtilis A at 1 × 106 CFU/g feed), BS-B group (a basal diet supplemented with B. subtilis B at 1 × 106 CFU/g feed), and BS-C group (a basal diet supplemented with B. subtilis C at 1 × 106 CFU/g feed). All groups had five replicates with eight piglets per replicate. On days 7, 21, and 42 of the trial, blood plasma and intestinal tissues and digesta samples were collected to determine plasma cytokine concentrations, intestinal morphology, gut microbiota community and metabolic activity, and the expression of genes related to gut physiology and metabolism. The results showed that dietary B. subtilis supplementation improved (P &lt; 0.05) the body weight and average daily gain (in BS-B and BS-C groups) of weaned piglets and decreased (P &lt; 0.05) the diarrhea rates (in BS-A, BS-B, and BS-C groups). In the intestinal morphology analysis, B. subtilis supplementation improved (P &lt; 0.05) the size of villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the ileum of weaned piglets. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Tenericutes were the most dominant microflora in piglets' colon whatever the trial group and time of analysis. Dietary BS-C supplementation increased (P &lt; 0.05) the relative abundances of Anaerovibrio and Bulleidia and decreased (P &lt; 0.05) the relative abundances of Clostridium and Coprococcus compared with the control group. In addition, dietary B. subtilis supplementation increased (P &lt; 0.05) the indicators of intestinal health, including plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-10, as well as the colonic levels of short-chain fatty acids. Furthermore, dietary B. subtilis supplementation also up-regulated (P &lt; 0.05) the expression of genes involved in metabolic pathways related to intestinal microbiota maturation. In conclusion, these findings suggest that a diet containing BS-B or BS-C can efficiently promote growth performance, decrease diarrhea incidence, and ameliorate several indicators of intestinal health through the modulation of gut microbiota composition and metabolic activity in weaned piglets.

scholarly journals PSVI-40 Effects of dietary glucan on intestinal morphology, immunity response, barrier function and antioxidant capacity in weaning pigs

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 212-213
Author(s):  
xia xiong ◽  
Lvliang Wu ◽  
Yirui Shao ◽  
Jian zou ◽  
Yulong Yin
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Weaning Piglets

Abstract Glucan has been studied as a potential alternative to antibiotics for animals in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary glucan on growth performance and gut health of weaning piglets, which is a water-soluble extracellular ꞵ-glucan produced by Agrobacterium sp. ZX09. A total of 108 weaned piglets (21 d of age; 6.05 ± 0.36 kg) were randomly assigned (6 pens/diet; 18 piglets/pen) to 3 dietary treatments consisting of a basal diet (control group) or the basal diet supplemented with 20 ppm olaquindox or 200 ppm glucan for 14 days, respectively. The results showed that piglets fed with glucan had greater (P &lt; 0.05) body weight and average daily gain than piglets in control group. Piglets fed with glucan or antibiotic had greater villus height to crypt depth ratio on duodenum compared with control group (P &lt; 0.05). The mRNA expression of Claudin-1 on duodenum or ileum was higher (P &lt; 0.05) in glucan group than that on the other groups. The mRNA expression of TLR4, MYD88 and NFκB on jejunum were lower (P &lt; 0.05) in glucan or antibiotic group than those in control group. Dietary supplementation with glucan tended to increase the IL-10 and SIgA concentration on ileum (0.05 &lt; P &lt; 0.1). Dietary supplementation with glucan tended to increase the total antioxidant capacity on jejunum (P = 0.093). In conclusion, 200 ppm glucan or 20 ppm olaquindox can improve the growth performance of weaning piglets. The glucan may can accelerate the growth of weaned piglets by improving gut health. This research will provide guidance for the olaquindox alternative on growing piglets.

scholarly journals Supplemental Bacillus subtilis PB6 Improves Growth Performance and Gut Health in Broilers Challenged with Clostridium perfringens

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yan Liu ◽  
Song Zhang ◽  
Zheng Luo ◽  
Dan Liu
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Clostridium Perfringens ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Necrotic Enteritis ◽  
Dosage Group ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
High Dosage Group

Clostridium perfringens (CP) is the principal pathogenic bacterium of chicken necrotic enteritis (NE), which causes substantial economic losses in poultry worldwide. Although probiotics are known to provide multiple benefits, little is known about the potential effects of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) application in preventing CP-induced necrotic enteritis. In this study, 450 male Arbor Acres broilers were divided into 5 experimental treatments: A: basal diet (control group); B: basal diet and CP challenge (model group); C: CP challenge+10 mg/kg enramycin (positive control group); D: CP challenge+ 4 × 10 7   CFU / kg of feed B. subtilis PB6 (PB6 low-dosage group); and E: CP challenge+ 6 × 10 7   CFU / kg of feed B. subtilis PB6 (PB6 high-dosage group). There were 6 replicate pens per treatment with 15 broilers per pen. The present research examined the effect of Bacillus subtilis PB6 (B. subtilis PB6) on growth performance, mRNA expression of intestinal cytokines and tight junctions, and gut flora composition in broilers challenged with CP. The entire experiment was divided into two phases: the non-CP challenge phase (d0–18) and the CP challenge phase (d18–26). PB6 did not increase the growth performance during the first stage, but the PB6 high-dosage group was found to have larger body weight gain and ADFI during the CP challenge stage. Feed supplementation with PB6 reduced the lesion score of challenged chicks, with increased tight junction-related gene expression (occludin and ZO-1) and decreased TNF-α expression compared with CP-infected birds. A decrease in the abundance of Clostridium XI, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus was observed after CP infection ( P < 0.05 ), while supplementation with PB6 restored the ileal microbial composition. In conclusion, administration of B. subtilis PB6 improved growth performance, enhanced intestinal barrier function, and mitigated intestinal inflammation/lesions, which might be due to its restoring effects on the ileal microbial composition in CP-challenged broilers.

scholarly journals Effect of oral spray with Lactobacillus on growth performance, intestinal development and microflora population of ducklings

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 456-464
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Yuchen Jie ◽  
Chuli Zhou ◽  
Leyun Wang ◽  
Liang Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Morphological Structure ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intestinal Development ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
E Coli

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of oral spray with probiotics on the intestinal development and microflora colonization of hatched ducklings.Methods: In Exp. 1, an one-way factorial design was used to study the antibacterial activity of the probiotics and metabolites on Escherichia coli (E. coli) without antimicrobial resistance. There were four experimental groups including saline as control and Lactobacillus, Bacillus subtilis, combined Lactobacillus and Bacillus subtilis groups. In Exp. 2, 64-day-old ducklings were allotted to 2 treatments with 4 replicated pens. Birds in the control group were fed a basal diet supplemented with Lactobacillus fermentation in the feed whereas birds in the oral spray group were fed the basal diet and administrated Lactobacillus fermentation by oral spray way during the first week.Results: In Exp. 1, the antibacterial activities of probiotics and metabolites on E. coli were determined by the diameter of inhibition zone in order: Lactobacillus>combined Lactobacillusand Bacillus subtilis>Bacillus subtilis. Additionally, compared to E. coli without resistance, E. coli with resistance showed a smaller diameter of inhibition zones. In Exp. 2, compared to control feeding group, oral spray group increased (p<0.05) the final body weight at d 21 and average daily gain for d 1-21 and the absolute weight of the jejunum, ileum and total intestine tract as well as cecum Lactobacillus amount at d 21.Conclusion: Lactobacillus exhibited a lower antibacterial activity on E. coli with resistance than E. coli without resistance. Oral spray with Lactobacillus fermentation during the first week of could improve the intestinal development, morphological structure, and microbial balance to promote growth performance of ducklings from hatch to 21 d of age.

scholarly journals Effects of Dietary Bacillus and Non-starch Polysaccharase on the Intestinal Microbiota and the Associated Changes on the Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, and Serum Antioxidant Profiles in Ducks

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simin Peng ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
Yuyu Wang ◽  
Tuo Lv ◽  
Haohan Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Enzyme Preparations ◽  
Group I ◽  
Similar Body

Given the desirable results of using probiotics and enzyme preparations as feed supplements in poultry health, here, the effects of Bacillus and Non-starch Polysaccharase (NSPase) on the growth performance, serum antioxidant profiles, and gut microbial communities of early stage ducks is investigated. A total of 400 Zhijiang ducks (of similar body weight and 1 day age) was selected and randomly divided into four groups. The feeding period was 28 days. Each group contained 10 replicates of 10 birds. Control group (I) was fed with basal diet, while treatment groups II to IV were fed, respectively, with 150 mg/kg NSPases, 25 mg/kg Bacillus probiotics, and 150 mg/kg NSPases + 25 mg/kg Bacillus probiotics in their basal diet. The results demonstrated that dietary Bacillus (25 mg/kg) increased average final weight, average daily gain (ADG), and decreased the malonaldehyde (MDA) in birds (P &lt; 0.05). Dietary Bacillus (25 mg/kg) and NSPases + Bacillus (150 mg/kg + 25 mg/kg) presented much higher glutathione (GSH) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in birds (P &lt; 0.05). Additionally, as revealed by β-diversity indices and analysis of similarities, dietary NSPases + Bacillus could affect the ileum microbial abundances and diversities at the genera level (P &lt; 0.05), but it had no effect on the caecal microbiota. Also, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that dietary Bacillus and NSPases + Bacillus increased the populations of Ruminococcaceae genera in the cecum (P &lt; 0.05), and S24-7_group and Lactobacillus genera in the ileum (P &lt; 0.05). However, dietary NSPases and Bacillus alone and in combination could significantly decrease the content of Bacteroides in the ileum (P &lt; 0.05). According to Spearman correlation analysis, 7 ilea bacterial microbiomes (S24-7 group, Lactobacillus, Subgroup 2, Subgroup 1, Kitasatospora, Candidatus Solibacter, and Akkermansia) were positively correlated with SOD (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, Bacillus (25 mg/kg) and NSPases (150 mg/kg) included in the diet could efficiently enhance the growth performance by altered gut microbiota composition at the genera level and antioxidant indices of ducks.

scholarly journals Effects of Plotytarya strohilacea Sieb. et Zuce Tannin on the Growth Performance, Oxidation Resistance, Intestinal Morphology and Cecal Microbial Composition of Broilers

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenkai Tong ◽  
Fuhong Lei ◽  
Lixuan Liu ◽  
Fei Wang ◽  
Aiwei Guo
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Antioxidant Function ◽  
Total Antioxidant ◽  
Quadratic Relationship ◽  
Addition Amount

The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of Plotytarya strohilacea Sieb. et Zuce tannin on broilers growth performance, antioxidant function, intestinal development, intestinal morphology and the cecal microbial composition. In this experiment, a total of 360 1-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups, with 6 replicates in each group and 15 broilers in each replicate. The control group (Control) was fed the basal diet, and the broilers were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (Control), 100 (PT1), 400 (PT2), and 800 (PT3) mg/kg Plotytarya strohilacea Sieb. et Zuce tannins for 42 days, respectively. The results showed that the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of the PT1 group was significantly lower than that of the control group, and there was a significant quadratic relationship between the ADFI and the concentration of tannin (P &lt; 0.05). Compared with the control group, the F/G of broilers during the 22–42 days phase in the PT1 group showed a decreasing trend (P = 0.063). The serum catalase (CAT) activity in the PT1 group was significantly higher than those of the other three groups, and the effect was significantly quadratically related to the dosage (P &lt; 0.05). The glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the PT1, PT2 and control groups were significantly higher than that of the PT3 group, and the effect was significantly quadratically related to the addition amount (P &lt; 0.05). The serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity in the PT1 group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the effect was significantly quadratically related to the addition amount (P &lt; 0.05). Compared to the control group, the villus height of jejunum in the PT1, PT2 and PT3 groups were significantly higher, and there was a significant quadratic relationship between the villus height of jejunum and the addition amount (P &lt; 0.05). In addition, adding tannins to diets significantly increased Parabacteroides in the dominant genus (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with Plotytarya strohilacea Sieb. et Zuce tannin improved the growth performance, antioxidant function, and intestinal morphology along with an increased abundance of Parabacteroides in the cecum, and the recommended dosage of tannin in broiler diets was 100 mg/kg.

scholarly journals Effects of Zinc Lactate Supplementation on Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, Serum Parameters, and Hepatic Metallothionein of Chinese Yellow-Feathered Broilers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Long ◽  
Xichen Zhao ◽  
Haojie Li ◽  
Xia Yan ◽  
Huihua Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Zinc Compounds ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Organic Zinc ◽  
Organ Index ◽  
Hepatic Metallothionein ◽  
Lower Ratio

AbstractIn poultry, organic zinc compounds have higher bioavailability than inorganic zinc sources. However, as an organic zinc source, the application of zinc lactate (ZL) on Chinese yellow-feathered broilers has been rarely reported. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of ZL supplementation on growth performance, small intestinal morphology, serum biochemical parameters, immune organ index, as well as hepatic metallothionein of Chinese yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 2100 broilers (19 days old) were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups, including the control (fed basal diet), ZL40 (basal diet plus 40 mg/kg ZL), ZL60 (basal diet plus 60 mg/kg ZL), ZL80 (basal diet plus 80 mg/kg ZL), and ZS80 (basal diet plus 80 mg/kg ZS. Each treatment group had 6 replicates with 70 chickens per replicate. Compared to the control group, the ZL40 and the ZS80 groups had a lower feed to gain ratio (P < 0.05), ZL40 group had higher duodenum and ileum villus heights (P < 0.05), and ZS80 and ZL80 groups had a lower ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the jejunum (P < 0.01). In addition, the ZL60 group had a higher concentration of total protein (P < 0.05) and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (P < 0.01) compared with the ZS80 and the control groups. Interestingly, the ZL40, ZL60, and ZL80 groups all had higher levels of hepatic metallothionein than the other groups (P < 0.01). In conclusion, zinc lactate had a higher bioavailability and could be used as an alternative to zinc sulfate.

scholarly journals Effects of Clostridium butyricum and a Bacteriophage Cocktail on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemistry, Digestive Enzyme Activities, Intestinal Morphology, Immune Responses, and the Intestinal Microbiota in Rabbits

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1347
Author(s):  
Pan Huang ◽  
Xuemei Cui ◽  
Zhipeng Wang ◽  
Chenwen Xiao ◽  
Quanan Ji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Digestive Enzyme ◽  
Microbial Community Composition ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Clostridium Butyricum ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
G Ratio

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of dietary supplementation with Clostridium butyricum (CB) and a bacteriophage cocktail (BP) on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, intestinal digestive and oxidase enzymes, intestinal morphology, immune responses, and the cecum microbiota in rabbits. In total, 108 New Zealand rabbits (5 weeks old) were randomly and equally allotted into three dietary treatment groups (four replicates per treatment, n = 36/treatment): (1) the control (CN) group—rabbits fed the basal diet; (2) CB group—rabbits fed the basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg diet Clostridium butyricum; and (3) BP group—rabbits fed the basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg diet BP cocktail, respectively, for 6 weeks. Compared with the CN diet, dietary CB and BP inclusion increased the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) and decreased the feed/gain (F/G) ratio of rabbits. Furthermore, CB increased the digestive enzyme activity (α-amylase and trypsin in the ileum); the chymotrypsin activity was also significantly increased in the duodenum and jejunum. Supplementation with CB significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity (SOD and GSH-Px) in the jejunum and ileum and reduced MDA levels. Additionally, rabbits fed CB had significantly elevated villus height (V) and (V/C) ratios but reduced crypt depth (C). Moreover, dietary CB supplementation markedly increased the ileal expression of tight junction proteins (occludin, ZO-1, and claudin-1) and increased secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) production. High-throughput sequencing indicated that the microbiota in the rabbit intestine was altered by CB and BP. Venn diagrams and heatmap plots revealed that the gut microbial community composition varied obviously among rabbits fed different diets. Specifically, CB increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria to maintain intestinal barrier homeostasis, whereas BP decreased the relative abundance of Gammaproteobacteria, which included a plenty of pathogenic bacteria.

Effects of fermented corn gluten meal on growth performance, serum parameters, intestinal morphology, and immunity performance of three-yellow broilers

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 408-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Wang ◽  
Xiaolan Liu ◽  
Long Jin ◽  
Qinan Wen ◽  
Yonggen Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Corn Gluten Meal ◽  
Serum Parameters ◽  
Level Increase ◽  
Corn Gluten

A study was conducted to determine the effects of a diet containing solid-state fermented corn gluten meal (FCGM) with Bacillus natto and Lactobacillus on the growth performance, serum parameters, immune indices, and intestinal morphology of three-yellow broilers. A total of 450 one-d-old three-yellow male broilers were randomly allocated into three dietary treatment groups: control (without FCGM), T1, and T2 [5% and 10% replacement with corn gluten meal (CGM) and FCGM, respectively]. Ten replications per treatment and 15 birds per repeat were utilized. The results showed that the FCGM had a lower neutral detergent fiber content and higher small peptide content than the CGM. The average daily gain values, globulin content, the thymus and spleen indices of three-yellow broilers fed 5% and 10% FCGM were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of the control group, and the three-yellow broilers that were fed 10% FCGM increased more than those that were fed 5% FCGM (P < 0.05). The villus lengths and the ratios of the villus height to crypt depth (V:C) of the duodenum of three-yellow broilers fed 5% and 10% FCGM were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). From this study, it can be concluded that the productivity performances of three-yellow broilers fed with 5% FCGM and 10% FCGM increased, and with the additive level increase in the diet, increases of the productivity performance were observed.

scholarly journals Dietary Chitooligosaccharide Inclusion as an Alternative to Antibiotics Improves Intestinal Morphology, Barrier Function, Antioxidant Capacity, and Immunity of Broilers at Early Age

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Li ◽  
Yefei Cheng ◽  
Yueping Chen ◽  
Hengman Qu ◽  
Yurui Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Antibiotic Group

This study aimed to investigate the effects of chitooligosaccharide (COS) inclusion as an alternative to antibiotics on growth performance, intestinal morphology, barrier function, antioxidant capacity, and immunity in broilers. In total, 144 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned into 3 groups and fed a basal diet free from antibiotics (control group) or the same basal diet further supplemented with either chlortetracycline (antibiotic group) or COS, for 21 days. Compared with the control group, inclusion of COS reduced the feed to gain ratio, the jejunal crypt depth, the plasma diamine oxidase activity, and the endotoxin concentration, as well as jejunal and ileal malondialdehyde contents, whereas increased duodenal villus height, duodenal and jejunal ratio of villus height to crypt depth, intestinal immunoglobulin G, and jejunal immunoglobulin M (IgM) contents were observed, with the values of these parameters being similar or better to that of the antibiotic group. Additionally, supplementation with COS enhanced the superoxide dismutase activity and IgM content of the duodenum and up-regulated the mRNA level of claudin three in the jejunum and ileum, when compared with the control and antibiotic groups. In conclusion, dietary COS inclusion (30 mg/kg), as an alternative to antibiotics, exerts beneficial effects on growth performance, intestinal morphology, barrier function, antioxidant capacity, and immunity in broilers.

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