Evaluation of in ovo Bacillus spp. based probiotic administration on horizontal transmission of virulent Escherichia coli in neonatal broiler chickens

The use of intensive selection procedure in modern broiler chicken lines has led to the development of several skeletal disorders in broiler chickens. Therefore, current research is focused on methods to improve the bone quality in birds. In ovo technology, using nanoparticles with a high specificity to bones, is a potential approach. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of in ovo inoculation (IOI) of calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CCN) on chicken embryo development, health status, bone characteristics, and on broiler production results and bone quality. After assessing in vitro cell viability, the IOI procedure was performed with an injection of 500 μg/mL CCN. The control group was not inoculated with CCN. Hatchability, weight, and selected bone and serum parameters were measured in embryos. Part of hatchlings were reared under standard conditions until 42 days, and production results, meat quality, and bone quality of broilers were determined. CCN did not show cytotoxicity to cells and chicken embryo and positively influenced bone parameters of the embryos and of broilers later (calcification) without negatively affecting the production results. Thus, the IOI of CCN could modify the molecular responses at the stage of embryogenesis, resulting in better mineralization, and could provide a sustained effect, thereby improving bone quality in adult birds.

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Effects of in ovo injection of Astragalus kahericus polysaccharide on early growth, carcass weights and blood metabolites in broiler chickens

Animal Biotechnology ◽

10.1080/10495398.2021.1924763 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Hussin H. El-Fakhrany ◽

Zenat A. Ibrahim ◽

Elwy A. Ashour ◽

Ali Osman ◽

Mahmoud Alagawany

Keyword(s):

Broiler Chickens ◽

Early Growth ◽

Blood Metabolites ◽

In Ovo ◽

In Ovo Injection

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Research Note: Application of an Escherichia coli spray challenge model for neonatal broiler chickens

Poultry Science ◽

10.1016/j.psj.2021.01.011 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 100 (4) ◽

pp. 100988

Author(s):

C.M. Selby ◽

B.D. Graham ◽

L.E. Graham ◽

K.D. Teague ◽

B.M. Hargis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Research Note

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The beneficial effects of a multistrain potential probiotic, formic, and lactic acids with different vaccination regimens on broiler chickens challenged with multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella

Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences ◽

10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.02.017 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mohamed Sabry Abd Elraheam Elsayed ◽

Awad A. Shehata ◽

Ahmed Mohamed Ammar ◽

Tamer S. Allam ◽

Reda Tarabees

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Lactic Acids

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The Use of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oil as an Additive to Drinking Water for Broiler Chickens and Its In Vitro Reaction with Enrofloxacin

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061535 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1535

Author(s):

M. Adaszyńska-Skwirzyńska ◽

D. Szczerbińska ◽

S. Zych

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Drinking Water ◽

Body Weight ◽

Essential Oil ◽

Water Consumption ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Lavender Oil ◽

Resistant Strains ◽

Synergistic Reaction

Biological activity of lavender essential oil is a property that can potentially find an application in poultry nutrition. Nowadays, the use of bioactive compounds is encouraged in many areas of industry and agriculture, since these substances have similar properties as withdrawn antibiotic growth promoters. Additionally, antibiotic resistance bacteria are one of the most important current threats to animal health. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of lavender essential oil on the production parameters and blood parameters in broiler chickens and to assess the lavender oil’s in vitro reaction in a combination with enrofloxacin towards Escherichia coli. One-day-old non-sexed chicks (Ross 308) were divided into three experimental groups, each consisting of 100 individuals (five replicate of 20 boiler chicken each). The chickens in the control group received drinking water with no addition of lavender essential oil. In the experimental groups, lavender oil was added to the drinking water at a concentration of 0.4 mL/L, in the LEO1–42 from 1 to 42 days of age and the LEO22–42 group from the 22 to 42 days of age. The chickens’ body weight, feed consumption, water consumption, deaths and elimination due to health reasons were determined in the experiment. On day 42 of the chickens’ lives, blood samples were collected based on which selected parameters were identified. An in vitro experiment of lavender oil in combination with enrofloxacin was investigated with a checkerboard method. The results of the experiment showed the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of lavender essential oil and its positive effect on the production results of broiler chickens. The study results proved that the addition of lavender oil positively impacted the chickens’ final body weight and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01). No differences were observed between the groups for water consumption, death rate and the examined biochemical and immunological blood serum indices. Lavender essential oil was demonstrated to increase the blood serum’s total antioxidant status. A synergistic reaction in vitro was observed for lavender oil combined with enrofloxacin against resistant strains of Escherichia coli. Based on our study, a health-promoting effect of adding LEO to water for broiler chickens was found. Moreover, in vitro studies indicate a significant effect of lavender essential oil on the inhibition of the resistant strains of Escherichia coli growth and synergistic reaction with enrofloxacin.

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Impact of On-Farm Interventions against CTX-Resistant Escherichia coli on the Contamination of Carcasses before and during an Experimental Slaughter

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10030228 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 228

Author(s):

Michaela Projahn ◽

Jana Sachsenroeder ◽

Guido Correia-Carreira ◽

Evelyne Becker ◽

Annett Martin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Stocking Density ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Control Group ◽

Cross Contamination ◽

High Prevalence ◽

On Farm ◽

The Impact ◽

Slow Growing

Cefotaxime (CTX)-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are still an ongoing challenge in human and veterinary health. High prevalence of these resistant bacteria is detected in broiler chickens and the prevention of their dissemination along the production pyramid is of major concern. The impact of certain on-farm interventions on the external bacterial contamination of broiler chickens, as well as their influence on single processing steps and (cross-) contamination, have not yet been evaluated. Therefore, we investigated breast skin swab samples of broiler chickens before and during slaughter at an experimental slaughter facility. Broiler chickens were previously challenged with CTX-resistant Escherichia coli strains in a seeder-bird model and subjected to none (control group (CG)) or four different on-farm interventions: drinking water supplementation based on organic acids (DW), slow growing breed Rowan × Ranger (RR), reduced stocking density (25 kg/sqm) and competitive exclusion with Enterobacteriales strain IHIT36098(CE). Chickens of RR, 25 kg/sqm, and CE showed significant reductions of the external contamination compared to CG. The evaluation of a visual scoring system indicated that wet and dirty broiler chickens are more likely a vehicle for the dissemination of CTX-resistant and total Enterobacteriaceae into the slaughterhouses and contribute to higher rates of (cross-) contamination during processing.

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Effects of Clostridium butyricum- and Bacillus spp.-Based Potential Probiotics on the Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, Immune Responses, and Caecal Microbiota in Broilers

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10060624 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 624

Author(s):

Xinfu Zeng ◽

Qing Li ◽

Caimei Yang ◽

Yang Yu ◽

Zixian Fu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Clostridium Butyricum ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Body Weights ◽

Bacillus Spp

We aimed to investigate the effects of Clostridium butyricum-, Bacillus subtilis-, and Bacillus licheniformis-based potential probiotics on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, immune responses, and caecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and microbial structure in broiler chickens. Three treatment groups containing a total of 1200 one-day-old AA broilers were included: birds fed with a basal diet only (Con), birds fed with added 1010 probiotics cfu/kg (ProL), and birds fed with added 1011 probiotics cfu/kg (ProH). The dietary probiotics significantly improved the final and average body weights and serum immunoglobulins A, M, and Y. The probiotics also enhanced the ileal morphology and improved the caecal acetate, butyrate, and propionate contents. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that dietary compound probiotics modulated the caecal microflora composition as follows: (1) all birds shared 2794 observed taxonomic units; (2) treatment groups were well separated in the PCA and PCoA analysis; (3) the relative abundance of Parabacteroides, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, Barnesiella, Odoribacter, [Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group], [Ruminococcus]_torques_group, and Butyricimonas significantly varied between treatments. The compound probiotics improved the growth performance, serum immune responses, the ratio of ileal villus height to crypt depth, and major caecal SCFAs in broiler chickens. The dietary C. butyricum-, B. subtilis-, and B. licheniformis-based probiotics improved overall broiler health and would benefit the poultry industry.

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