Injection of Raffinose Family Oligosaccharides at 12 Days of Egg Incubation Modulates the Gut Development and Resistance to Opportunistic Pathogens in Broiler Chickens

The aim was to investigate the impact of an automatic in ovo injection of the raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO) extracted from the seeds of Lupinus luteus L, on the chicken performance and resistance in a production environment. At day 12 of incubation, a total of 57,900 eggs (Ross 308) were divided into two groups: 1/ Control, injected with 0.9% NaCl and 2/ RFO group, injected with 1.9 mg/egg of the lupin seed extract, dissolved in 0.2 mL NaCl. The performance parameters, biochemical indices (lipid profile, hepatic parameters), gut histomorphology and duodenum structure, oxidative stability of the meat and microbiological counts of the major commensal microbiota species were analyzed. Mortality, body weight, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected. By day 42, several health indices were improved with RFO and were reflected in a beneficial lipid blood profile, increased villi surface and better combating opportunistic pathogens through reduction of Clostridia and decreased coccidia counts. The RFO increased meat oxidation, but only at the beginning of the storage. The RFO sourced from local legumes can be considered a promising prebiotic for broiler chickens. In ovo delivery of prebiotics and/or synbiotics should be further optimized as an important strategy for the earliest possible modulation of chicken resistance.

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Effects of Nano-Composite Adsorbents on the Growth Performance, Serum Biochemistry, and Organ Weights of Broilers Fed with Aflatoxin-Contaminated Feed

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins10090345 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 345 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Mookiah Saminathan ◽

Jinap Selamat ◽

Atena Abbasi Pirouz ◽

Norhani Abdullah ◽

Idrus Zulkifli

Keyword(s):

Adverse Effects ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Dietary Treatment ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Serum Biochemistry ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Nano Composite ◽

Magnetic Graphene Oxide ◽

Composite Adsorbents ◽

The Impact

The exploration of feed mycotoxin adsorbents to mitigate the adverse effects of mycotoxins on animals has received increasing attention over the last decade. The present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of nano-composite magnetic graphene oxide with chitosan (MGO-CTS) adsorbents against feed contaminated with ~20 ng/g (ppb) aflatoxin (AF). A total of three hundred 1-day-old chicks were randomly distributed into six dietary treatment groups, as follows: basal diet (broilers fed a diet with neither AF nor MGO-CTS added, T1), basal diet + 0.25% MGO-CTS (T2), basal diet + 0.50% MGO-CTS (T3), AF diet + 0.25% MGO-CTS (T4), AF diet + 0.50% MGO-CTS (T5), and AF diet (T6). The two inclusion levels (0.25 and 0.50%) of MGO-CTS significantly (p < 0.05) improved the growth performances and feed conversion ratios of the AF-treated chicks at 1–35 days of age, and the impact was more pronounced for 0.5% MGO-CTS. The AF intake markedly increased the relative weights of the liver and kidney, resulting in significant alterations in the serum biochemical parameters, such as albumins, alkaline phosphatase, and SGPT/alanine (ALT), at 35 days of age. However, the chickens fed 0.5% MGO-CTS with AF diets had apparent recovery or restoration of AF-induced organ lesions and aberrant serum profiles. A significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the total AFs was observed in the gastrointestinal tracts of the chickens fed 0.25% or 0.50% adsorbent in combination with AF feed (T4 and T5), with decreases of 28.9% and 53.5%, respectively, compared with that in the chickens fed an AF-contaminated diet (T6). The results of the study indicated that a higher concentration of MGO-CTS (0.50%) was effective in improving the overall performance of broiler chickens by preventing the adverse effects associated with aflatoxicosis.

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Splenic Gene Expression Signatures in Slow-Growing Chickens Stimulated in Ovo with Galactooligosaccharides and Challenged with Heat

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10030474 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 474 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Elzbieta Pietrzak ◽

Aleksandra Dunislawska ◽

Maria Siwek ◽

Marco Zampiga ◽

Federico Sirri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Heat Stress ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Physiological Saline ◽

Negative Effects ◽

In Ovo ◽

Stress Related Genes ◽

The Impact ◽

Slow Growing ◽

Resistance To Heat

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) that are delivered in ovo improve intestinal microbiota composition and mitigate the negative effects of heat stress in broiler chickens. Hubbard hybrids are slow-growing chickens with a high resistance to heat. In this paper, we determined the impact of GOS delivered in ovo on slow-growing chickens that are challenged with heat. The experiment was a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design. On day 12 of incubation, GOS (3.5 mg/egg) was delivered into the egg (n = 300). Controls (C) were mock-injected with physiological saline (n = 300). After hatching, the GOS and C groups were split into thermal groups: thermoneutral (TN) and heat stress (HS). HS (30 °C) lasted for 14 days (days 36–50 post-hatching). The spleen (n = 8) was sampled after acute (8.5 h) and chronic (14 days) HS. The gene expression of immune-related (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, and IL-17) and stress-related genes (HSP25, HSP90AA1, BAG3, CAT, and SOD) was detected with RT-qPCR. Chronic HS up-regulated the expression of the genes: IL-10, IL-12p40, SOD (p < 0.05), and CAT (p < 0.01). GOS delivered in ovo down-regulated IL-4 (acute p < 0.001; chronic p < 0.01), IL-12p40, CAT and SOD (chronic p < 0.05). The obtained results suggest that slow-growing hybrids are resistant to acute heat and tolerant to chronic heat, which can be supported with in ovo GOS administration.

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Metabolic Gene Expression in the Muscle and Blood Parameters of Broiler Chickens Stimulated In Ovo with Synbiotics

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10040687 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 687 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Aleksandra Dunislawska ◽

Maria Siwek ◽

Anna Slawinska ◽

Adam Lepczynski ◽

Agnieszka Herosimczyk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Rna Isolation ◽

Pectoral Muscle ◽

Poultry Meat ◽

Raffinose Family Oligosaccharides ◽

In Ovo ◽

Metabolic Gene ◽

Metabolic Gene Expression

To better understand the effects of synbiotics administered at early stages of embryonic development in poultry, it is necessary to analyze direct effects (meat quality) and the molecular background. The molecular interpretation of poultry meat properties after in ovo administration of synbiotics remains to be reported. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the molecular background of meat quality based on gene expression and basic physiological parameters. Eggs were injected with (S1) Lactobacillus salivarius with galacto-oligosaccharides or (S2) Lactobacillus plantarum with raffinose family oligosaccharides. The pectoral muscle was collected at two time points (day 7 and day 42) and subjected to RNA isolation. Gene expression analysis was performed by RT-qPCR for a panel of eight genes associated with metabolism. The concentration of glucose and hormones (insulin, glucagon, and leptin (S1 p = 0.04)) was also increased. The obtained results showed that metabolic gene expression in the muscle was more differential due to synbiotic stimulation on day 7 (FST in S1 p = 0.03; PDK4 in S1 p = 0.02 and S2 p = 0.01; CEBPB in S1 p = 0.01 and S2 p = 0.008; PHKB in S1 p = 0.01; PRKAG3 in S1 p = 0.02) than on day 42 (PDK4 in S1 p = 0.04). On the basis of the results obtained, it can be concluded that in ovo stimulation with S1 triggered the most potent and favorable changes in the pectoral muscle gene expression in broiler chickens.

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The Effects of In Ovo Injection of Synbiotics on the Early Growth Performance and Intestinal Health of Chicks

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.658301 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Ao-yi Duan ◽

An-qi Ju ◽

Ying-nan Zhang ◽

Yan-jun Qin ◽

Li-gang Xue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Interleukin 2 ◽

Physiological Saline ◽

Lavage Fluid ◽

Interferon Γ ◽

Immunological Function ◽

Gut Development ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

In Ovo ◽

Treatment Groups

In this study, the effects of synbiotic inclusion at the intra-amniotic stage in layer chicks were evaluated with different parameters, such as performance, immunological function, intestinal development, and cecal microflora content. A total of 1,200 eggs with fertile embryos were allocated into four treatment groups. For every treatment, five replicates were used, and 60 eggs were included in each replicate. The following four treatment groups were established: the non-injected group, 0.9% physiological saline injection (saline) group, 1 × 106 CFU/egg Lactobacillus plantarum injection (probiotic) group, and 1 × 106 CFU/egg L. plantarum + 2 mg/egg Astragalus polysaccharide injection (synbiotic) group. In ovo injection was carried out at 18.5 days of incubation. The results showed that in ovo injection of probiotics or synbiotics did not affect the hatching or growth performance of the chicks but significantly increased their feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), and the feed conversion ratio (FCR). Additionally, in ovo injection of synbiotics enhanced the levels of serum interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in intestinal lavage fluid and the histomorphological development of the small intestine. Our results also indicated that intra-amniotic synbiotic injection significantly increased Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium colonization while decreasing the relative abundance of Escherichia coli in the chicken cecum (P < 0.05). In summary, in ovo injection of synbiotics had positive impacts on the performance, immunological function, gut development, and microbiota of growing chicks.

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In ovo Administration of Nucleosides Improved the Performance, Apparent Metabolizable Energy and Gut Development in Broiler Chickens

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2020.583748 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Marappan Gopi ◽

Villavan Manojkumar ◽

Ashok Kumar Verma ◽

Putan Singh ◽

Jaydip Jaywant Rokade ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Plasma Protein ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Gut Development ◽

In Ovo ◽

Plasma Protein Concentration ◽

Apparent Metabolizable Energy ◽

Phosphate Buffered Saline

An in ovo study on the effect of the administration of a combination of nucleosides (25, 50, and 100 mg/egg) on hatchability, growth performance, energy metabolizability, and intestinal morphology in broilers was carried out. Four hundred eighty (480) fertile eggs were divided into four groups (in four replicates each having 30 eggs). On the 18th days of incubation of the eggs, candling was carried out and the fertile eggs were selected and given one of the four in ovo administrations. Group one served as control and was injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The other groups were given in ovo administration of nucleosides (25, 50, and 100 mg/egg) at 100 μl through the yolk sac route, and chicks of respective groups were hatched out. Among the experimental groups, the hatchability was comparable; however, the hatchability was affected in the group injected with a higher level of nucleosides at 100 mg/egg. The hatched out chicks from higher doses of nucleosides (50 and 100 mg) had higher body weight (BW) (P < 0.05) than the control. Higher energy metabolizability (%) was observed in nucleoside-injected groups. Plasma protein concentration was higher in groups administered with nucleosides (50 and 100 mg). Histologically, the intestinal villi length was maximum in 100 mg-injected group followed by 50 and 25 mg. Relative expression of homeobox (Cdx) in the jejunum was significantly (P < 0.05) upregulated in all the injected groups at 3, 7, and 14 days of age. Nucleoside-administered groups had better performance, energy metabolizability, and intestinal morphology. Among the experimental groups, the administration of nucleosides at 50 mg/egg resulted in higher growth performance, plasma protein, intestinal surface, and villi development in broiler chickens.

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Nutritional and physiological responses of broiler chickens to dietary supplementation with de-oiled soyabean lecithin at different metabolisable energy levels and various fat sources

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s000711451900182x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 122 (8) ◽

pp. 863-872 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Leila Majdolhosseini ◽

Hossein Ali Ghasemi ◽

Iman Hajkhodadadi ◽

Mohammad Hossein Moradi

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Degree Of Saturation ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Blood Profile ◽

Metabolisable Energy ◽

Fat Digestibility

AbstractA 42-d study was conducted to investigate the effects of an emulsifier supplementation (de-oiled soyabean lecithin (DSL)) of diets with different levels of metabolisable energy (ME) and various sources of fat on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile and jejunal morphology of broiler chickens. Diets were arranged factorially (2 × 2 × 2) and consisted of two concentrations of ME (normal and low), two fat sources (soyabean oil (SO) and poultry fat (PF)) and two levels of DSL supplementation (0 and 1 g/kg). A total of 800 1-d-old male broiler chickens were assigned to eight treatments with five replicates/treatment. The results showed the supplemental DSL caused improvements in the overall feed conversion ratio, fat digestibility and jejunal villus height:crypt depth ratio, but the magnitude of the responses was greater in the PF-containing diets, resulting in significant fat × DSL interactions (P<0·05). Abdominal fat percentage was also reduced by the PF-containing diet, but the response was greater in the normal ME diet, resulting in a significant ME × fat interaction (P = 0·048). Dietary DSL supplementation also increased nitrogen-corrected apparent ME values but decreased blood TAG (P = 0·041) and LDL (P = 0·049) concentrations, regardless of the source of fat used or the ME values in the diet. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the improvements in growth performance, fat digestibility and intestinal morphology that can be achieved with DSL supplementation are highly dependent on the degree of saturation of lipid incorporated into broiler chicken diets.

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Impact of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum [L.] Gaertn.) Seeds in Broiler Chicken Diets on Rearing Results, Carcass Composition, and Meat Quality

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061550 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1550

Author(s):

Alina Janocha ◽

Anna Milczarek ◽

Daria Pietrusiak

Keyword(s):

Meat Quality ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Broiler Chicken ◽

Carcass Composition ◽

Milk Thistle ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Silybum Marianum ◽

Leg Muscles ◽

Study Results ◽

The Impact

The studies aimed to evaluate the impact of milk thistle seeds in broiler chicken feed rations on rearing results, carcass composition and meat quality. The experiment involved 120 broiler chickens randomly allocated to three equinumerous groups (C, MT02, MT23). Each group was divided into five subgroups of eight chickens each. Over the first 21 days of life the birds were fed starter rations, and over the following 21 days received grower rations. Chicken starter/grower diets in groups MT02 and MT23 were supplemented with ground seeds of milk thistle in the amount of 0/2% (MT02) and 2/3% (MT23). It was demonstrated that Silybum marianum added to feed rations over the whole rearing period (group MT23) increased above 3% the birds’ body weight on rearing day 42. (p < 0.05) and decreased about 7% the feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05) in comparison to group C. No effect of feeding on the carcass composition was observed, including on muscularity and fattening grade, although diets containing milk thistle reduced (by 15% and 19% in group MT02 and MT23, respectively) the content of crude fat in chicken leg muscles (p < 0.05). The highest (p < 0.05) content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was determined in the breast (38.06%) and leg (37.63%) muscles of chicken receiving feed rations containing Silybum marianum throughout the rearing period. No effect of nutrition on the evaluated physical properties of muscles was observed, except on the decrease in lightness color (L*) and increase in values a* and C as well as a decrease of water holding capacity of the breast muscles. It was found that Silybum marianum in chicken diets had a positive effect on the evaluated meat flavor characteristics of the muscles. To sum up, based on the study results, including ground seeds of milk thistle in broiler chickens nutrition can be recommended in the amount of 2/3% in starter/grower diets, respectively.

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Performance and physiological parameters in broilers fed different enzyme complexes

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2017v38n4supl1p2765 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (4Supl1) ◽

pp. 2765

Author(s):

Thiago Dos Santos Andrade ◽

Ricardo Vianna Nunes ◽

Idiana Mara da Silva ◽

Lucas Wachholz ◽

Vitor Barbosa Fascina

Keyword(s):

Broiler Chickens ◽

Control Diet ◽

Abdominal Fat ◽

Negative Control ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Enzyme Complex ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Blood Profile ◽

Carcass Yield ◽

Protease Enzyme

The effects of enzyme supplementation on the performance, yield, and blood profile of broilers fed corn and soybean diets from 1 to 42 days of age were evaluated. A total of 960 male broilers were used, distributed in a completely randomized design, with six treatments and eight replications. Two diets were used: a positive control formulated to meet the birds’ nutritional requirements (Diet 1) and a negative control diet with reduction of 150 kcal.kg-1 of metabolizable energy (Diet 2) and 12% amino acid in the initial phase and 18% during the growing and finishing phases. Further diets were based on the negative control with enzymes: enzyme complex 1, composed of 125 g ton-1 protease; enzyme complex 2, composed of 100 g ton-1 amylase, protease, and xylanase; enzyme complex 3, composed of 500 g ton-1 amylase, protease, and xylanase; and enzyme complex 4, composed of 125 g ton-1 protease and 500 g ton-1 beta-mannanase. Enzymatic supplementation did not improve performance during the initial and growing phases due to nutritional imbalance, resulting in the worst weight gain and feed conversion during the finishing phase. Carcass yield, leg yield, abdominal fat, and pancreas were altered by enzymatic supplementation. Triglyceride levels influenced abdominal fat deposition, and the serum levels of albumin and alanine aminotransferase were altered by enzymatic supplementation. Enzymatic supplementation was not effective in restoring broiler performance, carcass yield, and cuts, with changes in the serum biochemical profile of the broiler chickens.

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Performance and physiological parameters in broilers fed different enzyme complexes

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2017v38n4suplp2765 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (4Supl1) ◽

pp. 2765 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thiago Dos Santos Andrade ◽

Ricardo Vianna Nunes ◽

Idiana Mara da Silva ◽

Lucas Wachholz ◽

Vitor Barbosa Fascina

Keyword(s):

Broiler Chickens ◽

Control Diet ◽

Abdominal Fat ◽

Negative Control ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Enzyme Complex ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Blood Profile ◽

Carcass Yield ◽

Protease Enzyme

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The Productivity and Financial Impacts of Eight Types of Environmental Enrichment for Broiler Chickens

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10030378 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 378

Author(s):

Philip J. Jones ◽

Fernanda M. Tahamtani ◽

Ida J. Pedersen ◽

Jarkko K. Niemi ◽

Anja B. Riber

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Environmental Enrichment ◽

Stocking Density ◽

Control Group ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Intervention Costs ◽

Foot Pad ◽

Financial Impacts ◽

The Impact

Reduced mobility in broilers can contribute to leg health problems. Environmental enrichment has been suggested as one approach to combat this through stimulating increased physical activity. Past studies have tested the effect of environmental enrichments on bird behaviour, health and welfare, but few have estimated their financial impacts. This study tested the impact of eight types of environmental enrichment on enterprise net margin, accounting for direct intervention costs plus indirect effects via changes to bird mortality, weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and foot pad dermatitis. The trial used 58 pens each containing approximately 500 broilers (Ross 308) at a stocking density of 40 kg/m2. The environmental enrichments were: roughage, vertical panels, straw bales, elevated platforms (5 and 30 cm), increased distances between feed and water (7 and 3.5 m) and stocking density reduced to 34 kg/m2, plus a control group. Mortality was recorded daily and feed intake and weight weekly. Footpad dermatitis was assessed on day 35. Only one intervention improved financial performance (3.5 m between feed and water) above the control, suggesting that most environmental enrichment would have a negative financial impact due to the additional intervention costs, unless consumers were willing to pay a price premium.

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