Effects of Feeding Different Postbiotics Produced by Lactobacillus plantarum on Growth Performance, Carcass Yield, Intestinal Morphology, Gut Microbiota Composition, Immune Status, and Growth Gene Expression in Broilers under Heat Stress

The effects of feeding different postbiotics on growth performance, carcass yield, intestinal morphology, gut microbiota, immune status, and growth hormone receptor (GHR) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) gene expression in broilers under heat stress were assessed in this study. A total of 252 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly assigned in cages in identical environmentally controlled chambers. During the starter period from 1 to 21 days, all the birds were fed the same basal diet. On day 22, the birds were weighed and randomly divided into six treatment groups and exposed to cyclic high temperature at 36 ± 1 °C for 3 h per day from 11:00 to 14:00 until the end of the experiment. From day 22 to 42 (finisher period), an equal number of birds were subjected to one of the following diets: NC (negative control) basal diet; PC (positive control) basal diet + 0.02% oxytetracycline; or AA (ascorbic acid) basal diet + 0.02% ascorbic acid. The other three groups (RI11, RS5 and UL4) were basal diet + 0.3% different postbiotics (produced from different Lactobacillus plantarum strains, and defined as RI11, RS5 and UL4, respectively). The results demonstrated that birds fed RI11 diets had significantly higher final body weight, total weight gain and average daily gain than the birds that received the NC, PC and AA treatments. The feed conversion ratio was significantly higher in the RI11 group compared with the other groups. Carcass parameters were not affected by the postbiotic-supplemented diet. Postbiotic supplementation improved villi height significantly in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum compared to the NC, PC and AA treatments. The crypt depth of the duodenum and ileum was significantly higher in NC group compared to other treatment groups except RI11 in duodenum, and UL4 in ileum was not different with NC groups. The villus height to crypt depth ratio of duodenum and ileum was significantly higher for the postbiotic treatment groups and AA than the PC and NC treatment groups. The postbiotic RI11 group recorded significantly higher caecum total bacteria and Lactobacillus count and lower Salmonella count compared to the NC and PC treatment groups. The Bifidobacterium population in the NC group was significantly lower compared to the other treatment groups. The postbiotic (RI11, RS5 and UL4) and AA treatment groups showed lower Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli counts and caecal pH than the NC and PC treatment groups. The plasma immunoglobulin M (IgM) level was significantly higher in the birds receiving postbiotic RI11 than those receiving other treatments. The plasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) level was higher in the RI11 treatment group than in the NC, AA and RS5 groups. The plasma immunoglobulin A (IgA) level was not affected by postbiotic supplements. The hepatic GHR mRNA expression level was significantly increased in birds fed postbiotics RI11, RS5 and UL4, AA and PC compared to the NC-fed birds. Postbiotic RI11 led to significantly higher hepatic IGF-1 mRNA expression level compared to the NC, PC, and AA treatments. Mortality was numerically lesser in the postbiotic treatment groups, but not significantly different among all the treatments. In conclusion, among the postbiotics applied in the current study as compared with NC, PC and AA, RI11 could be used as a potential alternative antibiotic growth promoter and anti-stress treatment in the poultry industry.

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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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Dietary purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) promotes the growth performance of broilers by modulation of gut microbiota

AMB Express ◽

10.1186/s13568-021-01190-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Cong Wang ◽

Qing Liu ◽

Fengchun Ye ◽

Hongbo Tang ◽

Yanpeng Xiong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Scientific Basis ◽

Control Group ◽

Good Growth ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Illumina Hiseq ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Dietary Treatments

AbstractPurslane is a widespread wild vegetable with both medicinal and edible properties. It is highly appreciated for its high nutritional value and is also considered as a high-quality feed resource for livestock and poultry. In this study, Sanhuang broilers were used to investigate the effect of feeding purslane diets on the growth performance in broilers and their gut microbiota. A total of 48 birds with good growth and uniform weight were selected and randomly allocated to four treatment groups A (control), B, C and D. Dietary treatments were fed with basal diet without purslane and diets containing 1%, 2% and 3% purslane. The 16S rDNA was amplified by PCR and sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq platform to analyze the composition and diversity of gut microbiota in the four sets of samples. The results showed that dietary inclusion of 2% and 3% purslane could significantly improve the growth performance and reduce the feed conversion ratio. Microbial diversity analysis indicated that the composition of gut microbiota of Sanhuang broilers mainly included Gallibacterium, Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella, etc. As the content of purslane was increased, the abundance of Lactobacillus increased significantly, and Escherichia-Shigella decreased. LEfSe analysis revealed that Bacteroides_caecigallinarum, Lachnospiraceae, Lactobacillales and Firmicutes had significant differences compared with the control group. PICRUSt analysis revealed bacteria mainly enriched in carbohydrate metabolism pathway due to the additon of purslane in the diet. These results suggest that the addition of purslane to feed could increase the abundance of Lactobacillus in intestine, modulate the environment of gut microbiota and promote the metabolism of carbohydrates to improve its growth performance. This study indicates that the effect of purslane on the growth-promoting performance of broilers might depend on its modulation on gut microbiota, so as to provide a certain scientific basis for the application of purslane in the feed industry.

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Hydroxy-Selenomethionine Improves the Selenium Status and Helps to Maintain Broiler Performances under a High Stocking Density and Heat Stress Conditions through a Better Redox and Immune Response

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10101542 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1542

Author(s):

Hua Sun ◽

Ling Zhao ◽

Zi-Jian Xu ◽

Michele De Marco ◽

Mickael Briens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Stress Condition ◽

Immune Status ◽

Protective Action ◽

Stocking Density ◽

Serum Cortisol ◽

Protein Carbonyl ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Deficient Diet ◽

Heat Stress Condition

This study has determined whether hydroxy-selenomethionine (OH-SeMet) exerts a better protective action on broilers against environmental stress than sodium selenite (SS) or seleno-yeast (SY). Day-old male Cobb 500 broilers (12 cages/diet, 9 broilers/cage) were fed a selenium (Se)-deficient diet (0.047 mg/kg) supplemented with SS, SY or OH-SeMet at 0.3 mg Se/kg under a high stocking density and heat stress condition for six weeks. OH-SeMet improved the FCR and Se concentration in the tissues than SS and SY. SY and OH-SeMet both reduced the serum cortisol, T3, IL-6, IgA, IgM and LPS, more than SS, while only OH-SeMet further increased IL-10 and IgG. SY and OH-SeMet improved the intestinal morphology and increased the T-AOC, TXRND, SELENON and OCCLUDIN activities but decreased CLAUDIN2 in the jejunum than SS, while OH-SeMet further improved these values than SY. SY and OH-SeMet both increased SELENOS and TXNRD2 in the muscles than SS, and OH-SeMet further raised T-AOC, GPX4, SELENOP, SELENOW and TXNRD1, and reduced malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl in the muscles than SS and SY. OH-SeMet showed a better ability to maintain the performance and the redox and immune status of broilers under a high stocking density and heat stress challenge than SS and SY.

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Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on regulatory appetite and heat stress protein genes in broiler chickens subjected to heat stress

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa300 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (10) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Suriya Kumari Ramiah ◽

Elmutaz Atta Awad ◽

Nur Izzah Mohd Hemly ◽

Mahdi Ebrahimi ◽

Olubodun Joshua ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Zinc Oxide ◽

Heat Stress ◽

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Stress Proteins ◽

Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Broiler Chicks

Abstract This study was conducted to explore the effect of the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) supplement on the regulatory appetite and heat stress (HS) genes in broiler chickens raised under high or normal ambient temperatures. In this study, 240 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly assigned to 48 battery cages. From day 1, these 48 cages were randomly subjected to four different treatment strategies: Control (wherein, their basal diet included 60 mg/kg of ZnO), ZNONPs 40 (wherein basal diet included 40 mg/kg of ZnONPs), ZnONPs 60 (basal diet included 60 mg/kg of ZnONPs), and ZnONPs 100 (basal diet included 100 mg/kg of ZnONPs). Thereafter, from day 22 to 42, the chickens from each dietary treatment group were subjected to different temperature stresses either normal (23 ± 1 °C constant) or HS (34 ± 1 °C for 6 h/d), which divided them into eight different treatment groups. Our findings revealed that dietary ZnONPs altered the gene expression of cholecystokinin (ileum), heat stress proteins (HSP) 70 (jejunum and ileum), and HSP 90 (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum). The gene expression of ghrelin was affected by the interaction between the ZnONPs concentration and temperature in the duodenum and stomach. More studies are required to elucidate its complex physiological and biochemical functions of the regulation of gene expression within the intestine in heat-stressed broiler chickens.

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Effects of dietary seaweed extract supplementation in sows and post-weaned pigs on performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal microflora and immune status

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114511000997 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 106 (5) ◽

pp. 688-699 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

S. G. Leonard ◽

T. Sweeney ◽

B. Bahar ◽

B. P. Lynch ◽

J. V. O'Doherty

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Intestinal Microflora ◽

Immune Status ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Seaweed Extract ◽

Gut Health ◽

Weaned Pigs ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Daily Gain

The present study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of a seaweed extract (SWE) to sows and weaned pigs on post-weaning growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal microflora, volatile fatty acid concentrations and immune status of pigs at days 11 and 117 post-weaning. Gestating sows (n20) were supplemented with a SWE (0v.10·0 g/d) from day 107 of gestation until weaning (day 26). At weaning, pigs (four pigs per sow) were divided into two groups based on sow diet during lactation and supplemented with a SWE (0v.2·8 g/kg diet), resulting in four treatment groups: (1) BB (basal sows–basal pigs); (2) BS (basal sows–treated pigs); (3) SB (treated sows–basal pigs); (4) SS (treated sows–treated pigs). Pigs weaned from SWE-supplemented sows had a higher average daily gain (ADG) between days 0 and 21 (P < 0·05) post-weaning compared with pigs weaned from non-SWE-supplemented sows. Pigs offered post-weaning diets (PW) containing SWE had decreased colonicEscherichia colipopulations on day 11 (P < 0·01) and decreased colonic Enterobacteriaceae numbers on day 117 (P < 0·05). Pigs offered PW containing SWE had a greater mRNA abundance ofMUC2in the colon at day 11 post-weaning (P < 0·05) compared with pigs offered unsupplemented diets. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that SWE supplementation post-weaning provides a dietary means to improve gut health and to enhance growth performance in starter pigs. Dietary SWE supplementation increased ADG during the grower–finisher (GF) phases. However, there was no growth response to SWE inclusion in GF diets when pigs were weaned from SWE-supplemented sows.

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Comparison of performance and intestinal morphology of broilers using step-down supplementation with a mannan-rich fraction versus bacitracin methylene disalicylate

Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition ◽

10.1017/jan.2014.6 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

K.M. Brennan ◽

M.A. Paul ◽

R.S. Samuel ◽

B. Lumpkins ◽

J.L. Pierce ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Basal Diet ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Growth Promoter ◽

Broiler Performance ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Fraction Versus ◽

Potential Alternative ◽

Diet Control ◽

Effect Of Treatment ◽

Step Down

SummaryTwo experiments were conducted to compare effects of utilising step-down dosing of a mannan-rich fraction (MRF) of yeast cell wall or the antimicrobial growth promoter (AGP) bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) when chicks were raised on built-up litter. Chicks were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (12 pen replicates; 50 birds per pen): basal diet (control) or basal diet plus MRF (Actigen™; Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) or BMD (Alpharma Inc., Fort Lee, NJ). In experiment two, intestinal morphology and litter scores were determined on d 42. In experiment one, MRF and BMD increased BW gain at d 21 and d 42 compared with control (P ≤ 0.05) and d 42 BW was greater in BMD birds than controls (P ≤ 0.05). Adjusted FCRs were lower in MRF and BMD birds from d 0 to d 42 (P = 0.06). In experiment two, there was no effect of treatment on d 21 BW, but MRF and BMD improved adjusted FCR (P = 0.02) compared with control. By d 35, both MRF and BMD birds had greater BWs than controls (P = 0.04). At d 42, MRF-supplemented birds had greater BW than controls (P ≤ 0.05). D 35 and d 42 FCR improved with MRF or BMD compared with control (P ≤ 0.01). Litter conditions improved (P ≤ 0.05) when birds were fed diets with BMD and MRF compared with control-fed birds. Jejunal morphology, including villi height (P ≤ 0.05), villi height: crypt depth ratio (P ≤ 0.05), and goblet cell numbers (P ≤ 0.05) improved with MRF and BMD compared with control. Both MRF and BMD improved broiler performance, potentially related to the improvements observed in intestinal morphology. In conclusion, step-down supplementation with MRF may offer a potential alternative to AGP to improve performance in broilers raised in commercial settings.

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Dietary protein-bound or free amino acids differently affect intestinal morphology, gene expression of amino acid transporters, and serum amino acids of pigs exposed to heat stress

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa056 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Adriana Morales ◽

Tania Gómez ◽

Yuri D Villalobos ◽

Hugo Bernal ◽

John K Htoo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Amino Acids ◽

Heat Stress ◽

Body Temperature ◽

Dietary Protein ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Amino Acid Transporters ◽

Evening Meal ◽

Intestinal Epithelia ◽

Low Protein

Abstract Pigs exposed to heat stress (HS) increase body temperature in which can damage the intestinal epithelia and affect the absorption and availability of amino acids (AA). Protein digestion and metabolism further increase body temperature. An experiment was conducted with six pairs of pigs (of 47.3 ± 1.3 kg initial body weight) exposed to natural HS to assess the effect of substituting dietary protein-bound AA by free AA on morphology and gene expression of intestinal epithelial and serum concentration (SC) of free AA. Treatments were: high protein, 21.9% crude protein (CP) diet (HShp) and low protein, 13.5% CP diet supplemented with crystalline Lys, Thr, Met, Trp, His, Ile, Leu, Phe, and Val (HSaa). The HShp diet met or exceeded all AA requirements. The HSaa diet was formulated on the basis of ideal protein. Pigs were fed the same amount at 0700 and 1900 hours during the 21-d study. Blood samples were collected at 1700 hours (2.0 h before the evening meal), 2030 hours, and 2130 hours (1.5 and 2.5 h after the evening meal). At the end, all pigs were sacrificed to collect intestinal mucosa and a 5-cm section from each segment of the small intestine from each pig. Villi measures, expression of AA transporters (y+L and B0) in mucosa, and SC of AA were analyzed. Ambient temperature fluctuated daily from 24.5 to 42.6 °C. Weight gain and G.F were not affected by dietary treatment. Villi height tended to be larger (P ≤ 0.10) and the villi height:crypt depth ratio was higher in duodenum and jejunum of pigs fed the HSaa diet (P < 0.05). Gene expression of transporter y+L in jejunum tended to be lower (P < 0.10) and transporter B0 in the ileum was lower (P < 0.05) in HSaa pigs. Preprandial (1700 hours) SC of Arg, His, Ile, Leu, Thr, Trp, and Val was higher (P < 0.05), and Phe tended to be higher (P < 0.10) in HShp pigs. At 2030 hours (1.5 h postprandial), serum Lys, Met, and Thr were higher in the HSaa pigs (P < 0.05). At 2130 hours (2.5 h), Arg, His, Ile, Phe, and Trp were lower (P < 0.05); Met was higher (P < 0.05); and Lys tended to be higher (P < 0.10) in HSaa pigs. In conclusion, feeding HS pigs with low protein diets supplemented with free AA reduces the damage of the intestinal epithelia and seems to improve its absorption capacity, in comparison with HS pigs fed diets containing solely protein-bound AA. This information is useful to formulate diets that correct the reduced AA consumption associated with the decreased voluntary feed intake of pigs under HS.

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Administration of garlic and neem in broiler diet for safe meat production

Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.3329/bjas.v48i2.46766 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 116-126

Author(s):

R Islam ◽

MM Hossain ◽

F Nargis ◽

ME Hossain

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Feed Additives ◽

The Body ◽

The Other ◽

Control Group ◽

Meat Production ◽

Broiler Chicks ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Broiler Production

This study was conducted to observe the effect of different administration method of garlic and neem on growth performances, feed efficiency and serum biochemical parameters for safe broiler production. The experiment was done for a period of 32 days with 384 one-day-old straight run broiler chicks. The broiler chicks were divided into six groups each of 64 birds and replicated to four subgroups each of 16 birds. The dietary groups were; control (basal diet; no additives), antibiotic (basal diet + antibiotic), garlic in feed (basal diet + 0.25% garlic powder), garlic in water (basal diet + garlic extracts), neem in feed (basal diet + 0.25% neem powder) and neem in water (basal diet + neem extracts). Results showed that the body weight and body weight gain increased significantly (P<0.05) in both the garlic and neem groups compared to the control group. Feed intake was not different (P>0.05) among the treatment groups. Garlic in feed and water and neem in feed groups showed better FCR (P<0.05) compared to the other treatment groups. There were no significant (P>0.05) difference in meat yield, bone development and dressing parameters except head and gizzard in different dietary groups. Supplementation of garlic with feed and water significantly (P<0.05) decrease cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL compared to the other groups. However, both the garlic and neem groups showed numerically higher HDL compare to the control group. There were no 0significant (P>0.05) differences in serum glucose and GPT among different treatment groups. GOT was significantly (P<0.05) lower in neem groups than that of garlic and antibiotic groups. Additive groups showed higher profitability than control group. Based on the results of the study, it may be suggested that the garlic and neem could be used both in feed and water as potential feed additives for safe broiler production. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2019. 48 (2): 116-126

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The Effect of Exogenous Bile Acids on Antioxidant Status and Gut Microbiota in Heat-Stressed Broiler Chickens

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.747136 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Chang Yin ◽

Bing Xia ◽

Shanlong Tang ◽

Aizhi Cao ◽

Lei Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Bile Acids ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Antioxidant Status ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Lipid Absorption ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Sequencing Analysis ◽

Crypt Depth

Bile acids are critical for lipid absorption, however, their new roles in maintaining or regulating systemic metabolism are irreplaceable. The negative impacts of heat stress (HS) on growth performance, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant status have been reported, but it remains unknown whether the bile acids (BA) composition of broiler chickens can be affected by HS. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the modulating effects of the environment (HS) and whether dietary BA supplementation can benefit heat-stressed broiler chickens. A total of 216 Arbor Acres broilers were selected with a bodyweight approach average and treated with thermal neutral (TN), HS (32°C), or HS-BA (200 mg/kg BA supplementation) from 21 to 42 days. The results showed that an increase in average daily gain (P < 0.05) while GSH-Px activities (P < 0.05) in both serum and liver were restored to the normal range were observed in the HS-BA group. HS caused a drop in the primary BA (P = 0.084, 38.46%) and Tauro-conjugated BA (33.49%) in the ileum, meanwhile, the secondary BA in the liver and cecum were lower by 36.88 and 39.45% respectively. Notably, results were consistent that SBA levels were significantly increased in the serum (3-fold, P = 0.0003) and the ileum (24.89-fold, P < 0.0001). Among them, TUDCA levels (P < 0.01) were included. Besides, BA supplementation indeed increased significantly TUDCA (P = 0.0154) and THDCA (P = 0.0003) levels in the liver, while ileal TDCA (P = 0.0307), TLCA (P = 0.0453), HDCA (P = 0.0018), and THDCA (P = 0.0002) levels were also increased. Intestinal morphology of ileum was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, birds fed with BA supplementation reduced (P = 0.0431) crypt depth, and the ratio of villous height to crypt depth trended higher (P = 0.0539) under the heat exposure. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that dietary supplementation with BA resulted in upregulation of FXR (P = 0.0369), ASBT (P = 0.0154), and Keap-1 (P = 0.0104) while downregulation of iNOS (P = 0.0399) expression in ileum. Moreover, 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis and relevance networks revealed that HS-derived changes in gut microbiota and BA metabolites of broilers may affect their resistance to HS. Thus, BA supplementation can benefit broiler chickens during high ambient temperatures, serving as a new nutritional strategy against heat stress.

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Effects of Xylo-Oligosaccharides on Growth and Gut Microbiota as Potential Replacements for Antibiotic in Weaning Piglets

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2021.641172 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Yuxia Chen ◽

Yining Xie ◽

Ruqing Zhong ◽

Lei Liu ◽

Changguang Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Short Chain ◽

Control Group ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Villus Height ◽

Crypt Depth ◽

Weaning Piglets

Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) is a well-known kind of oligosaccharide and extensively applied as a prebiotic. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of XOS supplementation substituting chlortetracycline (CTC) on growth, gut morphology, gut microbiota, and hindgut short chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents of weaning piglets. A total of 180 weaned piglets were randomly allocated to three treatments for 28 days, as follows: control group (basal diet, CON), basal diet with 500 mg/kg (XOS500) XOS, and positive control (basal diet with 100 mg/kg CTC). Compared with the CON group, the piglets in the XOS500 group improved body weight (BW) on days 28, average daily gain (ADG) and reduced feed: gain ratio during days 1–28 (P < 0.05). The XOS500 supplementation increased Villus height and Villus height: Crypt depth ratio in the ileum (P < 0.05). Villus Height: Crypt Depth of the ileum was also increased in the CTC treatment group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the XOS500 supplementation increased significantly the numbers of goblet cells in the crypt of the cecum. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed distinct differences in microbial compositions between the ileum and cecum. XOS500 supplementation significantly increased the bacterial diversity. However, CTC treatment markedly reduced the microbial diversity (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, XOS500 supplementation in the diet significantly increased the abundance of Lactobacillus genus compared to the CON and CTC group in the ileum and cecum (P < 0.01), whereas the level of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Escherichia-Shigella, and Terrisporobacter genus in the XOS500 group were markedly lower than the CON and CTC group (P < 0.05). In addition, dietary supplementation with XOS500 significantly increased the total short-chain fatty acids, propionate and butyrate concentrations and decreased the acetate concentration compared to the CON group in the cecum (P < 0.05). In summary, dietary supplemented with XOS500 could enhance specific beneficial microbiota abundance and decrease harmful microbiota abundance to maintain the structure of the intestinal morphology and improve growth performance of weaned piglets. Thus, XOS may potentially function as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics in weaned piglets in modern husbandry.

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