scholarly journals Review: β-glucans as Effective Antibiotic Alternatives in Poultry

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 3560
Author(s):  
Betty Schwartz ◽  
Vaclav Vetvicka

The occurrence of microbial challenges in commercial poultry farming causes significant economic losses. Antibiotics have been used to control diseases involving bacterial infection in poultry. As the incidence of antibiotic resistance turns out to be a serious problem, there is increased pressure on producers to reduce antibiotic use. With the reduced availability of antibiotics, poultry producers are looking for feed additives to stimulate the immune system of the chicken to resist microbial infection. Some β-glucans have been shown to improve gut health, to increase the flow of new immunocytes, increase macrophage function, stimulate phagocytosis, affect intestinal morphology, enhance goblet cell number and mucin-2 production, induce the increased expression of intestinal tight-junctions, and function as effective anti-inflammatory immunomodulators in poultry. As a result, β-glucans may provide a new tool for producers trying to reduce or eliminate the use of antibiotics in fowl diets. The specific activity of each β-glucan subtype still needs to be investigated. Upon knowledge, optimal β-glucan mixtures may be implemented in order to obtain optimal growth performance, exert anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity, and optimized intestinal morphology and histology responses in poultry. This review provides an extensive overview of the current use of β glucans as additives and putative use as antibiotic alternative in poultry.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Shen ◽  
L.G. Christensen ◽  
S.Y. Bak ◽  
N. Christensen ◽  
K. Kragh

Thymol and cinnamaldehyde are phytogenic feed additives that have been developed to improve gut health, immunity and growth performance in poultry and swine. This study evaluated the immune modulating effects of a thymol and cinnamaldehyde blend (TCB) in the intestinal system of poultry in vitro, using two chicken cell lines, LMH (liver cell line) which has been used to mimic epithelial cell responses, and HD-11 (monocyte/macrophage-like). Cells with high viability (>95%) from established cell lines were cultured in the presence of TCB at concentrations ranging from 1 ng/ml to 100 ng/ml. The viability, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and phagocytic capacity of co-cultured LMH cells, with or without stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), was subsequently evaluated. The expression of cytokines, chemokines and pattern recognition receptors by HD-11 monocytes/macrophages was measured by RT-PCR and by proteomic analysis. TCB was well tolerated by both cell lines (cell viability >90% after co-culture with TCB at 100 ng/ml for 48 h with or without LPS). Epithelial integrity of LMH cells (as assessed by TEER) was increased by TCB (10 ng/ml) after 4 h incubation, versus untreated controls, and phagocytic capacity of HD-11 cells was increased, in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). In HD-11 cells, TCB (10 ng/ml) downregulated the relative expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and the transcription factor cyclooxygenase-2 and upregulated expression of anti-inflammatory IL-10, versus untreated controls (P<0.05). In summary, under the tested conditions, TCB enhanced the epithelial barrier integrity of poultry hepatocytes, increased phagocytic activity and production of anti-inflammatory cytokines by monocytes and macrophages. These results indicated how supplementing TCB in poultry diets can increase bird performance, by increasing in vivo cell membrane integrity (especially important in the gut) and assisting in immune responses, which can liberate energy for growth.


Author(s):  
Arup Kalita ◽  
M. Talukdar ◽  
K. Sarma ◽  
P.C. Kalita ◽  
C. Gautam ◽  
...  

Background: Neonatal and early post-weaned piglet mortality causes huge economic losses to the farmers. The beneficial effect of probiotic and zinc in respect to the gut health in piglets has already been established. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate age-related changes and the effect of dietary inclusion of probiotic and zinc on morphological and morphometrical characteristics on villi and crypts of the small intestine in pre and post-weaned piglets.Methods: A total of 18 Large White Yorkshire piglets, irrespective of sex were divided into three different age-groups [pre-weaning (20 days old, n = 3) and, post-weaning (30 days old, n = 3) and (60 days old, n = 3)]. The piglets were weaned at 28 days of age. They were divided into control group (C) fed with basal diet and treatment group (T) fed with combined probiotic and zinc oral supplement along with the basal diet. After sacrifice the animals, tissue samples were collected and processed for routine stain and SEM. The alterations on morphology and morphometry of villi and crypts were recorded both in the control and treatment group of piglets. Result: The villus height and width and crypt depth and width were increased, however, the villus crypt ratio was found to be lower in the treatment group of piglets. The villus and crypt enlargement factor showing higher numerical values in the piglets fed with probiotic and zinc than the control group of piglets. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a clear extrusion zone with prominent shedding of cells in the villi of jejunum and ileum in the treatment group of piglets at day 30 and 60.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaogang Chen ◽  
Wenjing Sun ◽  
Baichang Xu ◽  
Enyun Wu ◽  
Yao Cui ◽  
...  

Cyclophosphamide (CTX), a common anticancer drug, can cause a variety of side effects such as immunosuppression and intestinal mucosal injury. Polysaccharides are the major bioactive components of the roots of Millettia Speciosa Champ and have gained attention for their immunomodulatory activity. This study was designed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of Millettia Speciosa Champ polysaccharide (MSCP) on CTX-induced mice and the possible mechanism. The results showed that MSCP attenuated the CTX-induced decrease in body weight and immune organ indices in mice and promoted the secretion of immune-related cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α, and IgG). Meanwhile, MSCP restored intestinal morphology, increased the ratio of villus height/crypt depth (V/C), and improved the number of goblet cells and mucins expression. At the mRNA level, MSCP activated the TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB p65 pathway and enhanced the expression of genes related to intestinal mucosal integrity (Occludin1, Claudin1, and MUC-2). In addition, MSCP as a prebiotic improved microbial community diversity, regulated the relative abundance of dominant microbiota from the phylum level to the genus level, restored CTX-induced gut microbial dysbiosis, and promoted short-chain fatty acid production in mice. Based on the present findings, MSCP may modulate the immune response depending on enhancing intestinal health, suggesting that MSCP holds promise as a promising immunostimulant in functional foods and drugs.


AMB Express ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danish Sharafat Rajput ◽  
Dong Zeng ◽  
Abdul Khalique ◽  
Samia Sharafat Rajput ◽  
Hesong Wang ◽  
...  

AbstractNecrotic enteritis (NE) is being considered as one of the most important intestinal diseases in the recent poultry production systems, which causes huge economic losses globally. NE is caused by Clostridium perfringens, a pathogenic bacterium, and normal resident of the intestinal microflora of healthy broiler chickens. Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of broiler chicken is considered as the most integral part of pathogen’s entrance, their production and disease prevention. Interaction between C. perfringens and other pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella present in the small intestine may contribute to the development of NE in broiler chickens. The antibiotic therapy was used to treat the NE; however European Union has imposed a strict ban due to the negative implications of drug resistance. Moreover, antibiotic growth promoters cause adverse effects on human health as results of withdrawal of antibiotic residues in the chicken meat. After restriction on use of antibiotics, numerous studies have been carried out to investigate the alternatives to antibiotics for controlling NE. Thus, possible alternatives to prevent NE are bio-therapeutic agents (Probiotics), prebiotics, organic acids and essential oils which help in nutrients digestion, immunity enhancement and overall broiler performance. Recently, probiotics are extensively used alternatives to antibiotics for improving host health status and making them efficient in production. The aim of review is to describe a replacement to antibiotics by using different microbial strains as probiotics such as bacteria and yeasts etc. having bacteriostatic properties which inhibit growth of pathogens and neutralize the toxins by different modes of action.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 86-86
Author(s):  
F P Y Tan ◽  
L F Wang ◽  
E Beltranena ◽  
R T Zijlstra

Abstract Beneficial effects of SCFA in modulating gut health stimulated interest on dietary strategies to increase intestinal microbial activity and digesta SCFA. Amylose has lower apparent ileal digestibility (AID) than amylopectin. In the large intestine, undigested starch is fermented by microbes producing SCFA. The objective was to determine effects of increasing dietary amylose on starch flow and metabolite profile along the intestinal tract in weaned pigs. Weaned pigs (n=32; initial BW, 8.4 kg) were randomly allocated to 4 diets containing 67% starch with 0, 20, 35, or 70% amylose in a randomized complete block design. On day 21, pigs were euthanized to collect digesta and feces for evaluating starch digestion and metabolite profiles. Apparent hindgut fermentation (AHF) was calculated as apparent total tract digestibility minus AID. Feed intake was 12% lower (P &lt; 0.05) and growth rate was 18% lower (P &lt; 0.05) for pigs fed 70% amylose than pigs fed 0, 20, or 35% amylose. Feed efficiency was greatest (P &lt; 0.05) for pigs fed with 35% amylose. The AID of starch was 44% lower (P &lt; 0.05) in pigs fed 70% amylose. Starch was completely digested by the proximal colon in pigs fed 0, 20, or 35% amylose, but AHF of starch was 14% greater (P &lt; 0.05) in pigs fed 70% amylose. Increasing dietary amylose did not alter digesta SCFA in the small intestine, but increased (P &lt; 0.05) digesta SCFA in the cecum, specifically acetate and total SCFA, and increased (P &lt; 0.05) propionate and valerate in all sections of the colon. In conclusion, increasing dietary amylose in weaned pigs stimulated hindgut fermentation of starch with a corresponding increase in digesta total SCFA in the cecum and colon. Optimizing dietary amylose may exert its effect as dietary prebiotic while promoting an optimal growth rate in young pigs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (17) ◽  
pp. 5880-5888 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. De Maesschalck ◽  
V. Eeckhaut ◽  
L. Maertens ◽  
L. De Lange ◽  
L. Marchal ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIn broiler chickens, feed additives, including prebiotics, are widely used to improve gut health and to stimulate performance. Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) are hydrolytic degradation products of arabinoxylans that can be fermented by the gut microbiota. In the current study, we aimed to analyze the prebiotic properties of XOS when added to the broiler diet. Administration of XOS to chickens, in addition to a wheat-rye-based diet, significantly improved the feed conversion ratio. XOS significantly increased villus length in the ileum. It also significantly increased numbers of lactobacilli in the colon andClostridiumcluster XIVa in the ceca. Moreover, the number of gene copies encoding the key bacterial enzyme for butyrate production, butyryl-coenzyme A (butyryl-CoA):acetate CoA transferase, was significantly increased in the ceca of chickens administered XOS. In this group of chickens, at the species level,Lactobacillus crispatusandAnaerostipes butyraticuswere significantly increased in abundance in the colon and cecum, respectively.In vitrofermentation of XOS revealed cross-feeding betweenL. crispatusandA. butyraticus. Lactate, produced byL. crispatusduring XOS fermentation, was utilized by the butyrate-producingAnaerostipesspecies. These data show the beneficial effects of XOS on broiler performance when added to the feed, which potentially can be explained by stimulation of butyrate-producing bacteria through cross-feeding of lactate and subsequent effects of butyrate on gastrointestinal function.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 77-78
Author(s):  
Trey A Kellner ◽  
Josh Ellingson ◽  
Ana L P de Souza ◽  
Janet C Remus

Abstract The response to probiotics and enzymes is often documented in research facilities with a high degree of control and via pigs with no insults to health or feed intake. However, in commercial conditions, the response to feed additives promoting advanced gut health and improved digestion must be consistent and defined over a wide range of health statuses, stocking densities, feed intakes, environments, and diet formulations. The objective of this experiment was to determine if a combined feed protease and probiotic system (Syncra® SWI 201, DuPont, Wilmington, DE) would improve growth performance and mortality under commercial conditions. A total of 127,092 pigs (6.0 ± 0.1 kg; PIC 337 sired, Hendersonville, TN) from a sow farm producing porcine reproductive and respiratory virus and rotavirus positive weaned pigs were placed in 53 2,400-head commercial wean-to-finish barns that were alternated to 1 of 2 treatments (a control treatment without Syncra® SWI (SSWI) or with SSWI included at 72.6 g/ton of finished feed from 22.7 kg of BW to harvest) in a rolling allotment over a 12-month period. Pigs were on the experiment for an average of 162 ± 1.0 days (until harvest). Throughout the 12-month experimental period, diets (outside of the SSWI inclusion) could change in order to maximize return over feed costs. Data were analyzed using Proc MIXED (SAS 9.4; Cary, NC) with treatment as the main effect and barn as the experimental unit. Compared to the control, adding SSWI improved mortality by 1.9% and percent grade 1 marketed pigs by 2.2% (P ≤ 0.025). Compared to the control, SSWI did not improve ADG (control = 0.75 vs. SSWI = 0.78 kg) or gain:feed (control = 0.401 vs. SSWI = 0.396). In conclusion, the inclusion of the SSWI combined feed protease and probiotic system can improve mortality and grade 1 marketed pigs, but not growth performance under commercial conditions.


2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 1046 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Akhlaghi ◽  
M. J. Zamiri ◽  
Y. Jafari Ahangari ◽  
M. R. Mollasalehi ◽  
H. Shojaie ◽  
...  

An association between induced maternal hyperthyroidism and a decreased incidence of cold-induced ascites in broiler chickens has been reported recently. There are also reports suggesting that thyroid hormones have an effect on intestine, a high oxygen-demanding organ. The present study aimed to determine whether the ascites-attenuating effect of maternal hyperthyroidism is associated with morphological changes in intestine and with probable adverse effects on growth performance in progeny chicks. Eighty-eight broiler breeder hens were allotted to control or hyperthyroid [HYPER; thyroxine-treated] groups, and artificially inseminated. Hatching eggs (n = 924) were incubated and day-old male chicks (n = 288) were reared for 42 days under standard or low ambient temperature. Plasma thyroxine was higher in the HYPER hens and their embryos at internal pipping. Maternal hyperthyroidism did not adversely affect the feed : gain ratio and carcass weight, whereas cold stress impaired them. A higher relative weight was found at 42 days of age for all intestinal regions at low ambient temperature. The duodenal and jejunal crypt depths (CD) were lower in HYPER group at 7 days of age. Cold exposure decreased the duodenal and jejunal villus height and CD, and increased the ileal goblet cell number at 21 days. On Day 42, higher values were recorded for CD, goblet cell number, and epithelial thickness of different intestinal regions in cold-exposed birds. In conclusion, growth performance was not adversely influenced by maternal hyperthyroidism and its minimal early effect on intestinal morphology does not appear to be the underlying mechanism for decreased incidence of ascites in broilers.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dafei Yin ◽  
Youli Wang ◽  
Liqun Wang ◽  
Yuqin Wu ◽  
Xiaoyi Bian ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundThe use of newly harvested corn in feed causes wet droppings in broilers and increased feed cost which was termed as “new season grain problem”. The present study was conducted to evaluate the proteomic profile of newly harvested corn and the subsequent influence on intestinal microbiol community for broiler chickens. MethodsNewly harvested corn stored for either half a month (HM) or two months (TM) was used, and the pasting properties, total soluble sugars, and proteomic analysis technology was used to explore the influence of storage on natural aging corn properties. Additionally, seventy-two 7d Ross 308 male broiler chicken were fed with different stored corn. Apparent metabolizable energy (AME), digesta viscosity, intestinal morphology and microbiota were examined to explore the influence of feed corn storage on broiler chickens. ResultsPasting properties in the TM corn exhibited decreased viscoelastic properties. Proteomic studies found a total of 26 proteins that were differentially expressed between the two treatment groups. Proteins involved in starch and polysaccharides biosynthesis were upregulated in TM compared with HM. Chickens fed on TM diet had higher relative energy utilization compared to the HM birds. With increased corn storage, the relative digesta viscosity decreased significantly (P≤0.05). The total number of goblet cells and lymphocytes was lower in chickens fed the TM diet. The microbiota data showed that the TM chickens had decreased abundance of diarrheal bacteria such as Hungatella hathewayi and Bacteroides fragilis, and increased butyrate-producing bacteria such as Alistipes compared to the HM chickens. ConclusionsStorage of newly harvested corn induced the synthetic reaction of large molecules and changed the solubility of starch and protein with increasing soluble sugars and decreasing pasting properties that may improve the fermentation of intestinal microbiota, improve the energy utilization and protect gut health without the risk of diarrhea.


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