Effects of dietary polyherbal mixtures on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune function and jejunal health of yellow-feathered broilers

Effects of Ferulic Acid on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Oxidative Stress and Gut Microbiota Imbalance in Linwu Ducks

Oxidative stress is a major factor that limits the development of the poultry industry. Ferulic acid (FA) has an antioxidant effect in birds, but the mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, we stimulated oxidative stress in 28-day-old female Linwu ducks by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and fed them a diet supplemented with FA for 28 days. Results showed that FA alleviated LPS-induced growth performance regression, oxidative stress, and microbiota imbalance in ducks. An integrated metagenomics and metabolomics analysis revealed that s_Blautia_obeum, s_Faecalibacterium_prausnitzii, s_gemmiger_formicilis, and s_Ruminococcaceae_bacterium could be the biomarkers in the antioxidant effect of FA, which interacted with dihydro-3-coumaric acid, L-phenylalanine, and 13(S)-HODE, and regulated the phenylalanine metabolism and PPAR signaling pathway. This study revealed the mechanism of the antioxidant effect of FA, which provided evidence of applying FA as a new antioxidant in commercial duck production.

Bacillus subtilis fmbj ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal dysfunction in broilers by enhancing the SIRT1/PGC1α pathway

This study aimed to explore the impact of dietary Bacillus subtilis fmbj (BS) supplementation on acute intestinal dysfunction induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in broilers. One hundred and eighty 1-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into three treatment groups, each comprising ten replicates of 6 birds. On d 20, LPS-challenged (LPS group and LPS-BS group) and LPS-unchallenged (CON group) broilers received intraperitoneal injections of 1 mg/kg body weight LPS solution and an equivalent volume of sterile saline, respectively. Compared to the CON group, LPS disrupted (P < 0.05) the morphology of the small intestine (jejunum or ileum), exacerbated (P < 0.05) serum, small intestinal, and small intestinal mitochondrial antioxidant capacity, induced (P < 0.05) small intestinal oxidative damage, and altered (P < 0.05) the expression of genes and proteins related to antioxidants, cell adhesion, and mitochondrial function in the jejunum. The LPS-BS group exhibited a tendency towards improvement in small intestinal morphology, serum, small intestinal, and small intestinal mitochondrial antioxidant capacity, small intestinal oxidative damage, and the expression of genes and proteins related to antioxidants, cell adhesion, and mitochondrial function in the jejunum when compared to the LPS group. In conclusion, BS supplementation may confer protection against LPS-induced acute intestinal dysfunction in broilers by enhancing the activation of SIRT1/PGC1α, suggesting its potential as a valuable additive for the poultry industry.

Alpiniae oxyphyllae fructus improves production performance and egg quality of laying breeder hens by regulating reproductive hormones, antioxidant function, immunity and intestinal health

Alpiniae oxyphylla fructus was extensively utilized both as dietary supplements and traditional herbal medicines for healthcare functions and has exhibited a positive impact on animal health. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Alpiniae oxyphyllae fructus powder (AOP) on production performance, egg quality, egg yolk fatty acid composition, reproductive hormones, antioxidant capacity, immunity, anti-apoptosis ability, and intestinal health in hens. A total of 252 Hainan Wenchang laying hens (30-wk-old) were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 replicates, a basic diet with 0 (CON), 1 g/kg AOP (AOP1), and 3 g/kg (AOP3) mixed AOP. The AOP supplementation was found to decrease the feed conversion ratio and embryo mortality but to increase the laying rate, average egg weight, and oviduct index linearly (p < 0.05). Furthermore, AOP treatment reduced the total saturated fatty acids and palmitic acid (C16:0) in the egg yolk while increasing eggshell strength, albumen height, and Haugh unit (p < 0.05). The serum levels of albumin and phosphorus were increased, whereas total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose levels decreased as a result of AOP treatment (p < 0.05). The inclusion of 3 g/kg AOP had higher 17 β-estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in serum, while it up-regulated follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and gonadotropin-releasing hormone expression in ovary (p < 0.05). Dietary AOP strengthened the expression of nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 in ovary and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity, but had a lower malondialdehyde content in serum (p < 0.05). AOP at 3 g/kg up-regulated superoxide dismutase 1 and heme oxygenase 1 expression in jejunum and ovary (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, AOP supplementation down-regulated p53 expression in ovary and bcl-2-associated x expression in liver and jejunum, especially 3 g/kg of AOP had lower caspase-8 concentrations and down-regulated bcl-2-associated x and caspase-3 expression in ovary (p < 0.05). AOP treatment increased serum levels of immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M and upregulated interleukin-4 expression in the liver, while decreasing interleukin-1β expression in liver and ovary and nod-like receptor protein 3 expression in jejunum (p < 0.05). Dietary AOP increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth but decreased crypt depth in jejunum, especially when 1 g/kg AOP increased expression levels of occludin, mucin-2, peptide-transporter 1, and sodium glucose cotransporter 1 in jejunum (p < 0.05). AOP treatment altered the composition of the cecal microbial community, as evidenced by increased abundance of Oscillospira and Phascolarctobacterium and reduced richness of Clostridiaceae_Clostridium. Dietary AOP supplementation enriched lipid, amino acid, and propanoate metabolism. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that the genera Oscillospira, Blautia, and Megasphaera were related to laying performance and intestinal integrity. In brief, supplementation of AOP, especially at 3 g/kg, could improve production performance and egg quality of hens via modulating reproductive hormones, antioxidant capacity, immunity, intestinal barrier, and cecal microbiota. Overall, the present work recommends the dietary inclusion of AOP as a beneficial additive for improving the performance of hens.

Fermented Astragalus Powder, a New Potential Feed Additive for Broilers to Improve the Growth Performance and Health

A total of 320 1-day-old broilers were randomly divided into five groups. The control group (CON) received a basal diet, while the FAP4, FAP2, and FAP1 groups were provided with the basal diet supplemented with 4%, 2%, and 1% fermented Astragalus powder, respectively. The unfermented Astragalus powder (UAP2) group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 2% UAP. Each group contained eight replicates of eight chicks each. The results revealed that the final BW and ADG in the FAP 1 and FAP2 were higher than those in the UAP2 and CON groups, while reducing F/G from day 14 to day 42. On day 42, the thymus index in the UAP and FAP groups as well as the bursa index in the FAP4 group showed significant increases compared to those in the CON group. Supplementation with 2% FAP elevated serum IgA levels in broilers on day 28 and day 42, and it also increased serum IgG levels on day 42. Furthermore, supplementation with 2% FAP elevated serum albumin (ALB) levels in broilers, while supplementation with 4% FAP increased serum (glucose) GLU levels in broilers on day 28. The serum biochemical parameters and pathological observation of the liver and kidney in the groups did not show any adverse effects on broilers' health. In addition, the serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) level significantly increased in the FAP4 and FAP2 groups on day 28, and the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in both serum and liver tissue decreased in the FAP2 group on day 28 and day 42. Compared to the CON group, 2% FAP and 2% UAP supplementation reduced the relative abundance of Bacteroides and supplementation with 2% FAP increased the relative abundance of Alistipes on day 42. In conclusion, the dietary supplementation of FAP can enhance the growth performance, immune function, and antioxidant capacity and regulate microflora in broilers, of which 2% FAP is more effective. It indicates FAP exhibits significant application potential as a promising feed additive for broilers.

Effects of different addition levels of CHM-JM113 on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, organ index, and intestinal health of AA broilers

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of different levels of a Chinese herbal medicine formulation combined with JM113 (CHM-JM113) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, organ index, and intestinal health of AA broilers. The AA broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 5 treatments as follows: a basic diet for the control group, the basic diet supplemented with 0.25% CHM-JM113, 0.5% CHM-JM113, 1% CHM-JM113 and 2% CHM-JM113 for the treatment group, respectively. The results showed that the addition of CHM-JM113 to the diet significantly reduced the mortality (p < 0.01) and improved the European Broiler Index (EBI) (p < 0.05), whereas it had no significance on growth performance of AA broilers (p > 0.05). Comparing the control group, 0.5 and 1% CHM-JM113 group significantly improved the organ index of liver, spleen and bursa (p < 0.05). In terms of intestinal morphology and structure, the addition of different levels of CHM-JM113 increased VH and VH/CD ratio, decreased CD in the small intestine compared to the control group, with 1 and 2% of the additive dose being more effective (p < 0.05). Chinese herbal medicine and probiotics as natural antioxidants also significantly increased the content of SOD in serum of 21-day-old broilers (p < 0.01), and significantly decreased the content of MDA in serum (p < 0.01). At 42 days of age, the addition of 1 and 2% CHM-JM113 significantly increased the content of SOD (p < 0.01) and significantly decreased the content of MDA in the organism (p < 0.01), accompanied by a significant increase in T-AOC and CAT content. In the study of the effect of CHM-JM113 on intestinal immunity, compared with the control group, we found that 1% or 2% CHM-JM113 had a better effect on the expression of occludin and claudin-1 in the intestinal segments of broilers (p < 0.05). For the expression of GATA-3, 0.5% CHM-JM113 may have a better effect (p < 0.05). CHM-JM113 may be used as an antibiotic alternative in broiler production.

Effects of Dietary Callicarpa nudiflora Aqueous Extract Supplementation on Growth Performance, Growth Hormone, Antioxidant and Immune Function, and Intestinal Health of Broilers

C. nudiflora is notably rich in flavonoids and phenylethanoid glycosides, making it a significant natural source of antioxidants. We examined the effects of C. nudiflora aqueous extract (CNE) on growth performance, antioxidant function, immunity, intestinal barrier function, nutrient transporters, and microbiota of broilers. A total of 360 one-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: a basal diet with 0 (control, CON), 300 mg/kg (CNEL), 500 mg/kg (CNEM), and 700 mg/kg (CNEH) CNE for 42 days. CNEL and CNEM groups quadratically increased body weight and average daily gain but decreased feed-to-gain ratios during the starter and whole phases. Regarding the immune response of broilers, CNE treatment linearly down-regulated jejunal myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) expression and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interferon-γ expression in the liver (d 21), while decreasing jejunal IL-1β expression and the concentration of serum tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 (d 42). The CNEM and CNEH groups had lower MyD88 and nuclear factor kappa B expression in the liver (d 21) compared to the CON group. Broilers in the CNEL and CNEM groups had higher spleen index and thymus index (d 21) and interleukin-10 expression from the liver and jejunal mucosa (d 42) than that in the CON group. For the antioxidant capacity of broilers, CNE treatment linearly decreased the content of malonaldehyde and increased the activity of total antioxidant capacity in serum (d 42). CNEM and CNEH groups linearly increased the activity of superoxide dismutase in serum and heme oxygenase-1 expression in the liver, while increasing the activity of glutathione peroxidase in serum, jejunal nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 expression, and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 expression in the liver (d 42). As for the growth hormone of broilers, CNEM group increased the level of serum insulin-like growth factor 1 and up-regulated jejunal glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) expression (d 21). Broilers in the CNEM and CNEH groups had higher jejunal GLP-2 expression and growth hormone (GH) expression in the liver and the level of serum GH (d 42) than that in the CON group. Additionally, the villus height and jejunal Occludin and Claudin-1 expression in the CNEM group increased. CNE-containing diets resulted in a linear increase in the expression of jejunal zonula occluden-1 (d 21), villus height to crypt depth ratio, jejunal Occludin, excitatory amino acid transporters-3, and peptide-transporter 1 (d 42). The regulation of Oscillospira, Ruminococcaceae_Ruminococcus, and Butyricicoccus genera indicated that CNEH altered the composition of the cecal microbiota. In general, supplementing broilers with C. nudiflora aqueous extract could boost hormones, immune and antioxidant function, and gut health, improving their growth performance. Hence, CNE was a promising poultry feed additive, with 500 mg/kg appearing to be the optimal dose.

Effects of a dietary isoquinoline alkaloids blend on gut antioxidant capacity and gut barrier of young broilers

Extensive mechanistic evidence to support the beneficial function of dietary phytobiotic applications for broiler performance, gut function and health is highly warranted. In particular, for isoquinoline alkaloids (IQ) the underlying mechanisms related to critical gut homeostasis components such as cytoprotection and gut barrier are scarce, especially for young broilers at the starter growth stage (d1-10). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a standardized blend of IQs on the relative gene expression of critical biomarkers relevant for antioxidant response and barrier function along the intestine of young broilers at the end of starter growth phase. For this purpose, 182 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were allocated in 2 treatments with 7 replicates of 13 broilers each: control diet-no other additions (NC), and control diet containing a standardized blend of IQs at 200 mg/kg of diet (M) for the starter growth period (1-10d). The results revealed that the IQs blend significantly upregulated (P < 0.05) the expression of genes related to antioxidant response in all intestinal segments. Moreover, the IQs blend enhanced (P < 0.05) gut barrier components primarily at duodenal level. In conclusion, the blend of IQs beneficially affected critical pathway components relevant for the gut antioxidant capacity and barrier along the intestine of young broilers.

Effects of Lonicerae flos and Turmeric extracts on growth performance and intestinal health of yellow-feathered broilers

This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of Lonicerae flos and Turmeric extracts (LTE) added to diets on growth performance and intestinal health of broilers. A total of 720 healthy 21-day-old yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups, with 6 replicates and 40 broilers per replicate. These 3 dietary treatments included a basal diet + 0 g/t LTE (CON), a basal diet + 300 g/t LTE (LTE300), and a basal diet + 500 g/t LTE (LTE500). The results showed that dietary supplementation of LTE linearly increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (d 21-38) and average daily feed intake (d 21-60). At d 60, LTE300 had the highest serum total antioxidant capacity and total superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05), and LTE500 had the lowest malondialdehyde level (P < 0.05) among the three groups. Moreover, compared to CON, LTE300 significantly (P < 0.05) reduced endotoxin (d 38 and d 60) and diamine oxidase activity (d 38); LTE500 significantly (P < 0.05) reduced endotoxin (d 38 and d 60) and diamine oxidase levels (d 60) in the serum. LTE groups significantly (P < 0.05) increased ileal the ratio of villus height to crypt depth and serum immunoglobulin G. Furthermore, dietary supplementation of LTE also improved the intestinal epithelial barrier by the up-regulated mRNA expression of Claudin-1, Occludin and zonula occludens-1, and decreased the mRNA expression of interleukin-2, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor κB, myeloid differentiation factor 88 and toll-like receptor 4. Compared to CON, 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed that LTE300 had a better effect on the microbial diversity and composition in the ileum, and Bacillus and Lactobacillus_agilis were significantly enriched in LTE300. PICRUSt results showed that LTE300 was significantly (P < 0.05) enriched in four pathway pathways at KEGG level 2. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with LTE improved growth performance and intestinal health by enhancing antioxidant capacity, intestinal barrier and immune function, and regulating intestinal flora of yellow-feathered broilers.

Dietary Chinese herbal mixture supplementation improves production performance by regulating reproductive hormones, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and intestinal health of broiler breeders

Chinese herbs have been used as feed additives and are commonly utilized in domestic intensive livestock farming. However, their impact on the production performance and intestinal health of broiler breeders has yet to be thoroughly explored. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a Chinese herbal mixture (CHM) on the production performance of broiler breeders in terms of reproductive hormones, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and intestinal health of broiler breeders. A total of 336 thirty-wk-old hens were randomly allotted to 4 groups with 6 replicates of fourteen hens each, which fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (CON), 500 (CHM500), 1,000 (CHM1000), and 1,500 (CHM1500) mg/kg CHM for 56 days, respectively. Our results showed that dietary supplementation with CHM1000 increased the laying rate and number of SYF and decreased the feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). All CHM groups increased oviduct and ovarian indexes, serum E2 and T-AOC levels, and decreased serum TG and MDA levels compared with CON (P < 0.05). In comparison to the CON group, the CHM1000 and CHM1500 groups increased serum ALB, IgM, and IL-10 levels, whereas the CHM1000 group also increased serum TP and SOD levels, and the CHM1500 group increased serum P and decreased serum TNF-α (P < 0.05). The addition of CHM increased FSHR expressions in the ovary, Claudin-1 expressions in the jejunum, and SOD1 expressions in the liver and ovary, but decreased the mRNA expressions of INH in the ovary as well as IL-2 and IL-6 expressions in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Moreover, CHM500 and CHM1000 groups increased CAT, GPx, and HO-1 expression in the ovary, and SOD1 and GPx expression in the jejunum, while decreasing IL-17A expression in the jejunum (P < 0.05). In addition, CHM1000 and CHM1500 groups increased villus height, VCR, and the mRNA expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, Occludin, and MUC2 in the jejunum, and IL-10 expression in the ovary, while decreasing IL-2 and IL-17A expression in the ovary, in addition to increasing GPx, Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and IL-10 expression in the liver (P < 0.05). Supplementation with CHM1000 increased ESR-α, ESR-β, GnRH, Nrf2, and NQO1 expression in the ovary, but decreased IFN-γ expression in the ovary as well as crypt depth in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Supplementing CHM1500 increased NQO1 and ZO-1 expression in the jejunum and decreased IL-2 in the liver (P < 0.05). The high-throughput sequencing results showed that dietary CHM1000 supplementation altered the composition of the intestinal microbiota, as evidenced by the regulation of the genera Lactobacillus, Faecalibacterium, and Phascolarctobacterium. PICRUSt analysis revealed that metabolic pathways of bacterial chemotaxis, butanoate metabolism, and synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies were enriched in the CHM1000 group. Spearman's correlation analysis indicated that the differentiated genera were significantly associated with the production performance, serum hormone, and gut barrier-related genes. Taken together, supplementation of CHM, especially at 1,000 mg/kg, could improve production performance by regulating reproductive hormones, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and intestinal health of broiler breeders, and maybe provide insights into its application as a potential feed additive to promote the performance of broiler breeders.

Effects of dietary Chinese herbal mixtures on productive performance, egg quality, immune status, caecal and offspring meconial microbiota of Wenchang breeder hens

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Chinese herbal mixtures (CHMs) on productive performance, egg quality, immune status, anti-apoptosis ability, caecal microbiota, and offspring meconial microbiota in hens. A total of 168 thirty-week-old Wenchang breeder hens were randomly divided into two groups, with each group comprising six replicate pens of fourteen hens. The groups were fed a basal diet (CON group) and a basal diet with 1,000 mg/kg CHMs (CHMs group) for 10 weeks. Our results showed that dietary supplementation with CHMs increased the laying rate, average egg weight, hatch of fertile, and offspring chicks' weight while concurrently reducing the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and embryo mortality (p < 0.05). The addition of CHMs resulted in significant improvements in various egg quality parameters, including eggshell strength, albumen height, haugh unit, and the content of docosatetraenoic acid (C20:4n-6) in egg yolk (p < 0.05). The supplementation of CHMs had a greater concentration of IgA and IgG while decreasing the content of IL-6 in serum compared with the CON group (p < 0.05). Addition of CHMs to the diet increased the expression of Bcl-2 and IL-4 in liver and ovary, decreased the expression of IL-1β, Bax, and Caspase-8 in jejunum and ovary, and decreased the expression of NF-κB in liver, jejunum, and ovary (p < 0.05). Moreover, dietary CHMs reduced the abundance of Desulfovibrio in caecal microbiota as well as decreased the abundance of Staphylococcaceae_Staphylococcus and Pseudomonadaceae_Pseudomonas in the offspring meconial microbiota (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the CHMs could improve productive parameters by enhancing immune status, anti-apoptosis capacity, and modulating the caecal microbiota of Wenchang breeder hens, as well as maintaining the intestinal health of the offspring chicks.

Feeding laying hens with lactobacilli improves internal egg quality and animal health

Feeding animals with lactobacilli strains is a biotechnological strategy to improve production, food quality, and animal health. Thus, this study aimed to select new lactic acid bacteria (LAB) able to improve laying hens health and egg production. Forty Bovans White layers (two days old) were randomly divided into four experimental groups that receive an oral gavage with saline solution (control group) or with one of the three lactobacilli selected (KEG3, TBB10, and KMG127) by their antagonistic activity against the foodborne pathogen Bacillus cereus GGD_EGG01. 16 S rRNA sequencing identified KEG3 as Lentilactobacillus sp., and TBB10 and KMG127 as Lactiplantibacillus sp. The data showed that feeding birds with LAB increased weight uniformity and improved the internal quality of the eggs (high yolk index and Haugh unit) compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Beta-diversity analysis showed that LAB supplementation modifies the cecal microbiota of laying hens. The prokaryotic families Bacteroidaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Rikenellaceae, and Lactobacillaceae were most important to the total dissimilarity of the cecal microbial community (calculated by SIMPER test). At end of in vivo experiments, it was possible to conclude that the feed of laying hens with Lentilactobacillus sp. TBB10 and Lentilactobacillus sp. KEG3 can be an important biotechnological tool for improving food quality and animal health.