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Chen S, Liu J, Luo S, Xing L, Li W, Gong L. The Effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SC06 on Behavior and Brain Function in Broilers Infected by Clostridium perfringens. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1547. [PMID: 38891594 PMCID: PMC11171150 DOI: 10.3390/ani14111547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Poultry studies conducted on Clostridium perfringens (CP) mainly focus on the effects of intestinal health and productive performance. Notably, the probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SC06 (BaSC06) is known to play a role in preventing bacterial infection. However, whether CP could induce the changes in brain function and behaviors and whether BaSC06 could play roles in these parameters is yet to be reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of BaSC06 on stress-related behaviors and gene expression, as well as the brain morphology and mRNA sequence of the hypothalamus in broiler chickens. A total of 288 one-day-old chicks were randomly divided into four groups: (1) a control group with no treatment administered or infection; (2) birds treated with the BaSC06 group; (3) a CP group; and (4) a BaSC06 plus CP (Ba_CP) group. The results showed that stress and fear-related behaviors were significantly induced by a CP infection and decreased due to the treatment of BaSC06. CP infection caused pathological damage to the pia and cortex of the brain, while BaSC06 showed a protective effect. CP significantly inhibited hypothalamic GABA and promoted HTR1A gene expression, while BaSC06 promoted GABA and decreased HTR1A gene expression. The different genes were nearly found between the comparisons of control vs. Ba group and Ba vs. CP group, while there were a great number of different genes between the comparisons of control vs. Ba_CP as well as CP vs. Ba_CP. Several different gene expression pathways were found that were related to disease, energy metabolism, and nervous system development. Our results will help to promote poultry welfare and health, as well as provide insights into probiotics to replace antibiotics and reduce resistance in the chicken industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528250, China; (S.C.); (J.L.); (S.L.); (L.X.)
| | - Jinling Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528250, China; (S.C.); (J.L.); (S.L.); (L.X.)
| | - Shuyan Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528250, China; (S.C.); (J.L.); (S.L.); (L.X.)
| | - Limin Xing
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528250, China; (S.C.); (J.L.); (S.L.); (L.X.)
| | - Weifen Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Feed and Nutrition of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Sciences, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Li Gong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528250, China; (S.C.); (J.L.); (S.L.); (L.X.)
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Van Poucke E, Suchánková H, Jensen P. Commercial hatchery processing may affect susceptibility to stress in laying hens. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291324. [PMID: 37695788 PMCID: PMC10495002 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Directly upon hatching, laying hen chicks are exposed to multiple stressful events during large-scale hatchery processing, which may affect their later coping abilities. Commercial hatchery chicks (HC) were compared to chicks that were incubated and hatched simultaneously under calm conditions (CC). After being raised under similar, non-stressful conditions for 36 days, all chicks were exposed to a series of stressors: transportation and introduction into a novel environment followed by a regrouping event in order to characterize long-lasting consequences of hatchery treatment. Tonic immobility, corticosterone levels, and peripheral body temperature were used to assess reactions to the stress events. Tonic immobility was not affected by treatment but was significantly reduced in CC after transport. Corticosterone levels did not differ between treatments when assessed two days before and two days after regrouping. Comb temperature was significantly higher in HC following regrouping, indicating stress-induced hyperthermia. Furthermore, comb temperature dropped more following blood sampling in HC than in CC, indicating a stronger autonomic response to acute stress. In conclusion, the results suggest possible long-term negative effects of commercial hatchery processing, compared to hatching under silent and less stressful conditions, on the coping ability of laying hens to later stressful experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enya Van Poucke
- IFM Biology, AVIAN Behavioural Physiology and Genomics Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Hedvika Suchánková
- IFM Biology, AVIAN Behavioural Physiology and Genomics Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per Jensen
- IFM Biology, AVIAN Behavioural Physiology and Genomics Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Schürmann P, Becker S, Krause ET, Hillemacher S, Büscher W, Tiemann I. Exploratory Study on Individual Locomotor Activity in Local Dual-Purpose and Commercial Breeder Pullets. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2879. [PMID: 37760281 PMCID: PMC10525440 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Improving animal welfare is a prerequisite for the societal acceptance of poultry production. Support for improvements requires practical tools to quantify animal welfare and identify predispositions at the individual level, where possible. In this study, the activities and behavior of dual-purpose chickens (N = 245) and commercial breeders (N = 224) were analyzed. The general locomotor activity (GLA) data were collected using an RFID system over five days with 9-to-14-week-old animals. The results show that the animals of comparable age and stocking density differed from each other in their activity (p ≤ 0.001) according to breed, but no sex differences were observed (p = 0.159). No correlations were found between GLA and plumage condition (p > 0.05). The individual variations within the breeds are presented and discussed on an animal-by-animal level, providing new insights into the individual behavioral variability of chickens. The RFID systems can reliably generate GLA data that help to understand the potential interplay between behavior and animal welfare. The technology is also suitable for creating individual (personality) profiles that can be used for breeding. With a better understanding of the role of activity, husbandry and management practices can be adapted to improve animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Schürmann
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Faculty, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany; (P.S.); (S.H.); (W.B.); (I.T.)
| | - Senta Becker
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Faculty, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany; (P.S.); (S.H.); (W.B.); (I.T.)
| | - E. Tobias Krause
- Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, 29223 Celle, Germany;
| | - Sonja Hillemacher
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Faculty, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany; (P.S.); (S.H.); (W.B.); (I.T.)
| | - Wolfgang Büscher
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Faculty, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany; (P.S.); (S.H.); (W.B.); (I.T.)
| | - Inga Tiemann
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Faculty, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany; (P.S.); (S.H.); (W.B.); (I.T.)
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Schwarzer A, Erhard M, Schmidt P, Zismann M, Louton H. Effects of Stocking Rate and Environmental Enrichment on the Ontogeny of Pecking Behavior of Laying Hen Pullets Confined in Aviary Compartments during the First 4 Weeks of Life. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192639. [PMID: 36230380 PMCID: PMC9558533 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to describe the ontogeny of the severe feather pecking (SFP), gentle feather pecking (GFP), aggressive pecking (AP), and enrichment pecking (EP) of non-beak-trimmed Lohmann Brown (LB)-pullets during the first 4 weeks of life (observation on 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th days of life) while they were kept within the compartments of a commercial rearing aviary (without access to a litter area). All chicks were placed into compartments of the middle tier of the aviary on the 1st day of life. On the 10th day of life, half of the chicks of each compartment were moved into the compartments of the lower tier. The aviary floor was covered with chick paper before the placement of the chicks and fully or partially removed from the 15th day of life onwards. The pecking behavior patterns were observed in three experimental groups (EG): NE (not enriched): group size until/after 10th day of life: 230/115; 120.8/60.4 birds/m2, no enrichment; EL (enriched, low stocking rate): group size until/after 10th day of life: 203/101, 106.6/53.6 birds/m2; and EH (enriched, high stocking rate): group size until/after 10th day of life: 230/115;120.8/60.4 birds/m2, both pecking stones and blocks as enrichment) in two rearing periods. For each pecking behavior pattern, an independent regression model with the parameters EG, chick paper, observation day, and functional area was estimated. GFP, SFP, and EP increased with age during the observation. The AP rate was highest in all EGs on the first day of life and decreased during the observation period. A pairwise comparison of NE (high stocking rate without enrichment) with EH (high stocking rate with enrichment and with EL (low stocking rate with enrichment) showed a significant effect of the EG on pecking behavior, with more SFP, AP, and GFP in NE. There were no differences between EL and EH, indicating that the provision of pecking materials had more influence than the stocking rate. However, we presumed that the difference between the stocking rates were too small to observe an effect. AP, SFP, and GFP were significantly higher on wired slats, as compared to the perches and the vicinity of the enrichment materials. The enrichment materials were suitable and intensely used by the pullets. The provision of pecking blocks and pecking stones was recommended as a preventive measure from the first day of life onwards for pullets housed in commercial rearing aviaries. There was no effect of reduced stocking rate, most likely due to the low variation in stocking rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Schwarzer
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chair of Animal Welfare, Ethology, Animal Hygiene and Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinaerstrasse 13/R, 80539 Munich, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-89-2180-78-300
| | - Michael Erhard
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chair of Animal Welfare, Ethology, Animal Hygiene and Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinaerstrasse 13/R, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Paul Schmidt
- Statistical Consulting for Science and Research, Große Seestraße 8, 13086 Berlin, Germany
| | - Miriam Zismann
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chair of Animal Welfare, Ethology, Animal Hygiene and Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinaerstrasse 13/R, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Helen Louton
- Animal Health and Animal Welfare, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 6b, 18059 Rostock, Germany
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Effect of Providing Environmental Enrichment into Aviary House on the Welfare of Laying Hens. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12091165. [PMID: 35565591 PMCID: PMC9103546 DOI: 10.3390/ani12091165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effects of providing environmental enrichment materials—pumice stone and alfalfa hay—to laying hens in the aviary system. A total of 2196 40-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly allotted to three treatment groups: (1) no enrichment (control; CON), (2) enrichment with pumice stone (PS), and (3) enrichment with alfalfa hay (HAY). Each treatment comprised four replicates of 183 hens each, and four of the same materials were provided per replicate. The experiment lasted for 26 weeks. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. As a result, the PS and HAY groups demonstrated increased egg production (p < 0.001). The HAY group showed a reduced rate of mislaid eggs (p < 0.01) and produced low egg weight and pale-yellow yolk (p < 0.05). Both enrichment materials decreased blood creatinine (CRE) or lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the blood and resulted in a significantly lower corticosterone (CORT) level (p < 0.05). However, the feather condition scores for the laying hens were similar across all treatments (p > 0.05). In summary, although pumice stone and alfalfa hay are effective in alleviating stress and improving the production of laying hens, additional environmental improvement studies are needed to contribute to reducing pecking behaviors in poultry farming.
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The Impact of Probiotic Bacillus subtilis on Injurious Behavior in Laying Hens. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12070870. [PMID: 35405859 PMCID: PMC8997090 DOI: 10.3390/ani12070870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Injurious behavior prevention is a critical issue in the poultry industry due to increasing social stress, leading to negative effects on bird production and survivability, consequently enhancing gut microbiota dysbiosis and neuroinflammation via the microbiota–gut–brain axis. Probiotics have been used as potential therapeutic psychobiotics to treat or improve neuropsychiatric disorders or symptoms by boosting cognitive and behavioral processes and reducing stress reactions in humans and various experimental animals. The current data will first report that probiotic Bacillus subtilis reduces stress-induced injurious behavior in laying hens via regulating microbiota–gut–brain function with the potential to be an alternative to beak trimming during poultry egg production. Abstract Intestinal microbiota functions such as an endocrine organ to regulate host physiological homeostasis and behavioral exhibition in stress responses via regulating the gut–brain axis in humans and other mammals. In humans, stress-induced dysbiosis of the gut microbiota leads to intestinal permeability, subsequently affecting the clinical course of neuropsychiatric disorders, increasing the frequency of aggression and related violent behaviors. Probiotics, as direct-fed microorganism, have been used as dietary supplements or functional foods to target gut microbiota (microbiome) for the prevention or therapeutic treatment of mental diseases including social stress-induced psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and schizophrenia. Similar function of the probiotics may present in laying hens due to the intestinal microbiota having a similar function between avian and mammals. In laying hens, some management practices such as hens reared in conventional cages or at a high stocking density may cause stress, leading to injurious behaviors such as aggressive pecking, severe feather pecking, and cannibalism, which is a critical issue facing the poultry industry due to negative effects on hen health and welfare with devastating economic consequences. We discuss the current development of using probiotic Bacillus subtilis to prevent or reduce injurious behavior in laying hens.
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