Effect of Bacillus subtilis natto on growth performance in Muscovy ducks

Effect of probiotics and humate substances on blood parameters, intestinal development and immune organs of growing quail

This study aimed to evaluate impacts of dietary probiotics (Bacillus subtilis PB6) and humate substances (HS) supplementation on histomorphometry of small intestine and immune organs, blood parameters of growing quail. A total of 216 unsexed quails (seven days old) were randomly distributed to six groups. The 1st group did not receive any supplements (control), 2nd group received B. subtilis (CloSTAT: 0.5 g/kg diet), 3rd and 4th groups received HS (4 and 8 g/kg diet, respectively), 5th and 6th groups received CloSTAT + 4g HS and CloSTAT + 8g HS, respectively. Results showed that the inclusion of B. subtilis alone in quail diets significantly improved histomorphometry indices of intestine and immune organs compared to the control. Dietary supplementation of HS alone led to deteriorating histomorphometry indices of intestinal segments and immune organs compared to the control. CloSTAT, HS or both improved lipid profile and antioxidant parameters. Serum mineral levels did not differ significantly among groups except for Ca levels. In conclusion, dietary probiotics supplementation enhanced histomorphometry of intestine and immune organs and improved serum Ca, lipid profile and antioxidant indices. Moreover, the addition of HS (4 or 8 g/kg diet) improved lipid profile and antioxidant indices, but led to undesirable results in intestinal development and immune organs.

Evaluation of metabolic syndromes and parasitic infection in Muscovy ducks under different management conditions

Proper health management is essential for productivity in duck farming. However, there is limited information on the effect of management conditions on rates of metabolic problems and parasitic infections in anatids. We evaluated the rates of metabolic syndromes and gastrointestinal parasite involvement in Muscovy ducks up to 12 weeks of age, under 3 management conditions: backyard, organized, and organized with probiotics. Individuals under organized management developed 2 metabolic problems: ascites, which was rare (3.5%), fatal, and affected both males and females, and angel wing syndrome, which was more frequent (10.6%), has low impact on general health, and only affected males. The treatments do not have a significant effect on the development of ascites, but only individuals in controlled conditions presented this syndrome, and due to its low prevalence, further studies with a larger sample size are required. The risk of angel wing syndrome increased significantly with probiotic supplementation. Regarding to parasitic infection, the improvement of sanitary management and the use of probiotics supplementation reduced the occurrence of coccidiosis. Similarly organized management with probiotic supplementation showed a protective effect on helminthiasis by reducing the frequency of Heterakis gallinarum and greatly reducing the helminth egg load. Coccidiosis and helminthiasis infections were not significantly correlated with the final weight of the ducks. Therefore, organized management and the use of probiotics seems to reduce the impact of parasitic infection, although it increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

Impact of humate substances and Bacillus subtilis PB6 on thyroid activity and histomorphometry, iron profile and blood haematology of quail

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of dietary humate substances (HS) and CloSTAT (Bacillus subtilis PB6) on the thyroid activity and histology, iron profile, blood haematology and performance of growing Japanese quail. A total of 216 unsexed 7-day-old quail chicks were randomly assigned to six groups. The first group was fed a basal diet (BD) without any additives (control); the 2nd group received BD plus 0.05% CloSTAT, the 3rd and 4th groups were given BD plus 0.4% and 0.8% HS, respectively; and the 5th and 6th groups were administered BD plus CloSTAT + 0.4% HS and BD plus CloSTAT + 0.8% HS, respectively. The results showed that the growth performance was improved with the addition of CloSTAT alone or in combination with 0.4% HS compared with the control. Haematological parameters, iron level and transferrin saturation % were significantly (p < 0.001) increased by feeding HS compared with the control group. Serum thyroxin and triiodothyronine levels were significantly (p = 0.001) increased by adding CloSTAT relative to the control. Supplementation of 0.8% HS caused deterioration in histomorphometry parameters of the thyroid gland, but these parameters were improved in response to CloSTAT compared with the control. In conclusion, dietary B. subtilis PB6 as CloSTAT or CloSTAT + 0.4% HS supplementation may be efficacious in enhancing the growth performance and boosting the thyroid activity of growing Japanese quail. Moreover, the addition of 0.4% or 0.8% HS to quail diets boosted their iron profile and haematological parameters.

Use of Bacillus subtilis PB6 enriched with choline to improve growth performance, immune status, histological parameters and intestinal microbiota of broiler chickens

Context Probiotics used in poultry nutrition may promote the propagation of beneficial bacteria and limit the growth of pathogens, improving the body’s resistance to disease. Aims The aim of the study was to establish the dose and timing of administration of a probiotic preparation containing live cultures of Bacillus subtilis PB6 and choline that would have the most beneficial effect on histological parameters and microbiological status of the intestine, immune status, and growth performance of broiler chickens. Methods In total, 980 one-day-old Ross 308 male chickens, divided into seven groups of 140 (each group with seven replications of 20 individuals), were used in the experiment. The birds were reared until Day 42 of life. In the control group, birds received water without addition of the probiotic preparation. In three continuous treatments, birds received the probiotic preparation in their water at doses of 0.05, 0.1 or 0.25 g/L from Day 1 to Day 42 of rearing. In three periodic treatments, birds received the same doses of the probiotic preparation, but only during Days 1–7, 15–21 and 29–35 of rearing. Key results Addition of the probiotic preparation to the drinking water of broiler chickens increased the total number of aerobic bacteria as well as the length of the intestinal villi and the depth of the crypts. It also reduced the number of fungi and coliform bacteria. In addition, increases were noted in the lysozyme content, the phagocytic index, and the level of immunoglobulin A. Conclusions The probiotic preparation containing B. subtilis and choline administered continuously at a dose of 0.25 g/L in water throughout the rearing period had the most beneficial effect on the composition of the microbiome, and improved the mucous membrane structure of the intestine (increasing villus length and intestinal crypt depth), immunity, and growth performance of the broiler chickens. Implications The use of probiotics in poultry nutrition improves the health of animals and makes breeding more profitable. Administration of this probiotic improves disease resistance, jejunal histological parameters, and intestinal microflora of broiler chickens.