In ovo validation model to assess the efficacy of commercial prebiotics on broiler performance and oxidative stability of meat

Cannabidiol and Nano-Selenium Increase Microvascularization and Reduce Degenerative Changes in Superficial Breast Muscle in C. perfringens-Infected Chickens

Here, we demonstrated the potential of Cannabis-derived cannabidiol (CBD) and nanosized selenium (nano-Se) for the modulation of microvascularization and muscle fiber lesions in superficial breast muscle in C. perfringens-challenged chickens. The administration of CBD resulted in a decreased number of atrophic fibers (3.13 vs. 1.13/1.5 mm²) compared with the control, whereas nano-Se or both substances resulted in a decreased split fiber number (4.13 vs. 1.55/1.5 mm²) and in a lower number of necrotic myofibers (2.38 vs. 0.69/1.5 mm²) in breast muscle than the positive control. There was a significantly higher number of capillary vessels in chickens in the CBD+Nano-Se group than in the control and positive control groups (1.31 vs. 0.97 and 0.98, respectively). Feeding birds experimental diets lowered the activity of DNA damage repair enzymes, including 3,N4-ethenodeoxycytosine (by 39.6%), 1,N6-ethenodeoxyadenosine (by 37.5%), 8-oxo-guanine (by 36.2%), formamidopyrimidine (fapy)-DNA glycosylase (by 56.2%) and human alkyl adenine DNA glycosylase (by 40.2%) in the ileal mucosa, but it did not compromise the blood mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (-2.67 OD/min on average). These findings indicate a potential link between gut mucosa condition and histopathological changes in superficial pectoral muscle under induced inflammation and show the ameliorative effect of CBD and nano-Se in this cross-talk due to their protection from mucosal DNA damage.

How to employ metabolomic analysis to research on functions of prebiotics and probiotics in poultry gut health?

Gut health can be considered one of the major, manageable constituents of the animal immunity and performance. The fast spread of intestinal diseases, and increase of antimicrobial resistance have been observed, therefore the intestinal health has become not only economically relevant, but also highly important subject addressing the interest of public health. It is expected, that the strategies to control infections should be based on development of natural immunity in animals and producing resilient flocks using natural solutions, whilst eliminating antibiotics and veterinary medicinal products from action. Probiotics and prebiotics have been favored, because they have potential to directly or indirectly optimize intestinal health by manipulating the metabolism of the intestinal tract, including the microbiota. Studying the metabolome of probiotics and gut environment, both in vivo, or using the in vitro models, is required to attain the scientific understanding about the functions of bioactive compounds in development of gut health and life lasting immunity. There is a practical need to identify new metabolites being the key bioactive agents regulating biochemical pathways of systems associated with gut (gut-associated axes). Technological advancement in metabolomics studies, and increasing access to the powerful analytical platforms have paved a way to implement metabolomics in exploration of the effects of prebiotics and probiotics on the intestinal health of poultry. In this article, the basic principles of metabolomics in research involving probiotics and probiotics are introduced, together with the overview of existing strategies and suggestions of their use to study metabolome in poultry.

Performance and meat quality traits of slow-growing chickens stimulated in ovo with galactooligosaccharides and exposed to heat stress

In vivo performance, carcass and meat quality traits of slow-growing chickens stimulated in ovo with trans galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and exposed to heat stress were evaluated. On d 12 of egg incubation, 3,000 fertilized eggs (Hubbard JA57) were divided into prebiotic group (GOS) injected with 3.5 mg GOS/egg, saline group (S) injected with physiological saline (only to assess the hatchability rate) and an uninjected control group (C). After hatching, 600 male chicks (300 from GOS and 300 from C) were housed on floor pens (6 pens/treatment, 25 birds/pen) and reared under neutral (TN) or heat stress conditions (HS, 30°C from 36 to 50 d). BW, daily feed intake (DFI), daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion rate (FCR), and mortality were measured. At 50 d of age, 15 randomly selected birds/treatment/environmental conditions were slaughtered and the pectoral muscle (PM) was collected for analyses. Hatchability was similar among groups. BW of the newly hatched chicks was lower (P < 0.01) in GOS compared to C. Final BW, DWG, DFI, and FCR were not affected (P > 0.05) by GOS. HS reduced final BW (−12.93%, P < 0.001). During finisher phase, DFI and DWG were lower (P < 0.001) and FCR was higher (P < 0.01) in HS compared to TN. Mortality was not affected (P > 0.05) by GOS and HS. Meat from GOS chickens had a higher (P < 0.01) pH and was darker (P < 0.05) compared to C. Proximate composition, cholesterol content, fatty acid profile, and intramuscular collagen properties of PM were not affected by GOS. The HS group showed a lower (P < 0.05) content of both collagen and monounsaturated fatty acids than TN group. Significant interactions between GOS and temperature were found for FA composition. In conclusion, the differences in performance have had an impact on the responses to HS in Hubbard chickens, but not on mortality rate. GOS did not relieve the negative effect of HS on chickens’ performance.

The Impact of Herbal Additives for Poultry Feed on the Fatty Acid Profile of Meat

Researchers often found that herbal additives to chicken feed can favorably alter the fatty acid profile of the meat. The most desirable effects of diet modification comprise an increased content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and a reduced content of saturated fatty acids (SFA) in the breast and thigh muscles. A modified fatty acid profile contributes to improvement in the quality of poultry meat, which is reflected in its increased consumption. However, it may be problematic that PUFAs are oxidized easier than other lipids, which can have a negative impact on the sensory traits of meat. By contrast, herbs and herbal products contain antioxidants that can prevent the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol present in animal-origin products and increase the antioxidant potential of the consumer’s body. This paper aims to review the influence of herbal additives for broiler chicken diets on the fatty acid profile of poultry meat. Special attention was paid to changes in the content of SFAs, MUFAs, and PUFAs, but also alterations in the omega-6:omega-3 ratio. The presented reference literature supports the statement that herbs and bioactive components of herbs added to chicken diets can improve the quality of broiler chicken meat by altering the content of fatty acids.

Soybean vs. Pea Bean in the Diet of Medium-Growing Broiler Chickens Raised under Semi-Intensive Conditions of Inner Mediterranean Areas: Growth Performance and Environmental Impact

The effects of Glycine max L. (SOY) vs. Pisum sativum L. (PEA) in the diet were investigated on in vivo performance of two medium-growing broiler genotypes and on environmental impact. Sixty Kabir Red Plus and sixty New Red chickens were randomly allocated in 20 pens (n = 6 birds per pen). Each pen, i.e., experimental unit, received 1.18 kg dry matter (DM) including soybean (3.39%) in SOY, or pea bean (6.78%) in PEA groups. DM intake, DM refusals and bodyweight (BW) were recorded on pen basis, and average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion rate (FCR) were calculated. Data on in vivo performance were processed by ANOVA General Linear Model followed by Student−Newman−Keuls post hoc test. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were evaluated on a year basis by GLEAM-i software. The diet did not affect (p > 0.05) DM intake and DM refusals, BW, ADG and FCR. Diet x genotypes affected (p < 0.05) DM intake and DM refusals. PEA diet, cheaper than SOY diet, allowed the reduction in total GHG and CO2, and of meat emission intensity. However, an increase in total CH4 and N2O emissions was observed. The replacement of soybean with pea bean can represent a possible management strategy to reach trade-off between good farming practices and environmental protection on small-scale poultry farms of inner Mediterranean areas.

Effects of in ovo delivered xylo- and mannan- oligosaccharides on growth performance, intestinal immunity, cecal short-chain fatty acids, and cecal microbiota of broilers

Background

This study investigated a novel in ovo feeding strategy to determine the prebiotic effects of xylo- and mannan- oligosaccharides (XOS and MOS) differing in the degree of polymerization. A total of 192 fertilized eggs were divided into 6 treatment groups: i) normal saline control (NSC), ii) xylotriose (XOS3), iii) xylotetraose (XOS4), iv) mannotriose (MOS3), v) mannotetraose (MOS4), and vi) no injection control (NIC), each containing 4 replicate trays with 8 eggs per replicate. On d 17 of incubation, 3 mg of oligosaccharides (except for controls) dissolved in 0.5 mL of 0.85% normal saline were injected into the amnion of Cobb 500 broilers eggs. After hatch, the chicks were raised for 28 d under standard husbandry practices and were fed a commercial broilers diet ad libitum, and samples were collected periodically.

Results

The hatchability, growth performance, and relative weights of breast, drumstick, liver, and proventriculus were not different among the treatments (P > 0.05). The XOS3 injection increased the total short-chain fatty acid production at d 28 compared with both control groups (P < 0.05). The villus height to crypt depth ratio was significantly higher in the XOS4 group than both controls on the hatch day (P < 0.01) but were not different among any treatments on d 7 and 28 (P > 0.05). On the hatch day, the expression level of the CD3 gene (a T cell marker) was increased by XOS3, while the IL-10 gene (a marker of anti-inflammatory cytokine) was reduced by MOS4 (P < 0.05) compared with both controls. Compared with both controls, XOS3 exhibited a trend of reduction for IL-10 (P = 0.074). No cytokines or lymphocyte markers were affected by the treatments on d 7 (P > 0.05), except XOS4 increased IL-4 compared with NSC (P < 0.05). The broilers in the MOS4 group had higher operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and had more differentially abundant taxa, including order Lactobacillales and family Leuconostocaceae (P < 0.05) than both controls on d 28. The predictive functional profiling indicated that the linoleic acid metabolism pathway was enriched in the cecal microbiota of the XOS3 group compared with both controls (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The effects of these XOS and MOS on ileal mucosa and immunity are transient, but the effects on fermentation and cecal microbiota are prolonged, and further research is warranted to determine their use as a gut health promoter in poultry.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40104-021-00666-z.

The study of the intensification of technological parameters of the sausage production process

One of the sources of sodium are meat products. Increased consumption of meat products and sodium intake leads to serious health problems. The task of reducing the dosage of sodium chloride in minced meat needs to be addressed. The partial replacement of table salt with sea salt will reduce the sodium concentration in products to 20%. It is established that this modification increases the moisture-binding properties of minced meat and lowers the dosage of salt in the mass of raw meat, which will reduce the level of harm to the body due to excessive consumption of sausages. It is proposed to introduce a bacterial preparation based on the strain Staphylococcus carnosus, which will reduce the amount of sodium nitrite in the finished products. Technology has been developed to regulate the composition of microelements in meat products by enriching them with a kelp extract. It was found that changes in the composition of minced meat can adversely affect the taste and physicochemical properties of the product, which is confirmed by expert studies. As a result of laboratory studies, it was found that a partial change of salt in the sea helps to improve the stability and physicochemical quality of minced meat (active acidity, water activity, moisture retention, and shear stress). According to the research results, the recipe of sausages recommended for implementation at the enterprises of the meat processing industry of Ukraine has been developed.

Innovative Treatments Enhancing the Functionality of Gut Microbiota to Improve Quality and Microbiological Safety of Foods of Animal Origin

The gastrointestinal tract, or gut, microbiota is a microbial community containing a variety of microorganisms colonizing throughout the gut that plays a crucial role in animal health, growth performance, and welfare. The gut microbiota is closely associated with the quality and microbiological safety of foods and food products originating from animals. The gut microbiota of the host can be modulated and enhanced in ways that improve the quality and safety of foods of animal origin. Probiotics—also known as direct-fed microbials—competitive exclusion cultures, prebiotics, and synbiotics have been utilized to achieve this goal. Reducing foodborne pathogen colonization in the gut prior to slaughter and enhancing the chemical, nutritional, or sensory characteristics of foods (e.g., meat, milk, and eggs) are two of many positive outcomes derived from the use of these competitive enhancement–based treatments in food-producing animals.

Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Food Science and Technology, Volume 13 is March 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality of Organically Reared Broiler Chickens Depending on Sex

Simple Summary

Consumers are increasingly interested in the health and nutritional aspects of meat products, with the result that they are willing to pay more for meat products that have been produced naturally, taking into account high standards and animal welfare. Therefore, we decided to examine in a slightly wider perspective the muscles of Ross 308 chickens kept in an ecological system, taking into consideration an additional factor, i.e., sex. As sexual dimorphism is considered to be a factor in meat quality, we decided to examine this factor in our study. At the same time, we investigated the suitability of these fast-feathering broilers for ecological production. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of sex on the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, fatty acid profile and histological traits of the pectoral muscles in organic Ross 308 broiler chickens. The suitability of these fast-growing broilers for organic production systems was also analyzed. As expected, the study confirmed the influence of sex on the analyzed parameters of the pectoral muscles in chickens reared in the organic system.

Abstract

Given the growing interest of consumers in naturally produced meat, we decided to examine the muscles of Ross 308 broiler chickens kept in an ecological system, with the division into two research groups depending on sex. All the analyses were carried out using the appropriate methods recommended by the AOAC and in accordance with the Polish standards (PN), which are described in detail in the relevant section of the publication. The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effect of sex on the growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality, as well as the fatty acid profile and histological parameters, of the pectoral muscles from organic broiler chickens. A total of 60 one-day-old Ross 308 chickens (half males and half females) were divided into two groups, according to the sex, and reared under organic conditions (Org.) until 82 days of age (ten birds, i.e., five males and five females in each of three pens; replications for experimental groups). Compared with the female group, the male group had a higher final BW and carcass weight (p < 0.05). The males had a better growth and slaughter performance than the females. The meat quality traits and fatty acids content were also affected by sex. The meat from females showed a significantly higher (p < 0.05) protein, dry matter, fiber diameter and shear force and a significantly lower (p < 0.05) fat level than the male group. In this research, the suitability of these fast-growing broilers for natural and organic production systems has been researched with regard to the performance, meat quality and histological characteristics of the muscles.

Effect of dietary mannan oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides on physico-chemical indices, antioxidant and oxidative stability of broiler chicken meat

The objective of this present study was to investigate the potentiality of prebiotics (mannan oligosaccharides-MOS and fructo-oligosaccharides-FOS) in replacement of antibiotic growth promoter and their relationship with physico-chemical indices, antioxidant and oxidative stability and carcass traits of broiler chickens meat. Accordingly, 240 day-old broiler chicks of uniform body weight divided in 6 treatment groups with 5 replicate each (5 × 6 = 30) having 8 birds in each replicate. Six corn based dietary treatments were formulated viz. T₁ (control diet), T₂ (T₁ + Bacitracin methylene di-salicylate @ 0.002%), T₃ (T₁ + 0.1% MOS), T₄ (T₁ + 0.2% MOS), T₅ (T₁ + 0.1% FOS), and T₆ (T₁ + 0.2% FOS). Significant (p < 0.05) increase in cut up part yields (%) and reduction in cholesterol and fat content in T₄ (0.2% MOS) group. The water holding capacity (WHC) and extract release volume (ERV) were increase (p < 0.05) in 0.1 or 0.2% MOS supplemented group. DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy) was higher (p < 0.05) and lipid oxidation (free fatty acid and thio-barbituric acid reactive substances) was lower (p < 0.05) in T₄ group. The standard plate count (SPC), staphylococcus and coliform counts were decreased (p < 0.05) in T₃ or T₄ group. Thus, it can be concluded that mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) may be incorporated at 0.2% level in diet for improved physico-chemical indices, antioxidant and oxidative stability and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens meat and it may be suitable replacer of antibiotic growth promoter.

Effects of Probiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics Injected in Ovo on the Microstructure of the Breast Muscle in Different Chicken Genotypes

The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics injected in ovo on day 12 of embryonic development on the microstructure of the superficial pectoral muscle (musculus pectoralis superficialis) from 42-day-old chickens of different genotypes: broilers (Ross 308) and general-purpose type (green-legged partridge (GP) chickens Zk-11, native chickens). Incubated eggs were divided into four groups (each genotype separately) depending on the substance injected in ovo: normal saline (C, control); Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris (PRO); galactooligosaccharides, GOS (PRE) or GOS + L. lactis (SYN). After hatching, chicks were placed in eight replicated pens (four pens/genotype group). There were eight birds per pen. In total, 64 birds were used in the experiment. Birds were slaughtered at the age of 42 days, and samples of superficial pectoral muscles were taken for analysis. The microstructure of the pectoral muscles was evaluated using the cryosectioning (frozen tissue sectioning) technique and staining with haematoxylin and eosin. Statistical analysis revealed that the in ovo injection of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics had no significant effect on the diameter of muscle fibres from chickens of the two genotypes. The number of fibres in the muscles from green-legged partridge chickens was about three-fold higher than the fibre density in the muscles from broiler chickens, with the fibre diameter being two-fold smaller. This fact may indicate a greater tenderness of meat from GP chickens compared to the meat from Ross 308 broilers. In the case of broilers, a prebiotic (GOS) was the most effective bioactive substance in reducing the number of histopathological changes. Considering muscles from GP chickens, the number of normal fibres was highest in birds treated with the probiotic. These findings indicate that the microstructural features of pectoral muscles depend not only on the type of the injected bioactive substance but also on the genotype of chickens.

Hepatic transcriptome analysis reveals altered lipid metabolism and consequent health indices in chicken supplemented with dietary Bifidobacterium bifidum and mannan-oligosaccharides

This study investigated the role of dietary prebiotic mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS), and probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum (BFD) in lipid metabolism, deposition, and consequent health indices in broiler chicken. The supplementation of 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU BFD/g feed resulted in downregulation of Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, sterolregulatory element binding protein-1, and apolipoprotein B100; and up-regulation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α AMP-activated protein kinase α-1, and stearoyl CoA (∆9) desaturase-1 hepatic expression in broiler chicken. The birds supplemented with 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU BFD/g feed depicted lower body fat percentage, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and saturated fatty acid contents, whereas, higher palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, and MUFA contents were observed. The ∆9-desaturase indices of chicken meat have shown higher values; and elongase index (only thigh) and thioesterase index have shown lower values in birds supplemented with 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU BFD/g feed. The meat health indices such as Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)/Saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratio, Mono-saturated fatty acids (MUFA)/SFA ratio, unsaturated fatty acids (UFA)/SFA ratio, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic fatty acid ratio, saturation index, atherogenic index, thrombogenic index, and hypercholesterolemic fatty acid content were positively improved in birds supplemented with 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU BFD/g feed. Similarly, the birds supplemented with 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU BFD/g feed have shown lower serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels along with higher high density levels and improved serum health indices cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient, and, atherogenic index of plasma.

Chicken embryo as a model in epigenetic research

Epigenetics is defined as the study of changes in gene function that are mitotically or meiotically heritable and do not lead to a change in DNA sequence. Epigenetic modifications are important mechanisms that fine tune the expression of genes in response to extracellular signals and environmental changes. In vertebrates, crucial epigenetic reprogramming events occur during early embryogenesis and germ cell development. Chicken embryo, which develops external to the mother's body, can be easily manipulated in vivo and in vitro, and hence, it is an excellent model for performing epigenetic studies. Environmental factors such as temperature can affect the development of an embryo into the phenotype of an adult. A better understanding of the environmental impact on embryo development can be achieved by analyzing the direct effects of epigenetic modifications as well as their molecular background and their intergenerational and transgenerational inheritance. In this overview, the current possibility of epigenetic changes during chicken embryonic development and their effects on long-term postembryonic development are discussed.

Chicken Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Applications: A Mini Review

Simple Summary

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that are capable of differentiation into bone, muscle, fat, and closely related lineages and express unique and specific cell surface markers. They can be used as an avian culture model to better understand osteogenic, adipogenic, and myogenic pathways. Moreover, MSCs could also be used as a model to study various developmental and physiological processes in avian and other species. To obtain a comprehensive overview of this topic, the keywords “mesenchymal stem cells”, “chicken”, “disease”, “chicken dermatitis”, “viral infections in chicken”, and “antibiotics in chicken” were searched in WOS and PUBMED databases to obtain relevant information.

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitor cells that adhere to plastic; express the specific markers CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105; and produce cytokines and growth factors supporting and regulating hematopoiesis. MSCs have capacity for differentiating into osteocytes, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and myocytes. They are useful for research toward better understanding the pathogenic potential of the infectious bursal disease virus, mineralization during osteogenesis, and interactions between MSCs as a feeder layer to other cells. MSCs are also important for immunomodulatory cell therapy, can provide a suitable strategy model for coculture with pathogens causing dermatitis disorders in chickens, can be cultured in vitro with probiotics and prebiotics with a view to eliminate the feeding of antibiotic growth promoters, and offer cell-based meat production. Moreover, bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) in coculture with hematopoietic progenitor/stem cells (HPCs/HSCs) can support expansion and regulation of the hematopoiesis process using the 3D-culture system in future research in chickens. MSCs’ several advantages, including ready availability, strong proliferation, and immune modulatory properties make them a suitable model in the field of stem cell research. This review summarizes current knowledge about the general characterization of MSCs and their application in chicken as a model organism.

Effects of dietary supplementation with a laminarin-rich extract on the growth performance and gastrointestinal health in broilers

Restriction in antimicrobial use in broiler chicken production is driving the exploration of alternative feed additives that will support growth through the promotion of gastrointestinal health and development. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary inclusion of laminarin on growth performance, the expression of nutrient transporters, markers of inflammation and intestinal integrity in the small intestine and composition of the caecal microbiota in broiler chickens. Two-hundred-and-forty day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks (40.64 (3.43 SD) g) were randomly assigned to: (T1) basal diet (control); (T2) basal diet + 150 ppm laminarin; (T3) basal diet + 300 ppm laminarin (5 bird/pen; 16 pens/treatment). The basal diet was supplemented with a laminarin-rich Laminaria spp. extract (65% laminarin) to achieve the two laminarin inclusion levels (150 and 300 ppm). Chick weights and feed intake was recorded weekly. After 35 days of supplementation, one bird per pen from the control and best performing (300 ppm) laminarin groups were euthanized. Duodenal, jejunal and ileal tissues were collected for gene expression analysis. Caecal digesta was collected for microbiota analysis (high-throughput sequencing and QPCR). Dietary supplementation with 300 ppm laminarin increased both final body weight (2033 vs. 1906 ± 30.4, P < 0.05) and average daily gain (62.3 vs. 58.2 ± 0.95, P < 0.05) compared to the control group and average daily feed intake (114.1 vs. 106.0 and 104.5 ± 1.77, P < 0.05) compared to all other groups. Laminarin supplementation at 300 ppm increased the relative and absolute abundance of Bifidobacterium (P < 0.05) in the caecum. Laminarin supplementation increased the expression of interleukin 17A (IL17A) in the duodenum, claudin 1 (CLDN1) and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in the jejunum and IL17A, CLDN1 and SLC15A1/peptide transporter 1 (SLC15A1/PepT1) in the ileum (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation with laminarin is a promising dietary strategy to enhance growth performance and 300 ppm was the optimal inclusion level with which to promote a beneficial profile of the gastrointestinal microbiota in broiler chickens.

Effects of replacing dietary Aureomycin with a combination of plant essential oils on production performance and gastrointestinal health of broilers

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of replacing antibiotics with a combination of plant essential oils on the growth performances and gastrointestinal health of broilers. A total of 720 1-day-old male AA broilers were randomly divided into 3 treatments: the control treatment (CON), the Aureomycin supplementation treatment (AGP), and the combined plant oils supplementation treatment (POC), with a 42-D period feeding procedure. Growth performances, carcass performances, intestinal sections, and cecal microbiota were investigated. Results indicated that POC supplementation decreased the feed conversion ratio compared with CON and AGP treatments, though not significantly. No significant differences were found for feed intake, BW gain, and culling rate among the 3 treatments (P > 0.05). In addition, no significant differences were seen on carcass performance. For the aspects of intestinal section, POC supplementation did not make significant effects on intestinal wall thickness, villus heights, crypt depths, and the ratio of villus heights/crypt depths compared with CON and AGP treatments. Cecal microbiota results demonstrated that bacterial diversity and some representative probiotic bacteria were significantly increased in numbers (P < 0.05) after POC supplementation. In conclusion, the combination of essential oils promoted intestinal health through improving gut bacterial diversity and probiotic bacteria, as well as improving feed conversion ratio of broilers. These results indicated that the combination of essential oils may benefit the gastrointestinal health and be applied as an antibiotic alternative.

Injection of Raffinose Family Oligosaccharides at 12 Days of Egg Incubation Modulates the Gut Development and Resistance to Opportunistic Pathogens in Broiler Chickens

Simple Summary

In the face of a changing climate, antibiotic resistance and uprising outbreaks of ‘forgotten’ diseases, there is an urgent need for new, safe strategies and natural immunomodulatory products in intensive broiler production. So far, many prebiotic and synbiotic preparations have been explored to influence the gut microbiota composition and the host immune system. However, the effects of bioactive compounds are not always found to be consistent. Global analysis allows us to define at least several reasons for those discrepancies: different chemical composition and origins of the oligosaccharides, interaction with other feed ingredients, and unfavorable environmental impact, where the two latter seem to be most important. The in ovo strategy to automatically inject prebiotics at day 12 of egg incubation has been elaborated to eliminate some of those factors and provide a fully controlled modulation of the host biology. Here, the prebiotic modulatory effects were reflected in the improved gut structure and resistance to opportunistic pathogens in the final weeks of broiler rearing, showing lifelong effects. The in ovo strategy allows for the earliest possible immunomodulatory treatments with the use of naturally sourced bioactive compounds, one of them being legume raffinose oligosaccharides.

Abstract

The aim was to investigate the impact of an automatic in ovo injection of the raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO) extracted from the seeds of Lupinus luteus L, on the chicken performance and resistance in a production environment. At day 12 of incubation, a total of 57,900 eggs (Ross 308) were divided into two groups: 1/ Control, injected with 0.9% NaCl and 2/ RFO group, injected with 1.9 mg/egg of the lupin seed extract, dissolved in 0.2 mL NaCl. The performance parameters, biochemical indices (lipid profile, hepatic parameters), gut histomorphology and duodenum structure, oxidative stability of the meat and microbiological counts of the major commensal microbiota species were analyzed. Mortality, body weight, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected. By day 42, several health indices were improved with RFO and were reflected in a beneficial lipid blood profile, increased villi surface and better combating opportunistic pathogens through reduction of Clostridia and decreased coccidia counts. The RFO increased meat oxidation, but only at the beginning of the storage. The RFO sourced from local legumes can be considered a promising prebiotic for broiler chickens. In ovo delivery of prebiotics and/or synbiotics should be further optimized as an important strategy for the earliest possible modulation of chicken resistance.

Effect of dietary probiotics and prebiotics on the performance of broiler chickens

The prolonged use of antibiotics has led to the development of resistant bacteria and also led to accumulation of antibiotic residue in the poultry feed, this ultimately led to the prohibition of antibiotics as growth enhancers in animal production. Thus, there was a dire need for alternate sources to help in poultry production. Recently, probiotics and prebiotics claimed to be effective alternatives to antibiotics in the poultry. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of different probiotics and prebiotics on the performance of broilers. The study involved 2 broiler cycles, 1 during winter and 1 during summer with a total of 425 1-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks for each cycle. They were allotted to 5 experimental treatments. The probiotics were Bacillus coagulans (1 g/kg dried culture) and Lactobacillus (1 g/kg dried culture of 12 commercial strains). The prebiotics included fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) (5 g/kg) and mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (5 g/kg). The results showed that there was no effect of the different probiotics and prebiotics on the production performance of broilers. There was increased weight of the thymus in the control group. In cycle 1, the panelists indicated that the smell, color, taste, and texture of the cooked meat were acceptable, and that there were no significant differences between the different groups. There was no significant effect of the different diets on the biochemical parameters of the blood among the experimental groups at 3- and 5-wk of age. Phytohaemaglutinin test showed that dietary FOS and MOS induced higher cellular response than the other treatments (P = 0.04) in the first cycle. In the second cycle, the results revealed that dietary FOS induced higher cellular response than the other treatments (P = 0.019). The used experimental treatments have a positive effect on microbial count in 5-week-old broilers. There was no Salmonella sp. recorded using the experimental treatments in the first cycle, and the growth of E. coli was reduced significantly. In the second cycle, all treatments in 3-week-old broilers did not affect the count of both lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and E. coli. At 5-week-old of the same cycle, the bacterial count of E. coli increased even with control, whereas Salmonella growth was inhibited. The pH value was driven toward acidity in all of the treatments. Probiotics and prebiotics can be used in chicken feed safely and without any adverse effects on the productive parameters and immune status of the flock.

Effects of in ovo injection of prebiotics and synbiotics on the productive performance and microstructural features of the superficial pectoral muscle in broiler chickens

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of 2 prebiotics and 2 synbiotics injected in ovo on productivity parameters, quality, and microstructure of the superficial pectoral muscle in 35-day-old broiler chickens. On day 12 of incubation, 9,000 eggs Ross 308 were randomly divided into 5 experimental groups treated with different bioactives in ovo injected: C, control with physiological saline; PI, with 1.760 mg inulin; PB, with 0.528 mg of commercial prebiotic Bi2tos; SI, with 1.760 mg inulin and 1,000 CFU Lactococcus lactis spp. lactis IBB SL1; SB, with 0.528 mg Bi2tos and 1,000 CFU Lactococcus lactis spp. cremoris IBB SC1. The synbiotic solution contained 20 μl bacterial suspension and 180 μl prebiotic solution. For productive parameters and further tests ten male birds for each experimental group were used. The birds were slaughtered on day 35 of age. At slaughter, samples of the left pectoral muscles were taken and preserved by freezing in liquid nitrogen. The pH and color of the meat were evaluated at 45 min and 24 h post-mortem. Water holding capacity (WHC) was measured and expressed as the percentage of free water in meat. Microscopic specimens were analysed using MultiScan software for the measurement of the percentage of oxidative and glycolytic fibres and mean diameter of the muscle fibres. In ovo injection of prebiotics Bi2tos had a positive effect on body weight. In prebiotic group (PI) a negative impact on hatchability was observed. Prebiotics and synbiotics had no influence on the yield of the carcass and pectoral muscle. Bioactive compounds had a significant effect on the quality of meat parameters such as: pH 24 h (PI and PB group), L* 45' (SI and SB group), and WHC (groups PB, SI, and SB). The analysis of the enzymatic profile showed a significant increase in the percentage of glycolytic fibres in the pectoral muscle from chicken treated with a synbiotic with the addition of inulin (group SI).

Feed supplementation with inulin on broiler performance and meat quality challenged with Clostridium perfringens: Infection and prebiotic impacts

Following the ban on the use of antibiotics as growth enhancers in 2006 by the European Union, alternative products have been sought. Inulin is a prebiotic that is found naturally in many plants. It reaches large intestine of animals unaltered, where it is fermented by beneficial bacteria that comprise the intestinal microbiota. Inulin also inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Consumption of inulin in chicken diets improves performance at slaughter; nevertheless, little is known about its effects on poultry meat. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of inulin on feeding of broilers challenged with Clostridium perfringens (4.0 × 10⁸ CFU) and its consequences on the quality of breast meat. Four hundred Cobb male broiler chickens were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replications each, as follows: T1: control treatment, basal diet (DB); T2: DB + 21-day challenged with C. perfringens orally; T3: DB + 21-day challenge with C. perfringens orally +25 mg/kg inulin; T4: DB + 21-day challenge by C. perfringens orally +4.4 mg/kg lincomycin. There were no significant differences between treatments in terms of pH, color parameters (L, a*, b*), water retention capacity, or shear force cooking weight loss. However, we found that the meat of poultry challenged by C. perfringens showed lower lipid peroxidation and increased activity of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT, suggesting improvement in antioxidant profile. Nitrate/nitrite levels were lower with T3 and higher with T4 than with T1. We therefore conclude that inulin can replace antibiotics as growth promoters without causing changes in the physicochemical characteristics of meat. C. perfringens challenge caused lower lipid peroxidation and stimulated antioxidant responses in breast meat.

Efficacy of In Ovo Delivered Prebiotics on Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Gut Health of Kuroiler Chickens in the Face of a Natural Coccidiosis Challenge

A study was carried out to assess the efficacy of prebiotic delivered in ovo on performance, carcass traits, meat quality and gut health in the face of a natural coccidiosis infection in Kuroiler chickens. On d 12 of incubation, 150 fertile eggs were divided into a prebiotic group injected with trans-galactooligosaccharides (Bi²tos) and a control group uninjected. Hatched chicks from each group were further divided: One group received antibiotic chick formula while the other was left untreated, giving rise to 4 groups-Control (C), Antibiotic (A), Bi²tos (B), and Bi²tos + Antibiotic (AB). Prebiotic improved growth performance at six weeks of age, AB birds were the heaviest at the end of the rearing period. The highest intestinal lesion scores and oocyst counts were recorded in C birds. B group had a slightly higher carcass weight and cuts yields tended to be higher in treated groups compared to C. Meat from B group displayed a higher amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to C and a positively lower n-6/n-3 ratio compared to C and A. In conclusion, prebiotics with or without antibiotics reduced severity of intestinal lesions and oocyst excretion induced by natural infection with Eimeria, with positive effects on Kuroiler chicken productive traits.

Modulation of microbial communities and mucosal gene expression in chicken intestines after galactooligosaccharides delivery In Ovo

Intestinal mucosa is the interface between the microbial content of the gut and the host's milieu. The goal of this study was to modulate chicken intestinal microflora by in ovo stimulation with galactooligosaccharides (GOS) prebiotic and to demonstrate the molecular responses of the host. The animal trial was performed on meat-type chickens (Ross 308). GOS was delivered by in ovo injection performed into the air cell on day 12 of egg incubation. Analysis of microbial communities and mucosal gene expression was performed at slaughter (day 42 post-hatching). Chyme (for DNA isolation) and intestinal mucosa (for RNA isolation) from four distinct intestinal segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and caecum) was sampled. The relative abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. in DNA isolated from chyme samples was determined using qPCR. On the host side, the mRNA expression of 13 genes grouped into two panels was analysed with RT-qPCR. Panel (1) included genes related to intestinal innate immune responses (IL-1β, IL-10 and IL-12p40, AvBD1 and CATHL2). Panel (2) contained genes involved in intestinal barrier function (MUC6, CLDN1 and TJAP1) and nutrients sensing (FFAR2 and FFAR4, GLUT1, GLUT2 and GLUT5). GOS increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium in caecum (from 1.3% to 3.9%). Distinct effects of GOS on gene expression were manifested in jejunum and caecum. Cytokine genes (IL-1β, IL-10 and IL-12p40) were up-regulated in the jejunum and caecum of the GOS-treated group. Host defence peptides (AvBD1 and CATHL2) were up-regulated in the caecum of the GOS-treated group. Free fatty acid receptors (FFAR2 and FFAR4) were up-regulated in all three compartments of the intestine (except the duodenum). Glucose transporters were down-regulated in duodenum (GLUT2 and GLUT5) but up-regulated in the hindgut (GLUT1 and GLUT2). In conclusion, GOS delivered in ovo had a bifidogenic effect in adult chickens. It also modulated gene expression related to intestinal immune responses, gut barrier function, and nutrient sensing.

Prebiotics and synbiotics - in ovo delivery for improved lifespan condition in chicken

Commercially produced chickens have become key food-producing animals in the global food system. The scale of production in industrial settings has changed management systems to a point now very far from traditional methods. During the perinatal period, newly hatched chicks undergo processing, vaccination and transportation, which introduces a gap in access to feed and water. This gap, referred to as the hatching window, dampens the potential for microflora inoculation and as such, prevents proper microbiome, gastrointestinal system and innate immunity development. As a consequence, the industrial production of chickens with a poor microbial profile leads to enteric microbial infestation and infectious disease outbreaks, which became even more prevalent after the withdrawal of antibiotic growth promoters on many world markets (e.g., the EU).This review presents the rationale, methodology and life-long effects of in ovo stimulation of chicken microflora. In ovo stimulation provides efficient embryonic microbiome colonization with commensal microflora during the perinatal period. A carefully selected bioactive formulation (prebiotics, probiotics alone or combined into synbiotics) is delivered into the air cell of the egg on day 12 of egg incubation. The prebiotic penetrates the outer and inner egg membranes and stimulates development on the innate microflora in the embryonic guts. Probiotics are available after the mechanical breakage of the shell membranes by the chick's beak at the beginning of hatching (day 19). The intestinal microflora after in ovo stimulation is potent enough for competitive exclusion and programs the lifespan condition. We present the effects of different combinations of prebiotic and probiotic delivered in ovo on day 12 of egg incubation on microflora, growth traits, feed efficiency, intestinal morphology, meat microstructure and quality, immune system development, physiological characteristics and the transcriptome of the broiler chickens.We discuss the differences between in ovo stimulation (day 12 of egg incubation) and in ovo feeding (days 17-18 of egg incubation) and speculate about possible future developments in this field. In summary, decades of research on in ovo stimulation and the lifelong effects support this method as efficient programming of lifespan conditions in commercially raised chickens.

Prebiotics offered to broiler chicken exert positive effect on meat quality traits irrespective of delivery route

Elimination of antibiotic growth promoters from poultry production has encouraged intensive search for relevant alternatives. Prebiotics are proposed as efficient replacements to stimulate colonization/expansion of beneficial microflora in chickens. The aim of this study was to deepen the knowledge on the effect of prebiotic administration on slaughter performance and meat quality traits of broiler chickens by evaluating different routes of their delivery (in ovo vs. in-water vs. in ovo + in-water). At d 12 of incubation, 1,500 eggs (Ross 308) containing viable embryos were randomly allotted into 4 groups and injected in ovo with 0.2 mL solution containing: 3.5 mg/embryo BI (Bi2tos, trans-galactooligosaccharides); 0.88 mg/embryo DN (DiNovo, extract of Laminaria spp.); 1.9 mg/embryo RFO (raffinose family oligosaccharides) and 0.2 mL physiological saline (C). All prebiotics increased final BW compared to C group (P < 0.01), irrespective of delivery route. The prebiotics injected in ovo (T1) or in ovo combined with in-water supplementation (T2) increased carcass weight as compared with in-water group (T3), while T3 had the lowest carcass yield compared to the other groups. All prebiotics increased breast muscle weight and yield (P < 0.01), as well as fiber diameter (P < 0.05). Ultimate meat pH was lower (P < 0.01) in T3 than in T2 group. Meat from chickens treated with prebiotics showed a lower redness index, while lightness and yellowness were not affected by the treatments. Saturated fatty acid (SFA), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and n-3 fatty acids contents were higher (P < 0.01), and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) level was lower (P < 0.01) in prebiotic groups compared with C group. Nutritional indexes (n-6/n-3, PUFA/SFA ratio and thrombogenic index) displayed favorable human health-promoting values in the meat of chickens which were treated with prebiotics, irrespective of delivery route. Muscle cholesterol content was not affected by prebiotics. In conclusion, this study has shown that prebiotics can exert positive effects on growth of broiler chickens, carcass and meat quality traits, irrespective of delivery route.

The role of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics in animal nutrition

Along with the intensive development of methods of livestock breeding, breeders' expectations are growing concerning feed additives that would guarantee such results as accelerating growth rate, protection of health from pathogenic infections and improvement of other production parameters such as: absorption of feed and quality of meat, milk, eggs. The main reason for their application would be a strive to achieve some beneficial effects comparable to those of antibiotic-based growth stimulators, banned on 01 January 2006. High hopes are being associated with the use of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics. Used mainly for maintenance of the equilibrium of the intestinal microbiota of livestock, they turn out to be an effective method in fight against pathogens posing a threat for both animals and consumers. This paper discusses definitions of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics. Criteria that have to be met by those kinds of formulas are also presented. The paper offers a list of the most commonly used probiotics and prebiotics and some examples of their combinations in synbiotic formulas used in animal feeding. Examples of available study results on the effect of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics on animal health are also summarised.

The In Ovo Feeding Administration (Gallus Gallus)-An Emerging In Vivo Approach to Assess Bioactive Compounds with Potential Nutritional Benefits

In recent years, the in ovo feeding in fertilized broiler (Gallus gallus) eggs approach was further developed and currently is widely applied in the evaluation process of the effects of functional foods (primarily plant origin compounds) on the functionality of the intestinal brush border membrane, as well as potential prebiotic properties and interactions with the intestinal microbial populations. This review collates the information of potential nutrients and their effects on the mineral absorption, gut development, brush border membrane functionality, and immune system. In addition, the advantages and limitations of the in ovo feeding method in the assessment of potential prebiotic effects of plant origin compounds is discussed.