Effects of encapsulated essential oils and organic acids on laying performance, egg quality, intestinal morphology, barrier function, and microflora count of hens during the early laying period

Effects of Adding Sphingomonas Z392 to Drinking Water on Growth Performance, Intestinal Histological Structure, and Microbial Community of Broiler Chickens

Probiotics are a prominent alternative to antibiotics in antimicrobial-free broiler farming. To assess the effect of Sphingomonas sp. Z392 (isolated and identified) on broiler growth, 600 one-day-old Kebao broiler chickens were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group. Each group had three replicates, with 100 broiler chickens being raised in each replicate. Regarding the experimental group of broiler chickens, 4.0 × 105 CFU/mL of Sphingomonas Z392 was added to their drinking water. Then, the changes in broiler body weight, the EPI, intestinal histological structure, and gut microbiota were examined. The results show that the supplementation of the broilers' drinking water with 4 × 105 CFU/mL of Sphingomonas Z392 resulted in an increase in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Lachnospiraceae, Aminobacterium, Oribacterium, Christensenellaceae, Faecalibacterium, Barnesiella, Ruminococcus, Parabacteroides, Phascolarctobacterium, Butyricicoccaceae, and Caproiciproducens, which have been reported to be positively correlated with the improved digestion and absorption of broiler chickens. The relative abundance of Odoribacter, Alistipes, Parabacteroides, and Rikenellaceae increased, and these have been reported to be negatively correlated with the occurrence of intestinal diseases. The relative abundance of Campylobacter, Shigella Castellani, Bilophila, Campylobacter, Clostridia, and Anaerotruncus decreased, and these have been reported to be positively correlated with the occurrence of intestinal diseases. At the same time, the following also increased: the integrity of small intestinal villus morphology; the number of goblet cells in small intestinal epithelial cells; the health of the mitochondria in the cytoplasm of jejunal villous epithelial cells; the number of lysosomes in the cytoplasm of goblet cells in the small intestinal epithelium, ileal villous epithelial cells, and mitochondria in the cytoplasm of large intestinal villous epithelial cells; the VH/CD of the ileum; and digestive, absorption, and defense capabilities. In particular, the final weight increased by 4.33%, and the EPI increased by 10.10%. Therefore, the supplementation of broiler drinking water with Sphingomonas generated better economic benefits from the broiler chickens.

Effects of inclusion of the blend of essential oils, organic acids, curcumin, tannins, vitamin E, and zinc in the maternal diet, and of incubation temperature on early and late development of quail

The maternal diet and egg incubation temperature are some of the factors that can influence the embryonic development and performance of the newly chicks at 15 d of age. This study evaluated the effects of adding a blend of organic acids, essential oils, curcumin, tannins, vitamin E, and zinc microencapsulated in to the diet of female quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on their productive, reproductive performance and redox parameters of their eggs and the interaction of maternal diet × incubation temperature on embryo (E16 and E18) and chicks development. At 98 d of age, 64 female quails with a mean body weight of 150 g ± 0.5 were distributed into two treatments: a Basal diet or a diet supplemented with blend (Sannimix). The eggs from each female were incubated at 37.5°C (Control) and 38.5°C (High Temperature) throughout the incubation period. After hatching, chicks were distributed in a 2 (maternal diet) × 2 (incubation temperature) factorial design. Female quails supplemented with Sannimix showed better productive and reproductive performance and produced higher-quality embryos. Their offspring had greater weight at hatch and at 15 d of age. The eggs and offspring of supplemented with Sannimix female quails showed better oxidative stability. At E16 and E18, High Temperature increased yolk sac utilization and gene expression of the growth hormone receptor (GHR). At E16, embryos from supplemented with Sannimix female quail had higher expression of insulin-like growth factor type I (IGFI) and heat shock protein 70 kDa genes. At 15 d of age, highest expression of the GHR and IGFI genes was observed in chicks from female quails fed the Sannimix diet, regardless of incubation temperature. Regarding the maternal diet × incubation temperature an improved result was observed for chicks from female quails fed with Sannimix even when eggs are exposed to High Temperature during the incubation. The supplementation of quail diets with blend Sannimix improves productive and reproductive performance, egg quality and their embryos, as well as their offspring quality.

Influences of a Supplemental Blend of Essential Oils Plus 25-Hydroxy-Vit-D3 and Zilpaterol Hydrochloride (β2 Agonist) on Growth Performance and Carcass Measures of Feedlot Lambs Finished under Conditions of High Ambient Temperature

Forty-eight Pelibuey × Katahdin male intact lambs (25.12 ± 3.79 kg LW) were used in a 70-d growing-finishing trial. Dietary treatments consisted of total mixed corn-based diet supplemented with: (1) no feed additives (Control); (2) 150 mg of essential oils blend plus 0.10 mg of 25-hydroxy-Vit-D3/kg diet offered throughout the 70-d experimental period (EOD3); (3) Control diet fed during the first 35 days and zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) supplementation at 6 mg/kg diet offered during the final 35 days of the experiment (32 days with ZH with a withdrawal 3-d before harvest), and (4) basal diet supplemented with EOD3 during first 35 days finishing, and EOD3 in combination with ZH (EOD3 + ZH) during the subsequent 32-days with ZH withdrawal 3 days before harvest. The temperature-humidity index during the experiment averaged 80.4 ± 3.2. There were no treatment interactions (p > 0.20) on growth performance and carcass measures. Supplemental EOD3 did not affect (p = 0.43) dry matter intake (DMI), but increased (p < 0.01) carcass adjusted average daily gain (ADG, 9.2%), gain efficiency (GF, 6.7%), and observed vs. expected dietary net energy for maintenance (NEm, 4.8%) and for gain (NEg, 6.4%). Supplemental ZH did not affect dry matter intake (DMI, p = 0.50) but increased (p < 0.01) carcass adjusted ADG (14.5%), GF (13%) and observed vs. expected dietary NEm (9%) and NEg (11.7%). Compared to control lambs, the combination of both additives increased ADG (24.9%), GF (21.2%), and observed vs. expected dietary NEm and NEg (14.2% and 18.9%, respectively). There were no treatment interactions on carcass characteristics, visceral organ mass, or on gene expression of IGF1, IGF2 and mTOR in longissimus muscle (LM). Supplemental EOD3 increased hot carcass weight (HCW; 4.0%, p < 0.01) but did not affect other carcass measures. Supplemental EOD3 decreased (3%, p = 0.03) intestine mass weight (g intestine/kg empty body weight). Supplemental ZH increased HCW (6%, p < 0.01), dressing percentage (1.7%, p = 0.04), and LM area (9.7%, p < 0.01), and decreased kidney-pelvic-fat percentage (16.2%, p < 0.01), fat thickness (14.7%, p = 0.03), and visceral fat. Compared to controls, the combination of EOD3 with ZH increased HCW (10.2%). It is concluded that growth performance responses to supplemental EOD3 and ZH are additive. Both supplements can be fed in combination without detrimental effects on expected benefits when fed separately. In addition, ZH supplementation improves carcass traits.

Effects of microencapsulated essential oils and organic acids preparation on growth performance, slaughter characteristics, nutrient digestibility and intestinal microenvironment of broiler chickens

To develop effective antibiotics alternatives is getting more and more important to poultry healthy production. The study investigated the effects of a microencapsulated essential oils and organic acids preparation (EOA) on growth performance, slaughter performance, nutrient digestibility and intestinal microenvironment of broilers. A total of 624 1-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into 6 groups including the control group (T1) fed with basal diet, the antibiotic group (T2) supplemented with basal diet with 45 mg/kg bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD), and 4 inclusion levels of EOA-treated groups (T3, T4, T5, T6 groups) chickens given basal diet with 200, 400, 600, and 800 mg EOA/kg of diet, respectively. Results showed that compared with the control, the 200 mg/kg EOA group increased average daily gain (ADG) and average body weight (ABW) during the early stage (P < 0.05). EOA addition decreased crypt depth of the ileum (P < 0.05), but villus height to crypt depth ratio was increased by EOA addition at 200 and 400 mg/kg at d 21 (P < 0.05). Compared with the control, dietary addition EOA at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg increased the lipase activity in the duodenum at d 21 (P < 0.05). Increased lactic acid bacteria population was found in cecal digesta of the 400 mg/kg EOA group at d 21 (P < 0.05), and higher concentration of butyric acid level was observed in cecal digesta at d 21 and d 42 in the 200 mg/kg EOA group compared with the control (P < 0.05). RT-PCR analysis found that dietary EOA addition decreased the gene expression of IL-1β, COX-2 and TGF-β4 in the ileum at d 21 (P < 0.05), while only the 200 mg/kg EOA increased the gene expression of IL-10, TGF-β4, Claudin-1, ZO-1, CATH-1, CATH-3, AvBD-1, AvBD-9 and AvBD-12 in the ileum at d 42 (P < 0.05) compared with the control. In summary, adding 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of the EOA to the diet could improve the growth performance and intestinal microenvironment through improving intestinal morphology, increasing digestive enzymes activity and cecal lactic acid bacteria abundance and butyric acid content, improving intestinal barrier function as well as maintaining intestinal immune homeostasis. The improving effect induced by EOA addition in the early growth stage was better than that in the later growth stage. Overall, the EOA product might be an effective antibiotic alternative for broiler industry.

Research Note: Effects of the intermittent feeding of microencapsulation essential oil on laying performance, egg quality, immune response, intestinal morphology, and oxidation status of laying hens

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of microencapsulated essential oils (MEO) on the laying performance, egg quality, immunity, intestinal morphology, and oxidative status of laying hens. A total of 640 Hy-line Brown laying hens, 41 wk of age, were randomly divided into 4 groups, each with 8 replicates containing 20 birds per replicate. The dietary conditions tested included a basal diet (Control) or the basal diet supplemented with various levels of MEO at 100 mg/kg (MEO100), 300 mg/kg (MEO300), and 500 mg/kg (MEO500). The three treatment groups were intermittently fed MEO, following an alternating schedule of 1 wk on and 1 wk off for a total of 56 d. Results showed that feeding MEO at levels of 300 and 500 mg/kg improved both egg production and feed conversion ratios compared to the control group. Hens consumed MEO-supplemented diets exhibited a significant decrease in the breaking egg ratio (P < 0.05) compared to those fed the control diet. Shell thickness and Haugh unit values significantly increased in the groups receiving 300 and 500 mg/kg of MEO (P < 0.05). Both the MEO300 and MEO500 treatments led to improvements in immunoglobulin (IgA, IgM, and IgG) and cytokine (IL-2 and IFN-γ) levels in serum. Hens in the MEO300 and MEO500 groups exhibited higher values for parameters related to intestinal morphometry compared to the control group. Furthermore, supplementation with 300 and 500 mg/kg of MEO enhanced the antioxidant capacity of plasma, as evidenced by increased activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and catalase (CAT) (P < 0.05). In summary, the intermittent feeding of MEO improved egg production, enhanced antioxidative processes, immune functions, and intestinal morphology, leading to an amelioration in the egg quality of laying hens. Our data demonstrate that supplementation of 300 mg/kg of MEO in feed can significantly improve animal health and egg quality. Implementation of these feeding practices could have a positive economic impact on poultry and egg industry.

Effects of Long-Term Coated Sodium Butyrate Supplementation on the Intestinal Health and Colonization of Cecal Salmonella of Laying Hens Infected with Salmonella enteritidis

Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is widely found in chickens and eggs, and it can potentially induce human illness. The investigation in this study centers on the impacts of long-term dietary supplementation with coated sodium butyrate (CSB) on intestinal well-being and the colonization of cecum Salmonella in laying hens infected with S. Enteritidis. We segregated a total of 120 Lohmann laying hens aged 51 weeks into four treatment categories: 0 (CON), 300 (CSB1), 500 (CSB2), and 800 (CSB3) mg/kg of CSB, supplemented with CSB from the first day of the experiment. A 24-week observation process was carried out for each laying hen. The S. Enteritidis was orally administered to all chickens on the morning of the first and third days of week 22 of the trial. After the S. Enteritidis challenge, egg production decreased the most in the CON group. Compared to the CON group, the three doses of CSB significantly improved egg production after the S. Enteritidis challenge (PANOVA < 0.05). S. Enteritidis challenge increased plasma DAO activity, but CSB supplementation reduced plasma DAO activity (Plinear < 0.05). The S. Enteritidis challenge disrupted intestinal villi morphology; compared to the CON group, the three dosages of CSB resulted in an increase in villus height (VH) and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V/C) in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of infected laying hens (Plinear < 0.05), with a significant increase in jejunal villus height (PANOVA < 0.05). A decrease in ileal crypt depth was also observed (Plinear < 0.05). CSB2 and CSB3 markedly increased the content of butyric acid in the cecum (PANOVA < 0.05). Additionally, in contrast to those in the CON group, the propionic acid content in the CSB supplementation group increased (Plinear < 0.05). Compared with those in the CON group, mRNA relative expression of the IL-6 and IL-1β in jejunum (Plinear < 0.05) and mRNA relative expression of the IL-1β in ileum (PANOVA < 0.05) were significantly lower, and mRNA relative expression of the IL-10 in ileum (Plinear < 0.05) were significantly higher in the CSB group. In addition, in contrast to the CON group, the CSB supplementation group significantly upregulated mRNA relative expression of the ZO-1 and CLDN1 (PANOVA < 0.05). Additionally, CSB supplementation reduced the number of Salmonella and increased the number of Lactobacilli in the cecum (Plinear < 0.05) and tended to increase the total bacteria count (Plinear = 0.069) and reduce the E. coli count (Plinear = 0.081). In conclusion, long-term dietary supplementation with coated sodium butyrate can alleviate intestinal injury and the colonization of cecum Salmonella in laying hens infected with S. Enteritidis.

Potassium diformate alleviated inflammation of IPEC-J2 cells infected with EHEC

Potassium diformate (KDF) is a kind of formate, which possesses the advantages of antimicrobial activity, growth promotion and preventing diarrhea in weaned piglets. However, the researches of KDF in animal production mostly focused on apparent indexes such as growth performance and the mechanisms of KDF on intestinal health have not been reported. Thus, porcine small intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) infected with Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) was used to investigate the role of KDF on alleviating intestinal inflammation in this study. The 0.125 mg/mL KDF treated IPEC-J2 cells for 6 h and IPEC-J2 cells challenged with 5 × 107 CFU/mL EHEC for 4 h were confirmed as the optimum concentration and time for the following experiment. The subsequent experiment was divided into four groups: control group (CON), EHEC group, KDF group, KDF+EHEC group. The results showed that KDF increased the cell viability and the gene expression levels of SGLT3 and TGF-β, while decreased the content of IL-1β compared with the CON group. The cell viability and the gene expressions of SGLT1, SGLT3, GLUT2, Claudin-1, Occludin and TGF-β, and the protein expression of ZO-1 in EHEC group were lower than those in CON group, whereas the gene expressions of IL-1β, TNF, IL-8 and TLR4, and the level of phosphorylation NF-кB protein were increased. Pretreatment with KDF reduced the content of IgM and IL-1β, the gene expressions of IL-1β, TNF, IL-8 and TLR4 and the level of phosphorylation NF-кB protein, and increased the gene expression of TGF-β and the protein expression of Occludin in IPEC-J2 cells infected EHEC. In conclusion, 0.125 mg/mL KDF on IPEC-J2 cells for 6 h had the beneficial effects on ameliorating the intestinal inflammation because of reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhanced anti-inflammatory cytokines through regulating NF-кB signaling pathway under the EHEC challenge.

Effects of a mixture of glycerol monolaurate and cinnamaldehyde supplementation on laying performance, egg quality, and antioxidant status in laying hens

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the effects of a mixture of glycerol monolaurate and cinnamaldehyde (GCM) supplementation on the laying performance, egg quality, antioxidant capacity, and serum parameters of laying hens. A total of 1120 14-week-old Jingfen-1 strain laying hens with similar performance were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments: control, and GCM groups supplemented with 250, 500, or 1000 mg kg-1 for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, GCM-supplemented groups significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the rate of unqualified eggs of laying hens aged 17-24 weeks. Supplementation of GCM significantly increased (P < 0.05) yolk color and serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity but decreased (P < 0.05) the hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) content in the serum of laying hens at the age of 20 weeks. Furthermore, groups supplemented with GCM showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in Haugh unit, yolk color, activities of total superoxide dismutase and GSH-Px, and the glucose content in serum, and a decrease (P < 0.05) in the content of urea nitrogen and H2 O2 and malondialdehyde in serum of laying hens at the age of 24 weeks. 500 mg kg-1 GCM supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.05) the number of large white follicles and 1000 mg kg-1 GCM supplementation decreased the number of large yellow follicles in 28-week-old laying hens.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that GCM supplementation has positive effects on reducing egg loss and improving egg quality in the early laying period of laying hens. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of essential oils on egg production and feed efficiency as influenced by laying hen breed: A meta-analysis

Background and Aim

Successful rearing of laying hens to achieve optimal egg production is an endeavor that often faces various constraints and challenges, such as infectious diseases, environmental stressors, and fluctuations in feed quality. The incorporation of essential oils (EOs) into the diet of laying hens has attracted considerable attention in recent years. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of EO inclusion in laying hen diets by considering the effects of production phase and breed on performance, egg quality, serum biochemistry, gut health, and antioxidant activity.

Materials and Methods

The articles were obtained from the Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed using the search terms "essential oils," "laying hens," and "phytobiotics." Data from 27 articles and 71 experiments were grouped according to laying hen production phase and breed in the database. The EO levels ranged from 0 to 1000 mg/kg, with thymol and carvacrol being the major EOs. A mixed model was used to analyze the data. Random effects were applied to the treatment, and fixed effects were applied to EO level, production phase, and breed.

Results

Egg production, feed intake, feed efficiency, eggshell quality, villus height, crypt depth, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase levels increased linearly (p = 0.05) and egg weight and mass increased quadratically (p < 0.05) with increasing EO concentrations. An interaction was observed between the EO level egg production and feed conversion ratio (p = 0.05). Serum glucose, cholesterol, and malondialdehyde levels decreased with increasing EO concentrations (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The inclusion of EOs effectively increased egg production, feed efficiency, egg weight, egg mass, eggshell quality, oxidative enzymes, and intestinal health. In addition, the proportion of dietary EOs in lightweight laying hens was higher than that in semi-heavy-weight laying hens in improving egg production and feeding efficiency.

Peppermint extract improves egg production and quality, increases antioxidant capacity, and alters cecal microbiota in late-phase laying hens

Introduction

Peppermint contains substantial bioactive ingredients belonging to the phytoestrogens, and its effects on the production of late-laying hens deserve more attention. This study evaluated the effects of dietary peppermint extract (PE) supplementation on egg production and quality, yolk fatty acid composition, antioxidant capacity, and cecal microbiota in late-phase laying hens.

Method

PE powder was identified by UPLC-MS/MS analysis. Two hundred and sixteen laying hens (60 weeks old) were randomly assigned to four treatments, each for 28 days: (i) basal diet (control group, CON); (ii) basal diet + 0.1% PE; (iii) basal diet + 0.2% PE; and (iv) basal diet + 0.4% PE. Egg, serum, and cecal samples were collected for analysis.

Results

Dietary PE supplementation increased the laying rate, serum triglyceride, immunoglobulin G, and total antioxidant capacity, while 0.2 and 0.4% PE supplementation increased eggshell thickness, serum total protein level, and superoxide dismutase activity of laying hens compared with the CON group (P < 0.05). PE addition in diets increased the C14:0, C18:3n3, C18:3n6, C23:0, C24:0, and C24:1n9 contents in the yolk. In addition, the egg yolk saturated fatty acid content was higher (P < 0.05) in the 0.2 and 0.4% PE groups compared with the CON and 0.1% PE groups. The microbiota analysis revealed that the cecal phylum Proteobacteria was decreased (P < 0.05) in the PE-supplemented groups. A total of 0.4% PE supplementation increased the cecal richness of gram-positive bacteria and decreased the richness of gram-negative and potentially pathogenic bacteria compared with the 0.1% PE group (P < 0.05). Microbial function prediction analysis showed that the cecal microbiota of the PE group was mainly enriched by fatty acid degradation, fatty acid metabolism, amino sugar metabolism, nucleotide sugar metabolism, and other pathways. Regression analysis suggested that 0.28-0.36% PE supplementation was the optimal level for improving egg production and quality, antioxidant capacity, and yolk fatty acid in late-phase laying hens.

Discussion

Dietary PE supplementation improved egg production and quality (including yolk fatty acid composition) by increasing serum IgG and antioxidant capacity and modulating the intestinal microbiota in late-phase laying hens.

Essential Oils Combined with Vitamin D3 or with Probiotic as an Alternative to the Ionophore Monensin Supplemented in High-Energy Diets for Lambs Long-Term Finished under Subtropical Climate

Supplementation with natural additives such as essential oils (EO) or probiotics has resulted in comparable growth performance to that of supplemental monensin in fattening lambs in hot environments. Supra-supplementation levels of vitamin D3 improved the carcass weight and dressing percentage of steers fattened under tropical conditions. We hypothesized that certain combinations of these natural additives could be complementary. For this reason, a feeding trial was carried out using 48 Pelibuey × Katahdin non-castrated male lambs (107 ± 14 d age; 17.9 ± 2.51 kg LW). Lambs were fed an 88:12 concentrate to forage ratio basal diet supplemented (dry matter basis, DMI) with: (1) no additive (CON); (2) 28 mg monensin/kg diet (MON); (3) 150 mg of essential oils containing a combination of thymol, eugenol, vanillin, guaiac, and limonene plus 0.12 mg vitamin D3 (EO + D3)/kg diet; and (4) 300 mg of essential oils containing a combination of carvacrol and cynamaldehyde plus 2 g probiotic (2.2 × 108 CFU of bacillus subtilis/kg diet, EO + BS). Lambs were grouped by initial weight and assigned within six weight groupings to 24 pens (2 lambs/pen, 6 replicas per treatment) in a randomized complete block design. The experiment lasted 121 days. Daily maximal THI exceeded the 80 "danger or "emergency" range for 119 days of the 121 days of the trial. Lambs supplemented with MON had similar DMI, growth performance, and dietary energetics to those of CON lambs. Lambs supplemented with EO + BS had a greater (9.2%, p ≤ 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) than the CON and MON groups due to enhanced (10.2%, p ≤ 0.05) dry matter intake. Thus, gain efficiency (GF) and estimated dietary energy were similar for CON, MON, and EO + BS. Lambs receiving EO + D3 had similar (0.254 vs. 0.262 kg/d) ADG but a lower DMI (8%, p < 0.05) compared with EO + BS lambs. Consequently, GF and estimated dietary net energy were greater (4.9 and 3.7%, respectively; p ≤ 0.05) for EO + D3 lambs. Even when ambient heat load was elevated, the efficiency of utilization of dietary energy (observed-to-expected dietary net energy) was close to 1.00 (0.992) expected for EO + D3 lambs. In contrast, efficiency of energy utilization was depressed by -4.4% for lambs on the other treatments. Compared with the other treatments, lambs receiving EO + D3 had greater longissimus muscle area (5.6%, p < 0.05) and lower kidney pelvic fat (21.8%, p ≤ 0.05). There were no treatment effects on shoulder tissue composition or whole cuts (expressed as % of cold carcass weight). Compared to CON, lambs that were fed with natural additives showed 3.5% lower (p ≤ 0.05) intestine mass. All supplemental additives decreased visceral fat mass, which was minimal with EO + D3 treatment. Combinations of essential oils with vitamins or probiotics were superior to antibiotic monensin in finishing diets for feedlot lambs. Combining EO with probiotics promoted DM intake and gain but not gain efficiency, while combining EO with vitamin D3 supra-supplementation increased dietary energy efficiency and improved some carcass characteristics in lambs fattening under high ambient heat loads.

Effects of Thymol and Carvacrol Eutectic on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters, and Intestinal Health in Broiler Chickens

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of diets supplementing with various levels of thymol and carvacrol eutectic (TCE) on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, intestinal morphology, and the expression of intestinal nutrient absorption, barrier function- and inflammation-related genes in broiler chickens. A total of 640 one-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers with similar body weights were randomly divided into four groups (8 replicates/group, 20 broilers/replicate). Birds in the four experimental groups were fed a basal diet with TCE at 0, 30, 60, or 120 mg/kg. The results showed that the growth performance of birds during 22-42 d or 1-42 d, serum IgE and IgG content at 21 d of age, jejunal and ileal morphology, ileal MUC2, OCLN, and IL-10 mRNA expression were significantly increased compared with the control group (p < 0.05), and the ileal IL-6 mRNA expression quadratically decreased (p < 0.05) with increasing dietary TCE supplemented dosage, and its expression showed a linear downward trend (0.05 < p < 0.1). Meanwhile, compared with the other three groups, birds fed diets with 30 mg/kg TCE presented better (p < 0.05) growth performance, intestinal morphology, and function. These results indicated that the optimal supplementation amount of TCE in the broiler diets was 30 mg/kg.

Effect of adding lavender oil to laying quail diets on performance, egg quality, oxidative status, and fatty acid profile

This study aims to investigate the effects of lavender essential oil on performance, egg quality parameters in quails, malondialdehyde (MDA) in fresh and stored (28 days at ₊4°C) eggs, and individual and total fatty acids. To this end, 100 female quails (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) which were 5 weeks old with an average weight of 224 g were used. The study lasted 45 days, including 10 days of introduction and 35 days of study. Quails were fed ad libitum with four different treatments. Four groups were formed as control groups (0g lavender essential oil/kg feed), Lav125 (125mg lavender essential oil/kg feed), Lav250 (250mg lavender essential oil/kg feed), and Lav500 (500mg lavender essential oil/kg feed). There were five subgroups under each group and five quails in each subgroup. Feed consumption and egg weight parameters increased in Lav500 group compared to the control group (p<0.05). The highest egg yield compared to the control group was determined in Lav500 group (p>0.05), and the highest egg mass compared to the control group was determined in Lav125 group. The highest feed conversion ratio compared to the control group was in Lav250 group (p>0.05). In addition, egg white height and Haugh Unit (HU) compared to the control group were the highest in Lav500 group (p<0.05). The MDA concentration decreased in Lav125 and Lav250 group in fresh and in Lav500 group in stored eggs (at +4C for 28 days) compared to the control group (p<0.05). Omega 3 fatty acids in fresh and stored eggs were higher in lavender groups compared to the control group (p<0.05). However, the concentration of omega 9 (oleic acid) fatty acid decreased in the lavender groups compared to the control group (p<0.05). As a result, it was found that adding lavender essential oil to the diet leads to an increase in body weight, egg yield, egg mass, egg weight, egg white height, HU, omega 3 fatty acids, and a decrease in MDA concentration.

Modulation of Immunity, Antioxidant Status, Performance, Blood Hematology, and Intestinal Histomorphometry in Response to Dietary Inclusion of Origanum majorana in Domestic Pigeons’ Diet

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of adding Origanum majorana (OM) powder to domestic pigeon diets on growth performance, feeding and drinking behaviour, blood hematology, blood biochemical parameters, blood inflammatory and oxidative markers, carcass characteristics, the weights of lymphoid organs, and and intestinal cecal, and bursa of Fabricius histology. A random distribution of fifty-four unsexed pigeon squabs (30 days old, average body weight; 321 g ± 7.5) into three groups was done. The first group was fed the grower basal diet without adding OM powder, while OM powder was added at levels of 0.5 and 1% to the basal diets of the second and third groups, respectively. The changes in growth performance parameters and feeding and drinking behavior under OM powder’s effect were insignificant. However, the lymphoid organs (spleen and thymus) significantly increased in weight (p < 0.05) in the OM-fed groups. Moreover, blood examination showed positive responses to OM powder in terms of blood cell counts (RBCs andWBCs), and the values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, lymphocyte numbers, levels of globulin, and glutathione peroxidase enzyme were significantly increased. The numbers of heterophils, the ratio of heterophil to lymphocyte, malondialdehyde levels were reduced (p < 0.05). Histomorphometry examination revealed increases in intestinal villi height, cecal thickness, and bursal follicle area and number. These results indicated that adding OM powder to the pigeon diet may improve their immunity, increase their antioxidant status, and correct some hematological disorders.

Alternative additives associated in the feeding of laying hens: performance, biometrics, bone traits, and economic evaluation-an unsupervised machine learning approach

Given the current bans on the use of some growth promoting antibiotics in poultry nutrition, the need to use alternative additives which could replace traditional promoters in diets has arisen. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of alternative additives, associated or not, in replacing the antibiotic growth promoter in the diets of laying hens on performance, egg quality, biometry, bone characteristics, and economic viability. A total of 378 birds at 97 weeks of age, weighing 1691 ± 80g with an average production of 79.96 ± 4.9%, were randomly distributed and submitted to different diets: negative control - NC (no additive); positive control - PC, conventional growth promoter (Enramycin); associated organic acids (OA); symbiotic (S); Essential oil (EO); OA + S; and S+EO. The diet did not influence (P > 0.05) performance, egg quality, biometry, and bone traits. However, the use of alternative additives and their associations with the exception of S+OA, provided better economic indices when compared to NC and CP. The first component showed a negative relationship between feed conversion per mass and dozen eggs with gut length, Seedor index, egg production, and egg mass; the second component showed a positive relationship between yolk, pancreas, proventriculus, and gizzard; and, finally, the third component showed that feed consumption has a negative relationship with bone strength and deformity. The first two canonical functions were significant and discriminated 100% of the differences between the diets. Moreover, 50% of the birds were correctly classified in their group of origin, in which the positive control group (83.3%) and OA+S presented the highest rates of correct responses (66.7%). Bone deformity and bowel length were the only two variables with discriminatory power. Natural growth promoters alone or in association do not harm performance, egg quality, digestive organs biometry or bird bone characteristics, in addition to promoting greater economic return. Thus, they can be considered possible substitutes for traditional antibiotics. Finally, unsupervised machine learning methods are useful statistical techniques to study the relationship of variables and point out the main biomarkers of poultry production.

Effect of benzoic acid, Enterococcus faecium, and essential oil complex on intestinal microbiota of laying hens under coccidia and Clostridium perfringens challenge

The objective of this study was to investigate whether dietary supplementation with benzoic acid, Enterococcus faecium, and essential oil complex (BEC) could help laying hens recover from coccidia and Clostridium perfringens type A challenge. A total of 60 (35-wk-old) Lohmann-laying hens were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups (10 replicates with 2 hens per replicate): I) control group (CON), II) challenge group (CC), and III) BEC group (2,000 mg/kg BEC). The total experimental period was 8 wk. The results shown that the challenge layers had lower egg-laying rate and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P < 0.05), and addition of BEC after challenge increased egg-laying rate (P < 0.05). The content of propionic acid (PA) and butyric acid (BA) in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) was significantly decreased by challenge (P < 0.05). CC and BEC groups had lower villus height to crypt depth ratio (V/C) and higher pathological scores in duodenum (P < 0.05), whereas the BEC group had lower pathological scores in jejunum when compared with the CC group (P < 0.05). The challenge increased the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) (P < 0.05). An increase in the abundance of Bacteroidoes (genus), Bacteroidaceae (family), Bacteroidoes sp. Marseille P3166 (species), Bacteroidoes caecicola (species) was observed in the CC group, whereas the BEC group had higher abundance of Bacteroides caecigallinarum (species). The genera Faecalibacterium and Asterolplasma were positively correlated with egg-laying rate (r = 0.57, 0.60; P < 0.01); and the genera Bacteroides and Romboutsia were negatively correlated with egg-laying rate (r = -0.58, -0.74; P < 0.01). The genera Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, and Rombutzia were positively correlated with jejunal mucosa proinflammatory factor IL-1β level (r = 0.61, 0.60, 0.59; P < 0.01), which were negatively correlated with genera Rikenbacteriaceae RC9, Faecalibacterium, and Olsenlla (r = -0.56, -0.57, -0.61; P < 0.01). There genera UCG.005 was positively correlated with proinflammatory factor IL-6 level in jejunal mucosa (r = 0.58; P < 0.01), which was negatively correlated with Rikenbacteriaceae RC9 (r = -0.62; P < 0.01). The experiment results revealed that the addition of BEC to the diet restored the production performance of the laying hens. In addition, supplementation of 2,000 mg/kg BEC modulated gut health by reducing gut damage scores and modulating microbial composition, thereby promoting recovery of laying hens after coccidia and Clostridium perfringens challenge.

Effect of dietary essential oil of oregano on performance parameters, gastrointestinal traits, blood lipid profile, and antioxidant capacity of laying hens during the pullet phase

Many benefits have been found in supplementing essential oils such as oregano oil (EOO) to poultry, including increased body weight gain, antioxidant activity, and better gastrointestinal morphology. However, few studies tested the influence of EOO supplementation on laying hens and reported conflicting results regarding its efficacy in improving their health and performance. Therefore, we aimed to explore the effects of dietary EOO on performance, gastrointestinal (GIT) traits, blood lipid, and antioxidant capacity in laying hens during the rearing phase. A total of 300-day-old Hy-line-Brown chicks were used, and treatment diets consisted of corn-soybean based either without (CON) or with EOO (Ecodiar®, 0.275 g/kg diet). Birds were randomized across treatments with five pens/treatment and 30-birds/pen. Pen weights and feed rejected were recorded every two weeks (1-17 weeks of age), to calculate daily feed intake (ADFI), body weight (BW), and daily weight gain (ADWG). At 11 and 14 weeks of age, blood samples were collected from 3 birds/pen and analyzed for blood lipids and antioxidant levels, and 5-birds/treatment were euthanized, and GIT traits were tested. Differences in measured parameters across weeks and between treatments were assessed using GLMM with Tukey’s Post hoc test applied to significant results in R 3.3.1 (α set at 0.05). Body weights at weeks 3, 11, 13, and 17 were significantly higher in the EOO group compared to the CON group (all P ≤ 0.05), ADWG was significantly higher in EOO birds compared to CON birds at 9 and 13 weeks old (all P ≤ 0.05), while no significant differences in ADFI were observed between treatments across weeks of the trials. At both 11 and 17 weeks old, triglyceride levels were significantly lower, while high-density-lipoprotein levels were higher in EOO (all P ≤ 0.05). Malondialdehyde levels were lower in the EOO group versus CON (p=0.01), while EOO birds had higher glutathione levels (p=0.01) than CON. Finally, at 12 weeks old, the weight of the entire GIT and empty gizzard were higher in the EOO group versus CON (all P ≤ 0.05), while liver and spleen weights were not significantly different between groups. In conclusion, dietary oregano supplementation exerted promoting effects on the performance of Hy-Line Brown pullets.

Dietary Oregano Essential Oil Supplementation Influences Production Performance and Gut Microbiota in Late-Phase Laying Hens Fed Wheat-Based Diets

This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of OEO on production performance, egg quality, fatty acid composition in yolk, and cecum microbiota of hens in the late phase of production. A total of 350 58-week-old Jing Tint Six laying hens were randomly divided into five groups: (1) fed a basal diet (control); (2) fed a basal diet + 5 mg/kg flavomycin (AGP); (3) fed a basal diet + 100 mg/kg oregano essential oil + 20 mg/kg cinnamaldehyde (EO1); (4) fed a basal diet + 200 mg/kg oregano essential oil + 20 mg/kg cinnamaldehyde (EO2); (5) fed a basal diet + 300 mg/kg oregano essential oil + 20 mg/kg cinnamaldehyde (EO3). Compared to the control group, group EO2 exhibited higher (p < 0.05) egg production during weeks 5−8 and 1−8. EO2 had a lower feed conversion ratio than the control group during weeks 1−8. The content of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) in EO2 was higher (p < 0.05) than that of the control and AGP groups. EO2 increased (p < 0.05) the abundance of Actinobacteriota and decreased the abundance of Desulfovibri in the cecum. The abundances of Anaerofilum, Fournierella, Fusobacterium, and Sutterella were positively correlated with egg production, feed conversion ratio, and average daily feed intake, while the abundances of Bacteroides, Desulfovibrio, Lactobacillus, Methanobrevibacter, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group were negatively correlated with egg production, feed conversion ratio, and average daily feed intake. Dietary supplementation with 200 mg/kg OEO and 20 mg/kg cinnamaldehyde could improve egg-production performance, decrease feed conversion ratio, and alter the fatty acid and microbial composition of eggs from late-phase laying hens.

Dietary coated essential oil and organic acid mixture supplementation improves health of broilers infected with avian pathogenic Escherichia coli

Colibacillosis caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is a very prevalent disease in poultry farms in China. The exploration of effective non-antibiotic substances is of great significance for the control of APEC infections. This experiment evaluated the efficacy of coated essential oil and organic acid (EOA) supplementation to prevent E. coli O78 infection in broiler chickens. A total of 288 one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 4 groups with 6 replicates per group. Chickens were fed a diet either supplemented with EOA (500 mg/kg feed) or not, and either uninfected or infected with E. coli O78 intratracheally. Results showed that E. coli O78 infection reduced body weight gain, increased mortality and the ratio of feed to gain along with cecal and liver E. coli load, damaged gut mucosa, induced local and systemic inflammation, and altered cecal microbial composition, diversity and function (P < 0.05). Supplemental EOA improved feed conversion efficiency, lowered gross lesion scores and cecal E. coli population, enhanced intestinal goblet cells and serum IgG concentration, and tended to decrease serum IL-12 production (P < 0.05). Essential oil and organic acid addition downregulated IFN-γ mRNA, tended to decrease mucin-2 mRNA levels while upregulating IL-10 mRNA, and tended to increase ZO-1 gene expression in the jejuna of infected birds at 7 d after E. coli O78 challenge (P < 0.05). The 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that both EOA addition and E. coli O78 challenge altered the diversity and composition of the cecal microbiota community. Furthermore, infected birds fed EOA showed decreased Bacteroidetes and genus Lactobacillus abundance compared with the infected control. LEfSe analysis showed that Firmicutes, Ruminococcaceae, Clostridiales, Clostridia, Lactobacillus, Lactobacilaceae, and cc-115 were enriched in the non-infected but EOA-treated group (P < 0.05). Collectively, dietary EOA supplementation could mildly alleviate E. coli-induced gut injury and inflammation.

Intestinal health improvement with protected organic acids and essential oils for pullets raised under field conditions

We investigated the dietary supplementation of protected organic acids and essential Oils P(OA+EO) in pullets raised under commercial conditions. A total of 208,000 pullets Lohmann at 2-weeks-old were assigned to receive 1 of 2 treatments: T1, control diet used in the farm; T2, control diet and P(OA+EO) at 300 g/t (fumaric, sorbic, citric and malic acids + thymol, eugenol and vanillin microencapsulated in hydrogenated vegetable fat - Jefo Nutrition Inc. Canada). P(OA+EO) was supplemented from 2 to 18 weeks and the trial lasted 21 weeks. At weeks 6, 12 and 21, 12 pullets/treatment were used for blood sampling and necropsy for ISI – I See Inside. A completely randomized design consisting of 2 treatments, each with 12 replicates of 1 hen/replicate, was used. To evaluate intestinal integrity, birds were inoculated with fluorescein-isothiocyanate labelled dextran (FITC-d) and blood samples were collected after 1.5 h. The macroscopic ISI score of alterations were classified to be presented as: overall health ISI (sum of the scores assigned for intestine, liver, proventriculus, annex glands, locomotor, and respiratory systems) and macro-intestinal ISI (sum of the scores assigned for duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and cecum). The histologic intestinal ISI alterations were evaluated in the ileum. A low ISI index represents better health status. Pullets on P(OA+EO) had lower (P&lt; 0.001) levels of FITC-d recovered in the blood, which is related to reduced leaky gut. They also presented lower overall health ISI score at weeks 6 (P = 0.002) and 12 (P = 0.003), lower macro intestinal ISI score at weeks 6 (P = 0.0001) and 21 (P = 0.004) and, lower histologic intestinal ISI score of alterations at weeks 6 (P = 0.09), 12 (P = 0.0006), and 21 (P&lt; 0.0001), which is associated to better overall health. In addition, at week 21, pullets on P(OA+EO) did not present Eimeria oocysts while the control treatment did (P&lt; 0.0001). In conclusion, the blend of protected organic acids and essential oils evaluated can be used to improve intestinal and overall health status in commercial pullets.

Effects of Dietary Essential Oils Supplementation on Egg Quality, Biochemical Parameters, and Gut Microbiota of Late-Laying Hens

The objective of this study was to explore the effects of adding essential oils (EO) to diets on egg quality, biochemical parameters and intestinal flora of late laying hens. The number of 252 Dawu Golden Phoenix laying hens (55 weeks old) were randomly sorted into two groups: the control group (CG) fed a basal diet and the EO group fed a basal diet with 300 mg/kg of essential oils. The average egg weight, feed-to-egg ratio, and egg production rate were determined every week. The trial started at week 55 and lasted for 8 weeks. During the experiment’s last week, 36 eggs out of each group were chosen at random to test. In our study, dietary supplementation with EO considerably decreased the egg breaking rate (p = 0.01) and increased the shell-breaking strength (p = 0.04). The treatment group’s alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were considerably lower than those of the control group (p = 0.03). The EO group had substantially higher total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) (p = 0.04 and p =0.03, respectively). However, there were no differences in alpha diversity indicators between the two groups. It is worth noting that Firmicutes were increased considerably (p < 0.05), while Spirochaetota and Proteobacteria were significantly reduced in the EO group. At genus levels, the EO supplementation increased the relative abundance of Intestinimonas (p < 0.05) and Megamonas (p < 0.01). In conclusion, a dietary supplementation of 300 mg/kg EO can improve the production performance of laying hens and the egg quality. It can also regulate the abundance of cecal flora and serum biochemical indicators.

Natural Products of Plants and Animal Origin Improve Albumen Quality of Chicken Eggs

Albumen quality is recognized as one of the major yardsticks in measuring egg quality. The elasticity of thick albumen, a strong bond in the ovomucin-lysozyme complex, and excellent biological properties are indicators of high-quality albumen. The albumen quality prior to egg storage contribute to enhance egg’s shelf life and economic value. Evidence suggests that albumen quality can deteriorate due to changes in albumen structure, such as the degradation of β-ovomucin subunit and O-glyosidic bonds, the collapse of the ovomucin-lysozyme complex, and a decrease in albumen protein-protein interaction. Using organic minerals, natural plants and animal products with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, high biological value, no residue effect and toxicity risk could improve albumen quality. These natural products (e.g., tea polyphenols, marigold extract, magnolol, essential oils, Upro (small peptide), yeast cell wall, Bacillus species, a purified amino acid from animal blood, and pumpkin seed meal) are bio-fortified into eggs, thus enhancing the biological and technological function of the albumen. Multiple strategies to meeting laying hens’ metabolic requirements and improvement in albumen quality are described in this review, including the use of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, essential oils, prebiotics, probiotics, organic trace elements, and phytogenic as feed additives. From this analysis, natural products can improve animal health and consequently albumen quality. Future research should focus on effects of these natural products in extending shelf life of the albumen during storage and at different storage conditions. Research in that direction may provide insight into albumen quality and its biological value in fresh and stored eggs.

Effects of coated sodium butyrate on performance, egg quality, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal health of laying hens

This study determined the effects of coated sodium butyrate (CSB) on production performance, egg quality, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal health of laying hens. We divided a total of 800 Lohmann laying hens, aged 51 wk, into 4 treatment groups: 0 (CON), 300 (CSB1), 500 (CSB2), and 800 (CSB3) mg/kg of CSB. Each group comprised 20 birds, with 10 replicates set. A 12-wk monitoring process was conducted for each laying hen. Compared to CON, dietary supplementation of CSB did not affect the average daily feed intake or the egg weight. The CSB3 group demonstrated a linear increase in the production performance (P < 0.05), with decreased feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). CSB2 and CSB3 exhibited markedly elevated egg mass (P < 0.05). The CSB supplementation markedly enhanced the yolk color (P < 0.05). CSB1 improved the digestibility of dry matter (P = 0.029). No significant differences were observed among dietary treatments in the duodenal morphology (P > 0.05). The three dosages of CSB reduced the crypt depth (P < 0.05) in the jejunum, whereas CSB3 exhibited an increase in the villus height (VH; P = 0.048). The CSB3 group showed a markedly elevated ileal VH (P = 0.011). CSB supplementation significantly increased the butyric acid content in the cecum (P = 0.009). The hens fed on the 800 mg/kg CSB diet showed a significant increase (P = 0.029) in butyric acid content in the ileum. The CSB3 group showed an elevation in microbial diversity (P < 0.05). Additionally, at the phylum level, the CSB3 increased the enrichment of Bacteroidetes, the CSB2 increased Firmicutes, and the abundance of Deferribacteres was increased in CSB2 and CSB3 groups (P < 0.05). An enrichment of Muribaculaceae (family) was observed in the CSB3 group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of CSB improved production, yolk color, intestinal morphology, butyrate content, and microbial composition in laying hens.

Microencapsulated basil oil (Ocimum basilicum Linn.) enhances growth performance, intestinal morphology, and antioxidant capacity of broiler chickens in the tropics

OBJECTIVE

Microencapsulation is a technique to improve stability, bioavailability, and controlled release of active ingredients at a target site. This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of microencapsulated basil oil (MBO) on growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility (AID), jejunal histomorphology, bacterial population as well as antioxidant capacity of broiler chickens in a tropical climate.

METHODS

A total of 288 one-day-old female broilers (Ross 308) were randomly allocated into 4 groups (6 replicates of 12 birds), based on a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments were as follows: i) basal diet (NC), ii) basal diet with avilamycin at 10 ppm (PC), iii) basal diet with free basil oil (FBO) at 500 ppm, and iv) basal diet with MBO at 500 ppm, respectively.

RESULTS

Dietary supplementation of MBO improved average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio of broilers throughout the 42-d trial period (p<0.05), whereas MBO did not affect average daily feed intake compared with NC group. The broilers fed MBO diet exhibited a greater AID of crude protein and gross energy compared with those in other groups (p<0.05). Lactobacillus spp. and Escherichia coli populations were not affected by feeding dietary treatments. Both FBO and MBO had positive effects on jejunal villus height (VH), villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) and villus surface area of broilers compared to NC and PC groups (p<0.05). Superoxide dismutase level in the duodenal mucosa of MBO group was significantly increased (p<0.01), whereas malondialdehyde level was significantly decreased (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Microencapsulation could be considered as a promising driver of the basil oil efficiency, consequently MBO at 500 ppm could be potentially used as a feed additive for improvement of intestinal integrity and nutrient utilization, leading to better performance of broiler chickens.

Effects of in ovo feeding and dietary addition oils on growth performance and immune function of broiler chickens

This study aimed to investigate the effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) and dietary addition (DA) oils on growth, development and immune function of broiler chickens. In experiment 1, a total of 500 eggs were randomly assigned to 3 treatments: non-injected group (CON) with 100 eggs; soybean oil injected group (SO) with 200 eggs and linseed oil injected group (LO) with 200 eggs. Results showed that there were no detrimental effects of IOF of oils on embryonic development. In experiment 2, a two factor experimental design was adopted. After hatching, 120 chicks which came from each oil-injected group were divided into 2 treatments with 6 replicates, and chickens were fed soybean oil diet and linseed oil diet, respectively. The results showed that DA linseed oil increased final body weight (FBW) of broilers at d 21 post hatch, IOF of linseed oil decreased average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broilers from d 1 to 21 (P < 0.05), while the plasma leptin level of 21-day-old broilers was increased by IOF or DA linseed oil (P < 0.05). Main effect analysis showed that DA linseed oil increased the spleen index and mRNA expression of IFN-γ in spleen of broilers at 7 d of age (P < 0.05). IOF of linseed oil upregulated the mRNA expression of IFN-γ in the spleen of chicks at 1 d and mRNA expression of IL-2 and IL-4 in spleen of broilers at 21 d (P < 0.05), and the interaction effect showed that IOF and DA linseed oil synergically increased the expression of IL-2 and IL-4 in spleen of broilers at 21 d. Compared with SO group, LO increased the Shannon index of hatching-day cecum microflora (P < 0.05). Principal co-ordinates analysis (PcoA) showed that LO group clearly separated from CON and SO groups. Finally, Spearman correlation analysis also manifested that Alkalicoccus was significantly correlated with spleen index and mRNA expression of IL-2, and Phreatobacter was significantly correlated with the mRNA expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ in spleen, Acinetobacter had a positive correlation with thymus index (P < 0.05). In conclusion, IOF of linseed oil reduced the ADFI and FCR of broilers and increased the species diversity and changed the structure of cecal microflora of chicken embryos at the 19th day of incubation (E19). Immune function of broilers spleen was also regulated by IOF and DA linseed oil.

Regulatory Effects of Combined Dietary Supplementation With Essential Oils and Organic Acids on Microbial Communities of Cobb Broilers

The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance genes in pathogenic microorganisms have resulted in many countries restricting the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed. The combined use of essential oils and organic acids can help maintain intestinal health, improve animal growth performance, and alleviate the negative effects of banned antibiotics for certain economically important animals. Although the modes of action for the combined dietary supplementation of essential oils and organic acids such as thymol-citric acid (EOA1) and thymol-butyric acid (EOA2) remain unclear, it is speculated that their activities are achieved through beneficial modulation of gastrointestinal microbial communities and inhibition of pathogen growth. In this study, 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing was used to analyze the effects of treatment with EOA1 and EOA2 on the jejunal, cecal, and fecal microbial communities of Cobb broilers while also evaluating effects over different broiler ages. The intestinal microbial communities of broilers developed with increasing age, and Lactobacillus gradually came to dominate the intestinal communities of treated broilers. Further, the microbial communities of feces were more complex than those of the jejuna and ceca. We systematically elucidate that the longitudinal changes in the intestinal microbial communities of Cobb broiler chickens at different ages. Meanwhile, we found that the addition of EOA1 or EOA2 to the diet: (1) inhibited the proliferation of Ralstonia pickettii and Alcaligenaceae in the jejuna on day 28, (2) promoted the colonization and growth of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Clostridia, and Bacteroidia at various growth stages, and (3) enriched the abundance of certain microbiota functions, including biological pathways related to metabolism (e.g., enzyme families). Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate that EOA1 and EOA2 dietary supplementation can affect various microbial metabolic pathways related to the metabolism and absorption of nutrients via regulation of the intestinal microbial community structures of Cobb broilers.

Effect of blending encapsulated essential oils and organic acids as an antibiotic growth promoter alternative on growth performance and intestinal health in broilers with necrotic enteritis

The effects of a blend of encapsulated organic acids with essential oils (EOA) as an alternative to antimicrobial growth promoter (AGP) on growth performance and gut health of Eimeria spp./Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) in chickens infected with necrotic enteritis (NE) broilers was investigated. A total of 432 male Arbor Acres broilers (1-day-old) were randomly distributed into 6 treatment groups, namely noninfected negative control (A); NE-infected positive control (D); NE-infected broiler chickens fed a basal diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) plus 90 mg/kg monensin; and NE-infected broiler chicken fed 200; 500; and 800 mg/kg EOA (E, F, G, and H group). Feeding EOA at 200 and 500 mg/kg considerably improved the feed conversion ratio, reduced gut lesions, serum fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran level, and C. perfringens load in the caecum and liver of the NE-infected broiler chickens. This feed was similar to AGP. Furthermore, the increased villous height-to-crypt depth ratio and goblet cells counts, upregulated claudin-1, glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) mRNA gene expression, downregulated occludin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), toll-like receptor (TLR-4), interleukin (IL-1β), interferon γ (IFN-γ), TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF-6), tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 15 (TNFSF15), and Toll-interacting protein (Tollip) genes expression in the jejunum were observed in the NE-infected broiler chickens that received EOA at 200 and 500 mg/kg compared with those of the single NE-challenged groups without EOA supplementations (P < 0.05). The 16S analysis revealed that EOA supplemented with 200 or 500 mg/kg enriched relative abundance of Lactobacillus, unclassified_Lachnospiraceae, and Enterococcus, and carbohydrate metabolic pathways but suppressed unclassified_Erysipelotrichacease and organismal systems involved in the immune system (P < 0.05). Feeding EOA could alleviate NE-induced gut impairment and growth depression and modulate cecal microbiota composition, which has potential as antimicrobial alternatives.

Phytogenic Feed Additives in Poultry: Achievements, Prospective and Challenges

Simple Summary

Plant secondary metabolites and essential oils also known as phytogenics are biologically active compounds that have recently attracted increased interest as feed additives in poultry production, due to their ability to promote feed efficiency by enhancing the production of digestive secretions and nutrient absorption, reduce pathogenic load in the gut, exert antioxidant properties and decrease the microbial burden on the animal’s immune status. However, the mechanisms are far from being fully elucidated. Better understanding the interaction of phytogenics with gastrointestinal function and health as well as other feed ingredients/additives is crucial to design potentially cost-effective blends.

Abstract

Phytogenic feed additives have been largely tested in poultry production with the aim to identify their effects on the gastrointestinal function and health, and their implications on the birds’ systemic health and welfare, the production efficiency of flocks, food safety, and environmental impact. These feed additives originating from plants, and consisting of herbs, spices, fruit, and other plant parts, include many different bioactive ingredients. Reviewing published documents about the supplementation of phytogenic feed additives reveals contradictory results regarding their effectiveness in poultry production. This indicates that more effort is still needed to determine the appropriate inclusion levels and fully elucidate their mode of actions. In this frame, this review aimed to sum up the current trends in the use of phytogenic feed additives in poultry with a special focus on their interaction with gut ecosystem, gut function, in vivo oxidative status and immune system as well as other feed additives, especially organic acids.

Effects of essential oil/palygorskite composite on performance, egg quality, plasma biochemistry, oxidation status, immune response and intestinal morphology of laying hens

The current study aimed to assess the effects of different levels of essential oil/palygorskite composite (EO-PGS) supplementation on performance, egg quality, oxidative status, immunity and intestinal morphology of laying hens. A total of 480 laying hens aged 65 wk were randomly assigned into 4 groups (6 replicates of 20 hens each). Hens were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0 (control diet), 0.5, 0.75 or 1.0 g/kg EO-PGS for 56 d. Data were analyzed by One-way ANOVA. Results showed that birds fed with diet supplemented with EO-PGS had increased the egg production (P < 0.05) more than birds fed with control diet. The yolk index and shell thickness were increased in 0.75 and 1.0 g/kg EO-PGS groups at d56 (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in plasma biochemical parameters among all groups. Compared with the control group, supplementation of EO-PGS increased the immunoglobulin-G and interleukin-2 levels in plasma (P < 0.05). The total antioxidant capacity in plasma and liver, the plasma catalase concentration, the activity of total superoxide dismutase in the liver and the activity of glutathione peroxidase in the spleen were increased in the EO-PGS groups (P < 0.05). The concentration of malondialdehyde in the liver was decreased with the increasing level of EO-PGS (P < 0.05). The crypt depth of ileum and duodenum of birds fed with EO-PGS supplemented diet had a tendency to decrease (0.05<P < 0.1) and the villus height to crypt depth ratio of ileum increased (P < 0.05), compared with birds fed with control diet. In summary, EO-PGS supplementation improved the egg production, enhanced antioxidation and immune functions, and ameliorated egg quality and intestinal morphology of laying hens, and a level of 0.75 g/kg EO-PGS was recommended in laying hens diets.

Effect of organic acids-essential oils blend and oat fiber combination on broiler chicken growth performance, blood parameters, and intestinal health

This study evaluated the effect of organic acids-essential oils blend with or without oat hulls (OH) on growth performance, organ weights, blood parameters, gut morphology, microbiota, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in broiler chickens. Day-old broiler chickens were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments consisting of 1) a corn-soybean meal-wheat based diet (BAS), 2) BAS + 0.05% bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD), 3) BAS + protected organic acids-essential oils at 300 g/1,000 kg of feed (OE), and 4) BAS + protected organic acids-essential oils at 300 g/1,000 kg of feed + 3% OH (OEOH), in 8 replicate groups. Feeding was in starter (d 0 to 14), grower (d 14 to 24), and finisher (d 24 to 36) phases. Body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and mortality were determined weekly. On d 36, 8 chickens per treatment were sampled for blood biochemistry, organ weights, cecal SCFA production, and microbiota. Treatments had no effect on FI and FCR at all phases. Both OE and OEOH treatments reduced (P < 0.001) the body weight gain of birds at the starter phase. Birds fed the OEOH treatment had higher (P < 0.001) gizzard weight, while those offered the BMD diet showed a tendency (P = 0.08) to have higher cecal weight. Birds in the OEOH treatment recorded increased ileal villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, as well as reduced duodenal crypt depth, while birds in the OE treatment had increased jejunal villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio. Both OEOH and OE treatments increased the number of goblet cells produced in the duodenum and jejunum. Treatments had no effect on SCFA concentrations. Birds in the OE treatment recorded the lowest concentration of blood urea (P = 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.05). Both OE and OEOH treatments increased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria in the genus Firmicutes_unclassified, Ruminococcus, Turicibacter, and Erysipelotrichaceae_unclassified, while reducing (P < 0.001) the relative abundance of potentially harmful Coprobacillus. Conclusively, both protected organic acids-essential oils blend and its combination with oat fibers show potential as tools to achieve antibiotics reduction in broiler production.

Dietary encapsulated essential oil mixture influence on apparent nutrient digestibility, serum metabolic profile, lymphocyte histochemistry and intestinal morphology of laying hens

Objective

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mixture of encapsulated essential oils (EOs) addition on nutrient digestion, serum biochemical parameters, peripheral blood alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE), and acid phosphatase (ACP-ase) positive lymphocyte ratios and intestinal morphology in laying hens.

Methods

A total of 320 laying hens of 48-wk-old were randomly allotted into 4 treatment groups with 10 replicates of 8 birds in each replicate. The birds were fed a basal diet (control) or the diet added with mixture of EOs (which consist of eugenol, nerolidol, piperine, thymol, linalool, and geraniol) at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for period of 84 days.

Results

The addition of EOs at 100 or 200 mg/kg increased the dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein digestion as compared to control. The addition of all doses of EOs did not affect serum gamma glutamyl transferase, alanine aminotransferase, and P but increased serum asparate aminotransferase (AST) concentration. The addition of 200 mg/kg EOs increased serum creatinine, while 100 mg/kg decreased Ca concentration. The addition of 100 and 200 mg/kg EOs generally improved ANAE and ACP-ase positive peripheral blood lymphocyte ratios and intestinal morphology.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that, the addition of 100 or 200 mg/kg encapsulated EOs generally increased apparent nutrient digestion and serum AST concentration, improved ANAE and ACP-ase positive peripheral blood lymphocytes and intestinal morphology in laying hens.

Blend of Essential Oils Supplemented Alone or Combined with Exogenous Amylase Compared with Virginiamycin Supplementation on Finishing Lambs: Performance, Dietary Energetics, Carcass Traits, and Nutrient Digestion

Simple Summary

Antibiotics have been extensively used as growth promoters in livestock, but current interests are focused on limiting the use of conventional antibiotics as feed additives in livestock production. Essential oil compounds belong to a “generally-recognized-as-safe” category of feed additives that may serve as alternatives to conventional antibiotics used as growth promoters. In this study, dietary supplementation of finishing lambs with essential oils alone, or combined with exogenous enzymes, improved dietary energy utilization and meat production in a manner comparable to that of the antibiotic virginiamycin.

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to compare a supplemental blend of essential oils alone (EO) or combined with enzymes (EO + ENZ) versus virginiamycin (VM), on characteristics of growth performance (Exp. 1) and digestion (Exp. 2) in finishing lambs. Lambs were fed a high-energy finishing diet supplemented with: (1) no supplement (control); (2) 150 mg supplemental EO; (3) 150 mg supplemental EO plus 560 mg alpha-amylase (EO + ENZ); and 4) 25 mg VM. Compared with the control, growth performance response to EO and VM were similar, enhancing (5.7%, p < 0.05) feed efficiency and observed dietary net energy. Compared with control, supplementation with EO + ENZ tended (p = 0.09) to increase dry matter intake (6.8%), improving (p < 0.05) weight gain and feed efficiency (10.4 and 4.4%, respectively). Dietary energy utilization was greater (2.7%, p < 0.05) for EO and VM than EO + ENZ. Treatment effects on the carcass and visceral mass were small, but additive supplementation decreased (p ≤ 0.03) the relative weight of the intestines. There were no treatment effects on measures of digestion nor digestible energy of the diet. Supplemental EO may be an effective alternative to VM in high-energy finishing diets for feedlot lambs. Combination EO + ENZ may further enhance dry matter intake, promoting increased weight gain.

Supplementing Garlic Nanohydrogel Optimized Growth, Gastrointestinal Integrity and Economics and Ameliorated Necrotic Enteritis in Broiler Chickens Using a Clostridium perfringens Challenge Model

Necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) results in impaired bird growth performance and increased production costs. Nanotechnology application in the poultry industry to control NE outbreaks is still not completely clarified. Therefore, the efficacy of dietary garlic nano-hydrogel (G-NHG) on broilers growth performance, intestinal integrity, economic returns and its potency to alleviate C. perfringens levels using NE challenge model were addressed. A total of 1200 male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were assigned into six groups; four supplemented with 100, 200, 300 or 400 mg of G-NHG/kg diet and co-challenged with C. perfringens at 21, 22 and 23 d of age and two control groups fed basal diet with or without C. perfringens challenge. Over the total growing period, the 400 mg/kg G-NHG group had the most improved body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency regardless of challenge. Parallel with these results, the mRNA expression of genes encoding digestive enzymes (alpha 2A amylase (AMY2A), pancreatic lipase (PNLIP) and cholecystokinin (CCK)) and intestinal barriers (junctional adhesion molecule-2 (JAM-2), occludin and mucin-2 (Muc-2)) were increased in groups fed G-NHG at higher levels to be nearly similar to those in the unchallenged group. At 14 d post challenge, real-time PCR results revealed that inclusion of G-NHG led to a dose-dependently decrease in the C. perfringens population, thereby decreasing the birds' intestinal lesion score and mortality rates. Using 400 mg/kg of G-NHG remarkably ameliorated the adverse effects of NE caused by C. perfringens challenge, which contributed to better growth performance of challenged birds with rational economic benefits.

Dietary oregano essential oil supplementation improves intestinal functions and alters gut microbiota in late-phase laying hens

BACKGROUND

Dietary essential oil (EO) supplementation can exert favorable effects on gut health in broilers. However, it is unknown whether EO could improve intestinal functions, consequently beneficial for egg performance and quality in late-phase laying hens. This study was aimed to investigate the potential effects of EO on production performance, egg quality, intestinal health and ileal microbiota of hens in the late phase of production. A total of 288 60-week-old Hy-line Brown laying hens were randomly divided into 4 groups and fed a basal diet (control) or basal diets supplemented with oregano EO at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg (EO100, EO200 and EO400).

RESULTS

Dietary EO supplementation resulted in a quadratic decrease (P < 0.05) in feed conversion ratio with lower (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio in EO200 group than the control during weeks 9-12 and 1-12 of the trial. Compared to the control, EO addition resulted in higher (P < 0.05) eggshell thickness at the end of week. 4, 8 and 12 and higher (P < 0.05) chymotrypsin activity. There was a quadratic elevation (P < 0.05) in ileal chymotrypsin and lipase activity, along with a linear increase in villus height to crypt depth ratio. Quadratic declines (P < 0.05) in mRNA expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ and TLR-4, concurrent with a linear and quadratic increase (P < 0.05) in ZO-1 expression were identified in the ileum with EO addition. These favorable effects were maximized at medium dosage (200 mg/kg) of EO addition and intestinal microbial composition in the control and EO200 groups were assessed. Dietary EO addition increased (P < 0.05) the abundances of Burkholderiales, Actinobacteria, Bifidobacteriales, Enterococcaceae and Bacillaceae, whereas decreased Shigella abundance in the ileum.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary EO addition could enhance digestive enzyme activity, improve gut morphology, epithelial barrier functions and modulate mucosal immune status by altering microbial composition, thus favoring feed efficiency and eggshell quality of late-phase laying hens.

Phenolic compounds as natural feed additives in poultry and swine diets: a review

Due to ban on using antibiotics in feed industry, awareness of using natural feed additives have led to a great demand. The interest of plants phenolic compounds as a potential natural antioxidant source has been considered in research community due to their predictable potential role as feed additives in poultry and swine production. However, the mode of action for their functional role and dosage recommendation in animal diets are still remain indistinct. Taking into account, the present review study highlights an outline about the mode of action of phenolic compound and their experimental uses in poultry and swine focusing on the growth performance, antioxidant function, immune function, antimicrobial role and overall health status, justified with the past findings till to date. Finally, the present review study concluded that supplementation of phenolic compounds as natural feed additives may have a role on the antioxidant, immunity, antimicrobial and overall production performance in poultry and swine.

Effects of oregano (Lippia origanoides) essential oil supplementation on the performance, egg quality, and intestinal morphometry of Isa Brown laying hens

Background and Aim:

The use of antibiotics as growth promoters in the feed of poultry, has contributed to an increase in the antimicrobial resistance of foodborne pathogens worldwide. Hence, the development of new effective alternatives to antibiotics that do not hinder productivity is imperative. For this, the aim of the present study was to determine whether oregano essential oil (OEO) extracted from Lippia origanoides is a suitable alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics (GPAs) for improving the performance, egg quality, and intestinal morphometry of ISA Brown laying hens.

Materials and Methods:

A total of ninety-six 70-week-old ISA Brown laying hens were randomly assigned to four treatment groups with four replicates per treatment and six hens per replicate. The treatments consisted of four different diets that were formulated according to the nutritional requirements of the genetic line and the production phase with and without the addition of GPA and OEO: NC, which did not contain OEO or GPA; GPA, which included 50 ppm zinc bacitracin as a GPA; 80OEO, which included 80 ppm OEO and no GPA; and 150OEO, which included 150 ppm OEO and no GPA.

Results:

All of the OEO and GPA treatment groups had a better feed conversion ratio than the NC group. However, the addition of 150 ppm OEO to the diet improved the percentage egg production and egg mass, as well as the external and internal quality of the egg compared with the other treatments. In addition, both the 80OEO and 150OEO treatments improved the yolk color, shell thickness, and shell color, as well as parameters related to the intestinal morphometry compared with the NC group.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study indicate that 150 ppm OEO can be used as a substitute for GPA to improve the performance, egg quality, and parameters related to the intestinal morphometry of ISA Brown laying hens.

Supplemental Xylooligosaccharide Modulates Intestinal Mucosal Barrier and Cecal Microbiota in Laying Hens Fed Oxidized Fish Oil

Our previous study indicated that dietary xylooligosaccharide (XOS) supplementation improved feed efficiency, ileal morphology, and nutrient digestibility in laying hens. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mitigative effects of XOS on intestinal mucosal barrier impairment and microbiota dysbiosis induced by oxidized fish oil (OFO) in laying hens. A total of 384 Hy-Line Brown layers at 50 weeks of age were randomly divided into four dietary treatments, including the diets supplemented with 20 g/kg of fresh fish oil (FFO group) or 20 g/kg of oxidized fish oil (OFO group), and the OFO diets with XOS addition at 200 mg/kg (OFO/XOS200 group) or 400 mg/kg (OFO/XOS400 group). Each treatment had eight replicates with 12 birds each. The OFO treatment decreased (P < 0.05) the production performance of birds from 7 to 12 weeks of the experiment, reduced (P < 0.05) ileal mucosal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) content, and increased (P < 0.05) serum endotoxin concentration, as well as downregulated (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of claudin-1 (CLDN1) and claudin-5 (CLDN5) in the ileal mucosa at the end of the experiment. Dietary XOS addition (400 mg/kg) recovered (P < 0.05) these changes and further improved (P < 0.05) ileal villus height (VH) and the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (VCR). In addition, OFO treatment altered cecal microbial composition of layers, and these alterations were probably involved in OFO-induced ileal mucosal impairment as causes or consequences. Supplemental XOS remodeled cecal microbiota of layers fed the OFO diet, characterized by an elevation in microbial richness and changes in microbial composition, including increases in Firmicutes, Ruminococcaceae, Verrucomicrobia (Akkermansia), Paraprevotella, Prevotella_9, and Oscillospira, along with a decrease in Erysipelatoclostridium. The increased abundance of Verrucomicrobia (Akkermansia) had positive correlations with the improved ileal VH and ileal mucosal expression of CLDN1. The abundance of Erysipelatoclostridium decreased by XOS addition was negatively associated with ileal VH, VCR, ileal mucosal sIgA content, and the relative expression of zonula occludens-2, CLDN1, and CLDN5. Collectively, supplemental XOS alleviated OFO-induced intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction and performance impairment in laying hens, which could be at least partially attributed to the modulation of gut microbiota.

Influence of Plant Bioactive Compounds on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier in Poultry

Natural plant bioactive compounds (PBC) have recently been explored as feed additives to improve productivity, health and welfare of poultry following ban or restriction of in-feed antibiotic use. Depending upon the types of PBC, they possess antimicrobial, digestive enzyme secretion stimulation, antioxidant and many pharmacological properties, which are responsible for beneficial effects in poultry production. Moreover, they may also improve the intestinal barrier function and nutrient transport. In this review, the effects of different PBC on the barrier function, permeability of intestinal epithelia and their mechanism of actions are discussed, focusing on poultry feeding. Dietary PBC may regulate intestinal barrier function through several molecular mechanisms by interacting with different metabolic cascades and cellular transcription signals, which may then modulate expressions of genes and their proteins in the tight junction (e.g., claudins, occludin and junctional adhesion molecules), adherens junction (e.g., E-cadherin), other intercellular junctional proteins (e.g., zonula occludens and catenins), and regulatory proteins (e.g., kinases). Interactive effects of PBC on immunomodulation via expressions of several cytokines, chemokines, complement components, pattern recognition receptors and their transcription factors and cellular immune system, and alteration of mucin gene expressions and goblet cell abundances in the intestine may change barrier functions. The effects of PBC are not consistent among the studies depending upon the type and dose of PBC, physiological conditions and parts of the intestine in chickens. An effective concentration in diets and specific molecular mechanisms of PBC need to be elucidated to understand intestinal barrier functionality in a better way in poultry feeding.

Citrullus lanatus essential oils inclusion in diets elicit nutraceutical effects on egg production, egg quality, and physiological characteristics in layer hens

The study evaluated the effects of Citrullus lanatus essential oils inclusion in diet on egg production, egg quality, and physiological parameters in layer hens. A total of 72 White Leghorn point-of-lay hens at 18 wk were used for the study. The hens were randomly allocated to following 3 dietary treatments: 1) commercial layer diet (control), 2) commercial diet + 1 g C. lanatus essential oil/kg feed (1gCL), and 3) commercial diet + 2 g C. lanatus essential oil/kg feed (2gCL). Each treatment was replicated 8 times arranged in completely randomized design. From the results, an increase in total weight gain, average daily feed intake, and average daily gain was observed with inclusion of the C. lanatus essential oil. In addition, the inclusion of C. lanatus in diet improved the egg mass and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Hens fed C. lanatus-containing diets had higher egg mass (1gCL, 53.35 g ± 0.71; 2gCL, 53.99 ± 0.71 g) compared with the control (52.90 ± 0.71). The C. lanatus containing diets also had lower FCR than the control (1gCL [2.18 ± 0.22] and 2gCL [2.16 ± 0.22] vs. control [2.20 ± 0.71]). With regards to egg quality parameters, inclusion of C. lanatus oil appeared to reduce shell weight and shell ratio, while increasing albumen height and Haugh unit. Diets containing C. lanatus had significantly higher amounts of stearic acid, and linoleic acid was highest (P < 0.05) in the 2gCL fed hens. Birds fed the 2gCL diet (15.29 ± 0.60) had the highest total polyunsaturated fatty acids, total n-6 fatty acids (14.81 ± 0.59) and also had the highest n-6/n-3 ratio. An increase hematological values was observed with inclusion of C. lanatus essential oils in diets. Moreover, tibia bone parameters were also significantly improved with inclusion of C. lanatus essential oils in diets. It can be concluded that C. lanatus essential oil positively affected egg production, and quality and health of layer hens can be used successfully as a natural feed additive.

Targeted-Release Organic Acids and Essential Oils Improve Performance and Digestive Function in Broilers Under a Necrotic Enteritis Challenge

An experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of four different microencapsulated blends of organic acids (OA) and nature-identical aromatic compounds (AC) on growth performance and gut health of broilers challenged with a recycled NE litter. A total of 600 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to five treatments consisting of a basal diet (as negative control) supplemented with each of the tested microencapsulated blends: OA1 (malic and fumaric acid) + AC; 2.5 g/kg; OA2 (calcium butyrate+fumaric acid) + AC; 1.7 g/kg; MCFA (capric-caprylic; caproic and lauric acid) + AC; 2 g/kg; and MCFA + OA3(calcium butyrate + fumaric and citric acid) + AC; 1.5 g/kg. The AC used was the same for all treatments; including cinnamaldehyde, carvacrol, and thymol (8:1:1), as major compounds. Three tested blends enhanced growth performance by improving intestinal histomorphology (p < 0.001). The tested blends enhanced the abundance of some beneficial families such as Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae; while reducing that of harmful ones such as Enterobacteriaceae and Helicobacteraceae. A further dose-response experiment showed that 0.5 g/kg of the blend 2 and 2 g/kg of the blend 4 improved growth performance and intestinal histomorphology of chickens on d 42 and decreased fecal Enterobacteriaceae and C. perfringens counts. Similar effects to the previous experiment were observed for cecum microbiota.

Effects on Intestinal Mucosal Morphology, Productive Parameters and Microbiota Composition after Supplementation with Fermented Defatted Alperujo (FDA) in Laying Hens

The olive oil sector is currently adapting its traditional function to also become a supplier of high-value by-products that possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the fermented defatted alperujo (FDA) on the intestinal health of laying hens. The morphology of the duodenal and cecal mucosa, the composition of the intestinal microbiota and the productivity of a batch of laying hens were evaluated after FDA supplementation. At early life stages, significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed in duodenal villi height and in crypt depth of both the duodenum and the cecum in the FDA-supplemented group, indicating improved intestinal health in this group. Microbiota composition in the hatchery group supplemented with FDA had a higher abundance of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, and higher bacterial diversity. During the production period, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the number of broken eggs from the supplemented group. We conclude that FDA supplementation improves the absorption capacity of the intestinal mucosa and modifies the intestinal microbiota to favor a greater immune response, leading to an increase in egg production.