Effects of Dietary Tributyrin on Growth Performance, Biochemical Indices, and Intestinal Microbiota of Yellow-Feathered Broilers

Dietary Supplementation of Brevibacillus laterosporus S62-9 Improves Broiler Growth and Immunity by Regulating Cecal Microbiota and Metabolites

Brevibacillus laterosporus has been added as a direct-fed microbiota to chicken. Yet, few studies have reported the effects of B. laterosporus on broiler growth and gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of B. laterosporus S62-9 on growth performance, immunity, cecal microbiota, and metabolites in broilers. A total of 160 1-day-old broilers were randomly divided into S62-9 and control groups, with or without 106 CFU/g B. laterosporus S62-9 supplementation, respectively. During the 42 days feeding, body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly. Serum was collected for immunoglobulin determination, and cecal contents were taken for 16S rDNA analysis and metabolome at Day 42. Results indicated that the broilers in S62-9 group showed an increase in body weight of 7.2% and 5.19% improvement in feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. The B. laterosporus S62-9 supplementation promoted the maturation of immune organs and increased the concentration of serum immunoglobulins. Furthermore, the α-diversity of cecal microbiota was improved in the S62-9 group. B. laterosporus S62-9 supplementation increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria including Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus, while decreased the relative abundance of pathogens including Klebsiella and Pseudomonas. Untargeted metabolomics revealed that 53 differential metabolites between the two groups. The differential metabolites were enriched in 4 amino acid metabolic pathways, including arginine biosynthesis and glutathione metabolism. In summary, B. laterosporus S62-9 supplementation could improve the growth performance and immunity through the regulation of gut microbiota and metabolome in broilers.

Expression of chicken epidermal growth factor (cEGF) in Escherichia coli regulates the microflora structure of the duodenum to improve growth performance and intestinal morphogenesis in broilers

1. A study used gene synthesis to obtain the functional domains of chicken epidermal growth factor (cEGF) and examined their impact on broiler growth performance, small intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities in the intestinal contents and the structure of duodenal microflora.2. The pET-32a-cEGF recombinant expression vector was constructed. The specific band at 26 KDa was shown by SDS-PAGE analysis and WB results. The purified protein content was shown to be 1687 μg/ml by assay.3. A total of 180 healthy, one-day-old Arbor Acres male, white-feathered broilers were randomly divided into three dietary treatment groups (six replicate pens, 10 birds per replicate): A control diet (ND); cEGF diet (cEGF), control supplemented with 250 mg/kg cEGF and the control diet (CD) supplemented with 250 mg/kg chlortetracycline.4. The results showed that feeding the cEGF and CD diet reduced FCR of broilers aged 1-21 d, average daily feed intake (ADFI) at 22-42 d, and the FCR in the whole period (1-42 d; p < 0.05). Compared with the ND group, the cEGF diet increased duodenal α-amylase and alkaline phosphatase activities in the 1-21 d, duodenal lipase, alkaline phosphatase, and ileal alkaline phosphatase activities in the post-period and increased villus height in the duodenum and ileum (p < 0.05). In addition, the ACE and Chao1 index for the birds fed cEGF were higher than the ND group (p < 0.05). At the phyla level, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were dominant in all groups. At the genus level, the dominant genus was Lactobacillus. The LEfSe analysis showed that the cEGF group was enriched by 11 species including Brevibacillus, Eisenbergiella, Cloacibacterium, Butyricoccus spp.5. The addition of 250 mg/kg cEGF to the diet can increase growth performance by improving intestinal development and digestive enzyme activity, which may be related to the duodenal intestinal microflora. Therefore, cEGF is an effective alternative to antibiotics in broiler farming.

Different fat-to-fiber ratios by changing wheat inclusion level impact energy metabolism and microbial structure of broilers

Introduction

Dietary nutrient content is crucial for energy metabolism and development of gut microbiota. Herein, this study aimed to explore the effects of fat-to-fiber ratios on nutrient transporter, energy metabolism and gut microbiota when ingredients composition was altered.

Methods

A total of 240 as-hatched broiler chickens were randomly assigned into three groups including low fat-high dietary fiber (LF-HD), medium fat-medium dietary fiber (MF-MD) and high fat-low dietary fiber (HF-LD), with diets being iso-protein, and broilers were offered the same commercial diets from 21 to 42 d. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA of SPSS.

Results and Discussion

Results showed that HF-LD diet significantly increased glucose content and decreased triglyceride in serum of broilers (p < 0.05). The mRNA abundance of jejunal gene involved in glucose transporter and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle was significantly increased in broilers fed with HF-LD diets. Compared with LF-HD, HF-LD had a lower abundance of Anaerofilum and CHKCI001, and an increased proportion of beneficial bacteria such as Alistipes, Catenibacillus, Intestinimonas, Lactobacillus, and Peptococcus (p < 0.05). Functional prediction of these microbial changes indicated that HF-LD diet drove caecal microbiota to participate in carbohydrate metabolism and TCA cycle (p < 0.05). Dietary HF-LD-induced microbiota changes were positively correlated with growth performance of broilers (p < 0.05). Therefore, HF-LD diet increased glucose transporters and energy metabolism in intestine and shaped microbial structure and metabolic pathways, which may benefit the growth performance of broilers.

Effects of Dietary Bacillus coagulans and Tributyrin on Growth Performance, Serum Antioxidants, Intestinal Morphology, and Cecal Microbiota of Growing Yellow-Feathered Broilers

This study investigated the impact of Bacillus coagulans (BC) and tributyrin (TB) supplementation on the growth performance, serum antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiota of yellow-feathered broilers. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, 480 broilers were randomly assigned to four experimental diets, comprising two levels of BC (0 and 1 g/kg) and two levels of TB (0 and 1 g/kg), over a 36-day period. A significant interaction was observed between BC and TB, impacting the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of broilers aged between 26 and 40 days (p < 0.01). BC and TB also displayed a significant interaction in relation to serum malondialdehyde levels and total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant interaction between BC and TB concerning the duodenal villus-to-crypt ratio, crypt depth, and jejunal villus-to-crypt ratio (p < 0.05). The addition of BC and TB significantly enhanced the richness and diversity of cecal microbiota, with a notable interactive effect observed for the abundance of Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcus_torques_group, and Phascolarctobacterium. In conclusion, supplementation with BC and TB can effectively improve the growth performance, serum antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiota composition of yellow-feathered broilers, indicating the presence of an interactive effect.

Evaluation of tributyrin supplementation in milk replacer on diarrhoea occurrence in pre-weaning Holstein calves

Neonatal calf diarrhoea is one of the most important health challenges in cattle herds causing substantial economic losses and antimicrobial use. Due to the raising problem of antimicrobial resistance, effective alternatives are urgently required, in line with European policies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tributyrin supplementation in milk replacer on diarrhoea, performance and metabolic status in preweaning Holstein calves. Twelve newborn calves, after colostrum administration, were randomly allotted in two experimental groups for 42 days: control (CTRL) fed milk replacer, tributyrin (TRIB) fed milk replacer supplemented with 0.3% of liquid tributyrin on milk powder weight. Calves BW was recorded on a weekly basis from day 7 to day 42, and feed intake was recorded daily to calculate zootechnical performance. Faecal consistency was assessed daily through the faecal score (0-3 scale; considering diarrhoea moderate = 2 and severe = 3). Faecal samples were collected weekly from rectal ampulla for microbiological analysis by plate counting method evaluating the number of total bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and coliform bacteria. On day 0 and day 42, individual blood samples were collected from jugular vein for metabolic profile analysis. Serum samples of day 42 were also evaluated for the antioxidant barrier using a colorimetric test, while glucagon-like peptide 2 and diamine oxidase concentrations were measured through immunoenzymatic assays. Tributyrin supplementation did not influence the zootechnical performance of calves over 42 days of trial. Diarrhoea frequency was significantly lower in TRIB compared to CTRL group (27.91 and 38.37%; P < 0.01) considering the whole experimental period. In particular, the major effect was observed for moderate diarrhoea in TRIB group that showed a significantly reduced frequency compared to CTRL (P < 0.01) thus suggesting a preventive effect of tributyrin. Faecal total bacterial, lactic acid and coliform bacteria counts did not show differences between groups. Urea serum concentrations tended to be lower in TRIB compared to CTRL, indicating an efficient utilisation of dietary protein. Antioxidant barrier and glucagon-like peptide 2 were comparable between CTRL and TRIB on day 42. Diamine oxidase concentrations were significantly decreased in TRIB compared to CTRL group after 42 days of trial (P < 0.01), suggesting a higher gut epithelial integrity probably due to lower diarrhoea frequency and the nourish effect of tributyrin on enterocytes. In conclusion, tributyrin could be considered as a valuable bioactive feed additive to decrease the neonatal diarrhoea occurrence and support intestinal integrity in preweaning calves.

Maternal tributyrin supplementation in late pregnancy and lactation improves offspring immunity, gut microbiota, and diarrhea rate in a sow model

Introduction

Several studies have evaluated the effects of tributyrin on sow reproductive performance; however, none of these studies have investigated the effects of tributyrin on sow gut microbiota and its potential interactions with immune systems and milk composition. Therefore, we speculated that tributyrin, the combination of butyrate and mono-butyrin without odor, would reach the hindgut and affect the intestinal microbiota composition and play a better role in regulating sow reproductive performance, gut flora, and health.

Methods

Thirty sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (CON) and the tributyrin group (TB), which received basal diet supplemented with 0.05% tributyrin. The experimental period lasted for 35 days from late pregnancy to lactation.

Results

The results showed that TB supplementation significantly shortened the total parturition time and reduced the diarrhea rate in suckling piglets. On day 20 of lactation, the milk fat and protein levels increased by 9 and 4%, respectively. TB supplementation significantly improved the digestibility of dry material, gross energy, and crude fat in the sow diet, but had no significant effect on crude protein digestibility. Furthermore, TB supplementation increased the levels of IL-10, IL-6, and IgA in the blood of weaned piglets, but had no effect on maternal immunity. Analysis of the fecal microbial composition revealed that the addition of TB during late gestation and lactation increased the microbiota diversity in sows and piglets. At the phylum level, sows in the TB group had a slight increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidota and Spirochaetota and a decrease in Firmicutes. At the order level, the relative abundance of Lactobacillales was increased in piglets and sows, and the TB group showed increased relative abundance of Enterobacterales and significantly decreased relative abundance of Oscillospirales in piglets. At family level, the relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae, Oscillospiraceae, and Christensenellaceae increased in sows, and the relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae and Lactobacillaceae increased in piglets. At genus level, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus increased in sows and piglets, but the relative abundance of Subdoligranulum and Eubacterium_fissicatena_group decreased in piglets in the TB group.

Discussion

In conclusion, tributyrin supplementation shortened the farrowing duration and reduced the diarrhea rate of piglets by improving the inflammatory response and composition of gut microbiota in piglets and sows.

Effects of a Specific Pre- and Probiotic Combination and Parent Stock Vaccination on Performance and Bacterial Communities in Broilers Challenged with a Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli

Antibiotic resistance poses a risk for human and animal health, leading to a growing demand for effective alternatives. Combining nutritional tools and parent stock vaccination could be an approach to achieve sufficient protection against bacterial infections in poultry. In an Escherichia coli O1/O18 challenge trial, we investigated the protective effects of feeding diets containing Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) combined with specific parent stock vaccination in 225 ROSS 308 broilers. Data on performance parameters, intestinal microbial composition and metabolites, and antibiotic resistance genes (sul1-3, dhfr1a, SHV-12) were obtained. E. faecium and FOS combined with parent stock vaccination led to the highest body weights, which were significantly higher than those of controls throughout the experiment and decreased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria in the crop digesta compared to that in the positive control. However, cumulative feed conversation remained unaffected by the strategies. Birds receiving the pre-/probiotic combination showed lower cecal pH levels and higher crop L-lactate concentrations than the controls, whereas copy numbers of dhfr1a (trimethoprim resistance) and SHV-12 (extended-spectrum beta-lactamase) genes were only decreased in broilers from vaccinated hens compared to those in the challenged control. In conclusion, prophylactic administration of E. faecium and FOS in combination with parent stock vaccination can have complementary effects by improving broiler weight gain and stimulating intestinal bacterial metabolism, which may be beneficial for maintaining gut health in terms of Escherichia coli infection.

Effect of Tributyrin on Growth Performance and Pathway by which Tributyrin Regulates Oligopeptide Transporter 1 in Juvenile Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Simple Summary

Oligopeptide transporter 1 (PepT1) plays a role in the transportation and absorption of oligopeptides, which is an important part of protein nutrition and affects the growth of animals. Tributyrin (TB), the precursor of butyrate, exhibits similar functions to those of the butyrate in intestinal nutrients absorption. The analysis of TB on the growth of grass carp and its regulation pathway on PepT1 may help us to better understand the functions of TB and oligopeptide transportation via PepT1, which can be modulated by diet. In this study, we demonstrated that an appropriate level of tributyrin supplementation in the diet promoted the growth of juvenile grass carp and elevated the expressions of caudal type homeobox 2 (CDX2), specificity protein 1 (SP1), and PepT1 in the grass carp intestine and primary intestine cell. In addition, CDX2 and SP1 regulating the expression of PepT1 was investigated. Finally, CDX2/SP1-mediating tributyrin regulation on PepT1 was elucidated. This study verified the effect of tributyrin on the growth of juvenile grass carp and clarified the tributyrin regulation pathway on CDX2/SP1-PepT1.

Abstract

The nutritional functions of tributyrin (TB) have been extensively studied, but questions remain regarding its influence on the growth of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) and the regulation pathway to PepT1 in the intestine of grass carp. To answer the remaining questions, feeding trials, cell trials, and peritoneal injection trials were conducted in this study. The results showed that an appropriate level of TB (0.5 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg) supplementation in feed significantly promoted the growth performance of juvenile grass carp. The expressions of intestine genes (CDX2, SP1 and PepT1) related to oligopeptide transportation increased in the 0.5 g/kg TB group of feeding trials and both the 5 mM and 10 mM TB groups of the intestine cell trials, respectively. Subsequently, the injection trials of inhibitors CDX2 and SP1 demonstrated that the inhibition of CDX2 or SP1 decreased the mRNA expression of PepT1. Finally, the results of independent or combined treatments of TB and the inhibitors suggested that CDX2/SP1 mediated TB regulation on PepT1. These findings may help us to better understand the functions of TB on growth and PepT1 oligopeptide transportation, which could be modulated by dietary TB through the CDX2/SP1-PepT1 pathway in juvenile grass carp.

Effects of fulvic acid addition on laying performance, biochemical indices, and gut microbiota of aged hens

The purpose of this study was to appraise the effect of fulvic acid on production, biochemical indices, and gut microbiota of laying hens. A total of 252 Dawu Golden Phoenix laying hens (55-week-old) were allotted to two treatments randomly, each with six replicates and 21 hens per replicate, including the control group (CG) and fulvic acid (500 mg/kg) group (FA). The trial period was 8 weeks. Adding FA raised egg weight (P = 0.03), shell-breaking strength (P = 0.03), and reduced egg breaking rate (P < 0.01), compared with CG. There was no difference in eggshell thickness and egg shape index between the two treatments; however, the FA group increased egg production by 1.45% and reduced the feed-to-egg ratio by 0.09. Moreover, dietary FA decreased the aspartate aminotransferase levels in serum (P = 0.04), and glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity were increased (P = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Despite this, the two groups had no differences in the alpha diversity indices (PD_whole trees, Shannon, Ace, Simpson, Chao1, and goods_coverage). Obviously, at the phylum level, the abundances of Firmicutes were improved (P < 0.01), Actinobacteriota (P < 0.01), and Proteobacteria (P < 0.01) were reduced by dietary FA. Supplementation with FA could improve the abundances of Megamonas (P < 0.01) and reduce Enterobacter (P < 0.01) at the genus level. To sum up, this study showed the addition of 500 mg/kg FA may boost production and egg quality and modulate the cecal microflora abundance and serum biochemical indices of laying hens.

Effects of Dietary Macleaya cordata Extract on Growth Performance, Biochemical Indices, and Intestinal Microbiota of Yellow-Feathered Broilers Subjected to Chronic Heat Stress

This study investigated the effect of dietary Macleaya cordata extract (MCE) supplementation on the growth performance, serum parameters, and intestinal microbiota of yellow-feather broilers under heat stress. A total of 216 yellow-feather broilers (28-days-old) were randomly allotted into three groups. A control group (CON) (24 ± 2 °C) and heat stress group (HS) (35 ± 2 °C) received a basal diet, and heat-stressed plus MCE groups (HS-MCE) (35 ± 2 °C) were fed the basal diet with 1000 mg/kg MCE for 14 consecutive days. The results revealed that MCE supplementation improved the final body weight, average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and spleen index when compared with the HS group (p < 0.05). In addition, MCE supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine, and increased (p < 0.05) the glucose level and alkaline phosphatase activity in heat-stressed yellow-feathered broilers. Moreover, MCE treatment alleviated heat-stress-induced intestinal flora disturbances, decreased the Bacteroidota and Bacteroides relative abundances, and increased Firmicutes. A linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis found five differentially abundant taxa in the HS-MCE group, including Alistipes, Rikenellaceae, Mogibacterium, Butyrivibrio, and Lachnospira. These results suggest that MCE can alleviate HS-induced decline in growth performance by modulating blood biochemical markers and cecal flora composition in broilers.

Effects of Dietary Glycerol Monobutyrate Supplementation on Egg Performance, Biochemical Indices, and Gut Microbiota of Aged Hens

This experiment aimed to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with glycerol monobutyrate (GMB) on egg-laying performance, biochemical indicators, and gut microflora at the late stage of laying hens. A total of 252 healthy Dawu Golden Phoenix laying hens with no difference in body weight were selected and randomly divided into two groups: (1) control group (CG), corn-soybean meal diet, (2) 500 mg glycerol monobutyrate/kg added to the basal diet. Six replicates were set up for each treatment group, with 21 birds per replicate. The trial started at week 55 and lasted for 8 weeks. Compared to the control group, the supplementation with GMB increased egg weight (P = 0.03), shell thickness (P = 0.03) and decreased egg breaking rate (P = 0.04). There was no significant difference in egg production rate, feed-to-egg ratio, egg shape index, eggshell strength, and Haugh unit between the two groups. In addition, dietary GMB decreased the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (P = 0.03) and total bilirubin (P = 0.02) in serum, and increased total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.03) and total superoxide dismutase (P = 0.02). However, alpha diversity indices (Ace, Chao1, Shannon, Simpson, goods_coverage, and PD_whole tree) were not different between the two groups. Notably, dietary GMB significantly decreased the abundances of Proteobacteria at the phylum level and the abundances of Enterobacter at the genus level (P &lt; 0.01), but there was no significant difference in the composition of other cecal microbiota. In summary, the present study revealed that supplementation with 500 mg/kg glycerol monobutyrate improved egg weight, eggshell quality, and antioxidant capacity in serum, but its effect on cecal microbiota composition was limited.