Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Probiotic and Synbiotic on Broiler Chickens Hematology and Intestinal Integrity

Effect of different synbiotic administration methods on growth, carcass characteristics, ileum histomorphometry, and blood biochemistry of Cobb-500 broilers

Background and Aim

To combat enteric infections and antibiotic resistance in the poultry industry, researchers seek alternatives such as probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics as growth promoters. Synbiotics support probiotic growth through the supply of essential nutrients. The study's objectives were to assess the most effective delivery methods for synbiotics and evaluate their growth, histomorphometric, and hematological impacts on Cobb-500 broilers.

Materials and Methods

Two studies, independently conducted, employed a completely randomized design. One hundred and eighty viable eggs in the first trial were assigned to three groups: Control (T1), sterile water (T2), and synbiotic in sterile water (T3). On the 21st day of hatching, hatchability, day-old body weights, and ileum samples for histomorphometric analysis were recorded. In the second trial, out of 500 viable eggs, 200 eggs were fed in ovo with synbiotics (PoultryStar® sol, Biomin Singapore Pte Ltd, Singapore) on 17.5 days and 300 were set aside without in ovo injection. The treatments were control (T1), in water synbiotic (T2), in ovo synbiotic (T3), combination of in ovo synbiotic and synbiotic in feed (T4), and synbiotic in feed only (T5). On 21 and 42 days, blood, ileum, and visceral organ samples were collected for laboratory analysis. Data on weight gain, daily feed intake, and water consumption were recorded for 42 days.

Results

The initial experiment's results revealed a decrease in hatchability, slight weight increase, and significant intestinal morphological changes with the use of an in ovo synbiotic. Applying synbiotic through various methods in the second trial yielded better growth results, lower blood cholesterol, and significantly longer (p < 0.05) villi on 21 days.

Conclusion

Using the in ovo method to administer synbiotics lowered hatchability. Use of synbiotics with any method or in combination enhances growth, ileum structure, dressing yield, feed efficiency, and cholesterol levels in blood. Synbiotics enhance gut health and overall performance in broilers when used through diverse approaches.

Feed additives of bacterial origin as an immunoprotective or imunostimulating factor

Since January 2006 when using antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed have been banned scientists are looking for the best resolution to apply alternative substances. Extensive research into the health-promoting properties of probiotics and prebiotics has led to significant interest in the mechanisms of action of the combined administration of these feed additives as a synbiotic. Subsequent research has led to the development of new products. Among the most important health benefits of additives are, inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the GI tract, maintenance of homeostasis, treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, and increase in immunity. Specific immunomodulatory mechanisms of action are not well understood and the effect is not always positive, though there are no reports of adverse effects of these substances found in the literature. For this reason, research is still being conducted on their proper application. However, due to the difficulties of carrying out research on humans, evidence of the beneficial effect of these additives comes mainly from experiments on animals. The objective of the present work was to assess the effect of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, as well as new additives including postbiotics, proteobiotics, nutribiotics, and pharmabiotics, on specific immunomodulatory mechanisms of action, increase in immunity, the reduction of a broad spectrum of diseases.

Effects of synbiotics preparations added to Pengging duck diets on egg production and egg quality and hematological traits

Background and Aim: Duck eggs have high cholesterol levels; inulin addition combined with probiotic is known in several studies to lower cholesterol, while maintaining egg production capacity and blood hematology. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the addition of synbiotic preparations on egg production, egg quality, and hematology of Pengging ducks. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 female Pengging ducks aged 75 weeks (late production phase) and weighing 1467±90.87 g were maintained in litter cages, each measuring 1×1 ducks. The treatment included the addition of synbiotics between the inulin of gembili tuber (Dioscorea esculenta L. and Lactobacillus plantarum Ina CC B76) as follows: T0=control feed ("farmer feed"), T1=control feed+synbiotics 1 mL/100 g, T2=control feed+synbiotics 1.5 mL/g, and T3=control feed+synbiotics 2 mL/100 g in the feed. A completely randomized design was used in this study. The production performance, physical and chemical qualities of eggs, and hematological parameters of Pengging ducks were evaluated. Results: The addition of synbiotics had no significant impact on the production performance, physical and chemical qualities of eggs, and hematological parameters (p>0.05), except for the egg yolk cholesterol content. The cholesterol content decreased significantly (p<0.05) with T2 and T3 treatments, but they had no significant effect (p>0.05). A significant decrease (p<0.01) in cholesterol levels was observed when the synbiotic dose was given at 1.5 ml/100 g feed (T2). However, there was no further decrease in cholesterol level when the synbiotic dose was increased to 2 ml/100g fed (T3). Conclusion: The addition of synbiotics preparations at 1.5 mL/100 g reduced the cholesterol content but did not improve egg production, egg physical quality, and hematology of Pengging ducks.

In ovo Feeding as a Tool for Improving Performance and Gut Health of Poultry: A Review

Early growth and development of the gastrointestinal tract are of critical importance to enhance nutrients' utilization and optimize the growth of poultry. In the current production system, chicks do not have access to feed for about 48-72 h during transportation between hatchery and production farms. This lag time affects early nutrient intake, natural exposure to the microbiome, and the initiation of beneficial stimulation of the immune system of chicks. In ovo feeding can provide early nutrients and additives to embryos, stimulate gut microflora, and mitigate the adverse effects of starvation during pre-and post-hatch periods. Depending on the interests, the compounds are delivered to the embryo either around day 12 or 17 to 18 of incubation and via air sac or amnion. In ovo applications of bioactive compounds like vaccines, nutrients, antibiotics, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, creatine, follistatin, L-carnitine, CpG oligodeoxynucleotide, growth hormone, polyclonal antimyostatin antibody, peptide YY, and insulin-like growth factor-1 have been studied. These compounds affect hatchability, body weight at hatch, physiological functions, immune responses, gut morphology, gut microbiome, production performance, and overall health of birds. However, the route, dose, method, and time of in ovo injection and host factors can cause variation, and thereby inconsistencies in results. Studies using this method have manifested the benefits of injection of different single bioactive compounds. But for excelling in poultry production, researchers should precisely know the proper route and time of injection, optimum dose, and effective combination of different compounds. This review paper will provide an insight into current practices and available findings related to in ovo feeding on performance and health parameters of poultry, along with challenges and future perspectives of this technique.

Assessment of In Ovo Administration of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium longum on Performance, Ileal Histomorphometry, Blood Hematological, and Biochemical Parameters of Broilers

Bifidobacterium is one of the most promising probiotics which was recently used as an alternative growth promoter in poultry. This trial was considered to evaluate the potential effects of in ovo administration of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium longum on growth performance and biochemical parameters of broilers. Three hundred broiler breeder eggs were incubated and candled individually at day 17 of embryogenesis; then, eggs that had live embryos were randomly divided into six groups. The first and second groups were of intact (without injection) and vehicle-injected (sterile distilled water) control groups, respectively. Other groups were in ovo injected with 1 × 10⁹ and 1 × 10⁷ CFU B. bifidum, and 1 × 10⁹ and 1 × 10⁷ CFU B. longum, respectively. Hatchability was significantly (P < 0.001) affected by in ovo inoculation of bifidobacteria strains. Body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved (P = 0.014 and 0.019, respectively) in all treatment groups. Protein fractions, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase activities were not significantly altered by bifidobacteria strains in ovo injection. Regarding ileal histomorphometry parameters, a significant elevation in villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio values were recorded while crypt depth was insignificantly affected by in ovo treatments. It could be concluded that the tested manual method of in-yolk sac injection at day 17 of incubation is more favorable in easier delivering of bifidobacteria strains which improve broiler growth performance and ileal development without any undesirable effects on blood indices and liver and renal functions.

Probiotics: an Antibiotic Replacement Strategy for Healthy Broilers and Productive Rearing

Pathogens develop resistance to antibiotics at a rate much faster than the discovery of new antimicrobial compounds. Reports of multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated from broilers, and the possibility that these strains may spread diseases amongst humans, prompted many European countries to ban the inclusion of antibiotics in feed. Probiotics added to broiler feed controlled a number of bacterial infections. A combination of Enterococcus faecium, Pediococcus acidilactici, Bacillus animalis, Lactobacillus salivarius and Lactobacillus reuteri decreased the colonisation of Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella Enteritidis in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) of broilers, whereas Bacillus subtilis improved feed conversion, intestinal morphology, stimulated the immune system and inhibited the colonisation of Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli and Salmonella Minnesota. Lactobacillus salivarius and Pediococcus parvulus improved weight gain, bone characteristics, intestinal morphology and immune response, and decreased the colonisation of S. Enteritidis. Lactobacillus crispatus, L. salivarius, Lactobacillus gallinarum, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens decreased the Salmonella count and led to an increase in lysozyme and T lymphocytes. Probiotics may also improve feed digestion through production of phytases, lipases, amylases and proteases or stimulate the GIT to secrete digestive enzymes. Some strains increase the nutritional value of feed by production of vitamins, exopolysaccharides and antioxidants. Bacteriocins, if produced, regulate pathogen numbers in the GIT and keep pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory reactions in balance.

Assessment of novel probiotic strains on growth, hematobiochemical parameters, and production costs of commercial broilers in Bangladesh

Background and Aim:

The use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in the poultry industry has raised concern because of their potential harm to human health. Emerging evidence suggests that probiotics are a safer substitute, although little research has explored this in Bangladesh. We recently isolated local bacterial strains with probiotic properties. We aimed to determine their impact on the growth, hematobiochemical parameters, and production costs of broiler chicks relative to that of a commercial probiotic (CP) and AGP.

Materials and Methods:

Day-old male broiler chicks (Cobb 500, n=63) were divided equally into three experimental groups (three replicates per group and seven chicks per replicate). First group was fed a basal diet supplemented with the AGP, ciprofloxacin (CTL group), second group was fed a basal diet supplemented with the CP, Protexin^® (CP group), and the third group was fed a basal diet supplemented with our isolated bacterial strains (study probiotic [SP] group) for 36 days. Body weight was recorded daily, and relative growth rate (RGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and organ weights and carcass yields were calculated at the study’s end. Blood obtained on day 36 was used to determine the number of red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, as well as levels of serum glucose, total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides (TGs). Total production costs were estimated by summing the variable and fixed costs.

Results:

Chicks in both the CP and SP groups experienced significant decreases in blood glucose levels and significant increases in BW, RGR, FCR, levels of RBC and WBC, Hb concentration, and packed cell volume compared with those in the CTL group (p<0.05 for all). Our data suggested a numerical reduction (p>0.05) in levels of total cholesterol, TGs, and HDL in the SP and CP groups when compared to the CTL group. In addition, both CP and SP treatments resulted in significant (p<0.05) gains in net profit compared with the treatment given to the CTL group.

Conclusion:

Administration of probiotics, either from a commercialized or local source, led to greater improvements in growth, hematological parameters, and net profits of broiler chicks when compared with that of an AGP. This suggests that they are suitable alternatives to the AGPs used in poultry feed and that our isolated strains, in particular, are an ideal option for farmers in Bangladesh.

Probiotic and synbiotic in broiler diet: performance and Enterobacteriaceae

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of probiotics and synbiotics on the performance and Enterobacteriaceae count of broiler chickens. A total of 640 one-day-old male broiler chicks were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and eight replicates with 20 birds each. The treatments were: ration with performance enhancer (zinc bacitracin; positive control); ration without performance enhancer and probiotic/synbiotic (negative control); ration with probiotics; and ration with synbiotics. At 35 days, five birds from each treatment were euthanized and intestinal contents were harvested for determining the Enterobacteriaceae count. The performance data and average colony-forming units (CFUs) transformed as log CFU/g were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey’s test. The effects of probiotics and synbiotics were observed in the initial phase, with supplemented birds exhibiting comparable weight gain to those supplemented with bacitracin. No effect of the treatment on broiler performance was observed after 42 days. The enterobacterial count was comparable among all experimental treatments. Supplementation with probiotics and synbiotics did not compromise the performance of broilers and did not alter the Enterobacteriaceae count.

Comparative Effects of Using New Multi-Strain Synbiotics on Chicken Growth Performance, Hematology, Serum Biochemistry and Immunity

Simple Summary

Currently, there is an urgent need to decrease the use of antibiotics in poultry production. Long-term use of antibiotics in birds leads to the development of many drug-resistant microorganisms, has a negative impact on the environment and the antibiotic residues in poultry meat pose hazards to consumers’ health. Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics used in poultry are good alternatives for antibiotic and antibiotic growth stimulants. However, such additives must be adapted to the species, age and intended use of birds. Our newly developed synbiotic formulas which comprised three, four or five strains of Lactobacillus sp., as well as S. cerevisiae and inulin, were administered in feed for meat-type chickens throughout the 42-day experimental period. The results showed that our new synbiotics do not have any unfavorable influence on chicken health and may modulate the immune response and biochemical parameters. The results are very promising, and our synbiotics can be considered as products for commercial use in poultry. However, these findings should be confirmed in future field experiments.

Abstract

In this study, the influence of new multi-strain synbiotics on chicken growth performance, hematology, serum biochemistry and immunity was explored. Each synbiotic preparation (A, B and C) comprised three, four or five strains of Lactobacillus sp., respectively, as well as S. cerevisiae and inulin. All strains used in the synbiotics originated from wild-type strains from animal farms in Poland. Six groups of chickens, ROSS 308 line, were fed with three different synbiotics at a dose of 0.5 g/1 kg of feed. Body weight, as well as the biochemical and hematological parameters of the animals in each study group, were determined on the 7th, 14th, 28th and 42nd day of life. Body weight on day 42 differed between groups and was the highest in control group. This group also had the highestfeed conversion ratio (FCR) value. All measured biochemical parameters were in the normal ranges for poultry; however, we observed a lower alkaline phosphatase (AP) concentration on day 7 in the groups fed with synbiotics, which correlated with a lower level of triglycerides in those groups. The aspartate transaminase (AST) concentration was significantly lower in all groups on day 42 in comparison with the control. On day 7, the control group showed the highest concentration of Ca, K and P. Other parameters did not differ significantly throughout the experiment. All groups showed a similar tendency of increase in the red blood cells (RBC) count according to the age of the birds. Every white blood cells (WBC) population showed differences in the proportions between T and B lymphocytes. The T cell and monocyte counts increased until day 28 in all groups. The results showed that our newly developed synbiotic formulas do not have any unfavorable influence on chicken health and may modulate immune response and biochemical parameters. However, this hypothesis needs to be evaluated in future experiments.

Effect of the Use of Yarrowia lipolytica or Saccharomyces cerevisiae Yeast with a Probiotic in the Diet of Turkey Hens on Growth Performance and Gut Histology

The aim of the study was to determine whether the alternative yeast species Yarrowia lipolytica in turkey feed would have a more beneficial effect on growth performance and intestinal histology than the commonly used species Saccharomyces cerevisiae. An additional objective of the study was to test whether the addition of a probiotic to feed containing Yarrowia lipolytica or Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast would enhance its effect on growth performance and intestinal histology in turkeys. The experiment was carried out on 480 turkey hens randomly divided into six groups. Birds from the control group (C) and group P were fed standard feeds but group P additionally received a probiotic (0.05%). Groups Y and YP received feed containing Yarrowia lipolytica fodder yeast (3%), and the YP group received also the probiotic (0.05%). Similarly, in groups S and SP, the turkeys received feed with Saccharomyces cerevisiae fodder yeast (3%), and for the SP group the probiotic was added to the feed (0.05%). Yarrowia lipolytica yeast added in the amount of 3% to the turkey feed may be an alternative to the commonly used Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, because it improved growth performance, and above all, had a more beneficial effect on intestinal histology. The use of Yarrowia lipolytica alone can be beneficial for growth performance, while the combined use of 3% Yarrowia lipolytica in the feed and a 0.05% addition of a probiotic containing Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis has a more beneficial effect on gastrointestinal histology.

Effects of probiotic lactic acid bacteria on growth performance, carcass characteristics, hematological indices, humoral immunity, and IGF-I gene expression in broiler chicken

The effects of screened lactic acid bacteria strains were evaluated on growth performance, humoral immunity, and IGF-1 gene expression in broiler chickens. The three dietary groups of negative control fed basal diet, the native LAB probiotic group (NP), and PrimaLac commercial LAB probiotic (PC) were studied. The results revealed that NP and PC diets significantly improved feed conversion ratio and increased body weight, as well as relative weight of carcass compared with group fed NC diet (P < 0.05). Lymphocyte level was significantly increased in birds fed NP and PC (P < 0.01), while serum triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were significantly decreased compared with the NC (P < 0.05). Significant increases were observed in antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus of vaccinated birds (P < 0.03), and morphological analysis of ileum revealed significant increases (P < 0.05) in the villus height and villus height/crypt depth in birds fed NP and PC compared with the NC. The dietary significantly increased Lactobacillus spp. (P < 0.05), while Escherichia coli (P < 0.04) populations were significantly decreased, and also, the expression of IGF-1 gene in liver tissue of broilers fed NP and PC was significantly increased compared with the NC (P < 0.05). These results indicated that the identified native LAB strains can be used commercially as a low-cost probiotic in poultry industry of Iran.

Effects of probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic with and without feed restriction on performance, hematological indices and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

Objective

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic with and without feed restriction on broilers performance, blood parameters, carcass characteristics, and feed cost of production from 1 to 56 days of age.

Methods

Two hundred and forty unsexed one day-old chicks of Arbor Acres breed were used. Two trials, I and II, were conducted, with 120 birds in both. Each trial was divided into 4 equal groups. The birds in trial I were fed ad libitum throughout the experiment, while the chicks in trial II were fed ad libitum during the first week of age, then subjected to 5 hours/d of feed restriction from the beginning of the second week up to the end of the experiment. In both trials, the birds in group 1 were fed on a control diet while the other groups were given the same control diet supplemented either with a probiotic in group 2, prebiotic in group 3, or synbiotic in group 4.

Results

It was found that chicks fed diets supplemented with probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic (with and without feed restriction) exhibited higher body weight and feed efficiency than chicks fed the control diets. The feed additives in both trials did not affect hemoglobin, serum total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, and total cholesterol, except the packed cell volume which was increased in the additive treatments with restriction at the end of the experiment. Moreover, the dietary treatments did not influence the carcass yield. However, the relative weights of liver, gizzard and proventriculus, small intestine and bursa of fabricius were found to be increased. The additives decreased the visible fat in the carcass, with more decreasing effect in the additive groups with restriction. The lowest feed cost per kg of weight gain was observed in the birds fed diets supplemented with synbiotic, probiotic and prebiotic. Feed restriction improved the feed conversion ratio, economic return, but decreased the feed intake, serum total cholesterol and visible fat in comparison with non-restricted groups.

Conclusion

The biological feed additives could be routinely added to broiler diets, especially when a feed restriction program is followed. Finally, it can be recommended to restrict feed, and add probiotic or synbiotic to increase weight, improve feed conversion rate and reduce feed cost of production.