Comparative Effects of Spray-Dried Plasma and Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate on Intestinal Development in Broiler Chicks

Characterization of spray-dried plasma-induced immune response in Salmonella-challenged broiler chicks

Spray-dried plasma (SDP) is a functional feed additive that has been established to improve performance and health of livestock. Understanding the effect of SDP in immune response modulation is essential to optimize its use for controlling Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infection in chickens. This study was conducted to determine the levels of expression of selected cytokine genes in the ileum and cecal tonsil of SE-challenged broiler chicks. In a floor-pen housing, 320 broilers chicks were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups: CX (unmedicated corn-soybean meal (SBM) basal without SDP), MX (unmedicated corn-SBM basal with antibiotic bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) added at 0.055g/kg diet), PCX (unmedicated corn-SBM basal with SDP added at 30g/kg diet). Treatments SE, MSE, and PSE consisted of chicks inoculated with 7.46 × 108 CFU SE /mL at 1 d of age and given diets similar to CX, MX, and PCX, respectively. Samples of cecal tonsils and ileum were collected on d 3, 7 and 14 post infection for qRT-PCR analysis to determine the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-13, IL-17, IL-6, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β genes. In the ceca tonsils, expression of IFN-γ was not affected by the interaction of Day and Treatment (P > 0.05). The level of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-13 was lower in MX and PCX on d 7 whereas high levels were expressed (P < 0.05) in MSE and PSE. In the ileum, expression of IL-17 and IFN-γ was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in PSE and MSE, but only PSE expressed lower IL-6 comparable to unchallenged treatments. On d 28 postchallenge, concentrations of anti-SE IgY and IL-6 protein were higher (P < 0.05) in the SE-challenged treatments compared to the unchallenged treatments. Overall, these results suggest that dietary SDP showed similar potency to BMD in modulating intestinal cytokine response against intestinal SE colonization in broiler chicks and therefore can be considered suitable alternative replacement for antibiotics in broiler production.

Chemical Composition and Functional Properties of Spray-Dried Animal Plasma and Its Contributions to Livestock and Pet Health: A Review

Spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) is a functional ingredient derived from healthy animal blood, used as a nutritional additive in livestock and pet nutrition. SDAP is rich in macronutrients, micronutrients, and bioactive compounds such as immunoglobulins, albumin, growth factors, peptides, transferrin, and enzymes. This review focuses on the chemical composition of SDAP from porcine, bovine, and poultry sources, including protein quality and mineral profile. SDAP enhances performance and health in monogastric farm animals, aquaculture, and pets. It promotes growth rates and feed intake due to its high digestibility and superior amino acid profile compared to other protein sources. In pigs, SDAP's positive effects stem from tissue-specific actions in the gastrointestinal tract, impacting digestion, immunity, and barrier function. For poultry, SDAP shows promise as a substitute for antibiotic growth promoters, particularly in chick starter diets. SDAP contains functional proteins that regulate immune response, enhance intestinal health, and aid in stress conditions. It is also used as a binder in pet food, providing high protein content and other desirable properties. SDAP meets the dietary requirements of carnivorous pets, appealing to owners seeking animal-derived protein sources. Additionally, SDAP may help prevent cognitive impairment in senior dogs and cats.

Comparative efficacy of spray-dried plasma and bacitracin methylene disalicylate in reducing cecal colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis in broiler chickens

Spray-dried plasma (SDP) contains immunoglobulins and glycoproteins that possess antibacterial properties. Two floor-pen trials were conducted to determine the efficacy of dietary SDP and bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) antibiotic in reducing intestinal colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) in broiler chickens. Experiment 1 was a 2-wk, 3 × 2 factorial design consisting of 6 treatments. Treatment CON consisted of chicks fed unmedicated corn-soybean meal (SBM) basal without SDP. Treatment BMD consisted of chicks given unmedicated corn-SBM basal into which BMD was added at 0.055g/kg diet. Treatment SDP consisted of chicks given unmedicated corn-SBM basal into which SDP was added at 30g/kg diet. Treatments CON-SE, BMD-SE, and SDP-SE consisted of chicks that were given diets similar to CON, BMD, and SDP, respectively, and were each inoculated with 7.46 × 10⁸ CFU SE /mL at 1 day of age. Experiment 2 was a 42-day trial that was similar to Experiment 1 in design, except that chicks were placed on fresh clean litter. On d 3, 7, 14, and 28 post-challenge (PC), ceca SE concentration was enumerated on xylose lysine tergitol-4 (XLT4) agar. Body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were also recorded. Results for d 3 showed that BMD- and SDP-fed chicks had similar (P > 0.05) cecal SE (3.39 log ₁₀ CFU / g and 3.58 log ₁₀ CFU / g, respectively), but these levels were lower (P < 0.05) than that of CON-fed chicks (5.68 log ₁₀ CFU / g). A similar trend was observed on d 7 and 14 PC. The BMD- and SDP-fed chicks also had higher BWG and FCR (P < 0.05) when compared with CON-fed chicks up to d 14. Thereafter, only BMD treatment sustained this growth-promoting effect till d 42 in SE-challenged birds. In conclusion, BMD and SDP showed similar efficacy in reducing cecal Salmonella and in mitigating consequent growth-depressing effect(s) in broiler chicks up to 2 wk of age.