Under control: how a dietary additive can restore the gut microbiome and proteomic profile, and improve disease resilience in a marine teleostean fish fed vegetable diets

BACKGROUND

The constant increase of aquaculture production and wealthy seafood consumption has forced the industry to explore alternative and more sustainable raw aquafeed materials, and plant ingredients have been used to replace marine feedstuffs in many farmed fish. The objective of the present study was to assess whether plant-based diets can induce changes in the intestinal mucus proteome, gut autochthonous microbiota and disease susceptibility of fish, and whether these changes could be reversed by the addition of sodium butyrate to the diets. Three different trials were performed using the teleostean gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) as model. In a first preliminary short-term trial, fish were fed with the additive (0.8%) supplementing a basal diet with low vegetable inclusion (D1) and then challenged with a bacteria to detect possible effects on survival. In a second trial, fish were fed with diets with greater vegetable inclusion levels (D2, D3) and the long-term effect of sodium butyrate at a lower dose (0.4%) added to D3 (D4 diet) was tested on the intestinal proteome and microbiome. In a third trial, the long-term effectiveness of sodium butyrate (D4) to prevent disease outcome after an intestinal parasite (Enteromyxum leei) challenge was tested.

RESULTS

The results showed that opposed forces were driven by dietary plant ingredients and sodium butyrate supplementation in fish diet. On the one hand, vegetable diets induced high parasite infection levels that provoked drops in growth performance, decreased intestinal microbiota diversity, induced the dominance of the Photobacterium genus, as well as altered the gut mucosal proteome suggesting detrimental effects on intestinal function. On the other hand, butyrate addition slightly decreased cumulative mortality after bacterial challenge, avoided growth retardation in parasitized fish, increased intestinal microbiota diversity with a higher representation of butyrate-producing bacteria and reversed most vegetable diet-induced changes in the gut proteome.

CONCLUSIONS

This integrative work gives insights on the pleiotropic effects of a dietary additive on the restoration of intestinal homeostasis and disease resilience, using a multifaceted approach.

Sodium butyrate improved performance while modulating the cecal microbiota and regulating the expression of intestinal immune-related genes of broiler chickens

This study evaluated the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) on performance, expression of immune-related genes in the cecal tonsils, and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens when dietary energy and amino acids concentrations were reduced. Day-old male Ross 708 broiler chicks were fed dietary treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial design (8 pens per treatment) with 3 dietary formulations (control diet; reduction of 2.3% of amino acids and 60 kcal/kg; and reduction of 4.6% of amino acids and 120 kcal/kg) with or without the inclusion of 0.1% of SB. Feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BW gain), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded until 28 d of age. From 14 to 28 d, there was an interaction of nutrient density by SB (P = 0.003) wherein BW gain of birds fed SB was impaired less by the energy/amino acids reduction than unsupplemented birds. A similar result was obtained from 1 to 28 d (P = 0.004). No interaction (P < 0.05) between nutrient density by SB was observed for FCR. Nutritional density of the diets and SB modified the structure, composition, and predicted function of the cecal microbiota. The nutritionally reduced diet altered the imputed function performed by the microbiota and the SB supplementation reduced these variations, keeping the microbial function similar to that observed in chickens fed a control diet. The frequency of bacterial species presenting the butyryl-CoA: acetate CoA-transferase gene increased in the microbiota of chickens fed a nutritionally reduced diet without SB supplementation, and was not changed by nutrient density of the diet when supplemented with SB (interaction; P = 0.01). SB modulated the expression of immune related genes in the cecal tonsils; wherein SB upregulated the expression of A20 in broilers fed control diets (P < 0.05) and increased IL-6 expression (P < 0.05). These results show that SB had positive effects on the productive performance of broilers fed nutritionally reduced diets, partially by modulating the cecal microbiota and exerting immune-modulatory effects.

Antimicrobial activity of a selection of organic acids, their salts and essential oils against swine enteropathogenic bacteria

Background

Accurate screening of new alternative antimicrobial compounds is essential for their use to control pathogens in swine production due to the replacement of antibiotics and zinc oxide. Most in vitro studies have separately reported the antimicrobial activity of organic acids and essential oils (EOs) using diverse methods for susceptibility testing. In addition, in vitro outcomes can help in the selection of the suitable antimicrobial compound and effective combinations of these compounds in the control of pathogens of interest in pork production. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determinate the antibacterial activity of six organic acids and six EOs against Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Clostridium perfringens isolates, some of them multi-resistant to antibiotics, from swine origin. The synergistic effects between the products with higher activity for each bacteria were also calculated.

Results

All products tested showed activity against at least one bacterial species, except for black pepper EO. The results showed that formic acid with the shortest chain length was the most effective against E. coli and Salmonella spp., while the sodium salt of coconut fatty acid distillates with long chain acids was the most effective against C. perfringens. The susceptibility of isolates tested to EOs was similar, a result that demonstrates a similar activity of these products against phylogenetically unrelated pathogens. In addition, an additive effect was shown for carvacrol-oregano EO for E. coli, formic acid-carvacrol and formic acid-thymol for Salmonella spp. and carvacrol-cinamaldehyde for C. perfringens.

Conclusions

The susceptibility of isolates to EOs was similar, a result that demonstrates a similar activity of these products against phylogenetically unrelated pathogens in contrast to organic acids. In addition, an additive effect was shown for several combinations of these compounds.

Evaluation of different protections of butyric acid aiming for release in the last part of the gastrointestinal tract of piglets

Three tests, 2 in vivo and 1 in vitro, were conducted to compare how 2 forms of protection of butyric acid (BA) affect its liberation along the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of piglets. The 2 forms of BA were vegetable fat-encapsulated sodium butyrate (SBE) and monoglyceride of butyric acid (MB). In the first trial, 528 piglets were weaned at 21 d of age and assigned to 3 diets in 8 replicate pens of 22 piglets per pen for 39 d. The 3 diets were (i) prestarter and starters I and II (Con), (ii) C + SBE (6 kg/t in both prestarter and starter feeds), and (iii) C + MB (2.5 kg/t in the prestarter feed, 2 kg/t in the starter feed I, and 0 kg/t in the starter feed II). Piglets receiving C and SBE feeds tended to show higher BW (18.74, 18.66, and 17.82 kg; P < 0.1) and ADG (331.2, 330.5, and 308.9 g/d; P < 0.1) than MB piglets; no significant differences were observed in feed intake or FCR. In the second trial, 8 pens of 4 piglets each (4 pens per treatment), weaned at 21 d, were given either a standard postweaning program with SBE (2 kg/t) or with MB (2 kg/t) and received the same amount of BA. Body weight, feed intake, and FCR were evaluated at days 14 and 28 of trial. At the end of the trial, 1 animal per pen was euthanized and the concentration of BA and VFA in duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, and cecum were quantified with HPLC. There were no statistical differences in growth, feed intake, or FCR. However, SBE-fed animals had higher concentration of VFA in colon than MB-fed animals. There were relevant numerical differences in the rest of the GIT sections but they were not statistically significant. The in vitro digestion of the products confirmed that BA can be released more easily from SBE (157.2 g of BA/kg of product after 7 h) than from MB (56.4 g of BA/kg of product after 7 h). It is concluded that the addition of SBE allows more BA to reach the distal sections of the GIT than MB.

Sodium salt medium-chain fatty acids and Bacillus-based probiotic strategies to improve growth and intestinal health of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

Background

The increased demand for fish protein has led to the intensification of aquaculture practices which are hampered by nutritional and health factors affecting growth performance. To solve these problems, antibiotics have been used for many years in the prevention, control and treatment against disease as well as growth promoters to improve animal performance. Nowadays, the use of antibiotics in the European Union and other countries has been completely or partially banned as a result of the existence of antibiotic cross-resistance. Therefore, a number of alternatives, including enzymes, prebiotics, probiotics, phytonutrients and organic acids used alone or in combination have been proposed for the improvement of immunological state, growth performance and production in livestock animals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate two commercially available feed additives, one based on medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) from coconut oil and another with a Bacillus-based probiotic, in gilthead sea bream (GSB, Sparus aurata), a marine farmed fish of high value in the Mediterranean aquaculture.

Methods

The potential benefits of adding two commercial feed additives on fish growth performance and intestinal health were assessed in a 100-days feeding trial. The experimental diets (D2 and D3) were prepared by supplementing a basal diet (D1) with MCFAs in the form of a sodium salt of coconut fatty acid distillate (DICOSAN^®; Norel, Madrid, Spain), rich on C-12, added at 0.3% (D2) or with the probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940, added at 0.1% (D3). The study integrated data on growth performance, blood biochemistry, histology and intestinal gene expression patterns of selected markers of intestinal function and architecture.

Results

MCFAs in the form of a coconut oil increased feed intake, growth rates and the surface of nutrient absorption, promoting the anabolic action of the somatotropic axis. The probiotic (D3) induced anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects with changes in circulating cortisol, immunoglobulin M, leukocyte respiratory burst, and mucosal expression levels of cytokines, lymphocyte markers and immunoglobulin T.

Discussion

MCFA supplementation showed positive effects on GSB growth and intestinal architecture acting mainly in the anterior intestine, where absorption takes place. The probiotic B. amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940 exhibited key effects in the regulation of the immune status inducing anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects which can be potentially advantageous upon infection or exposure to other stressors. The potential effects of these feed additives in GSB are very promising to improve health and disease resistance in aquaculture.

Efficacy of medium-chain fatty acid salts distilled from coconut oil against two enteric pathogen challenges in weanling piglets

BACKGROUND

The search for alternatives to antibiotics in pig production has increased the interest in natural resources with antimicrobial properties, such as medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) as in-feed additives. This study evaluated the potential of a novel blend of MCFA salts (DIC) from distilled coconut oil with a lauric acid content to reduce enteropathogens and control intestinal diseases around weaning. Two experimental disease models were implemented in early-weaned piglets, consisting of two oral challenges: Salmonella Typhimurium (1.2 × 108 CFU) or enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4 (1.5 × 109 CFU). The parameters assessed were: animal performance, clinical signs, pathogen excretion, intestinal fermentation, immune-inflammatory response, and intestinal morphology.

RESULTS

The Salmonella challenge promoted an acute course of diarrhea, with most of the parameters responding to the challenge, whereas the ETEC F4 challenge promoted a mild clinical course. A consistent antipathogenic effect of DIC was observed in both trials in the hindgut, with reductions in Salmonella spp. plate counts in the cecum (P = 0.03) on d 8 post-inoculation (PI) (Salmonella trial), and of enterobacteria and total coliform counts in the ileum and colon (P < 0.10) on d 8 PI (ETEC F4 trial). When analyzing the entire colonic microbiota (16S rRNA gene sequencing), this additive tended (P = 0.13) to reduce the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and enriched Fibrobacteres after the Salmonella challenge. In the ETEC F4 challenge, DIC prompted structural changes in the ecosystem with increases in Dialister, and a trend (P = 0.14) to increase the Veillonellaceae family. Other parameters such as the intestinal fermentation products or serum pro-inflammatory mediators were not modified by DIC supplementation, nor were the histological parameters. Only the intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) counts were lowered by DIC in animals challenged with Salmonella (P = 0.07). With ETEC F4, the IEL counts were higher with DIC on d 8 PI (P = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the potential activity of this MCFA salts mixture to reduce intestinal colonization by opportunistic pathogens such as Salmonella or E. coli and its ability to modulate colonic microbiota. These changes could explain to some extent the local immune cell response at the ileal level.

Response of gastrointestinal fermentative activity and colonic microbiota to protected sodium butyrate and protected sodium heptanoate in weaned piglets challenged with ETEC F4. Arch Anim Nutr 2019;73:339-359. [PMID: 31342760 DOI: 10.1080/1745039x.2019.1641376]

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of two new fat-protected butyrate or heptanoate salts to improve gut health and control post-weaning colibacillosis in weaning piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4⁺, particularly focusing on their impact on intestinal microbiota and fermentative activity along the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Seventy-two 21-d-old pigs were fed a plain diet (CTR) or supplemented with sodium butyrate (BUT) or sodium heptanoate (HPT), both at 0.3%. After a week of adaptation, animals were orally challenged at days 8 and 9 with 5.8 · 10⁹ and 6.6 · 10¹⁰ cfu, respectively, and were euthanised on d 4 and d 8 post-inoculation (PI) (n = 8) to collect blood, digesta and tissue samples and characterise microbial groups, pathogen loads (qPCR), fermentation, ileal histomorphometry and immune markers. Colonic microbiota was analysed by 16S rRNA gene MiSeq sequencing. Supplementing both acid salts did not compensate clinical challenge effects nor performance impairments and neither histomorphometry nor serum biomarkers. Changes in the gastric fermentative activity were registered, BUT reducing lactic acid concentrations (day 8 PI), and with HPT fewer animals presenting detectable concentrations of propionic, butyric and valeric acids. At ileum BUT increased acetic acid concentration (day 8 PI), and both additives reduced short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the colon. Increases in enterobacteria and coliforms counts in ileal digesta (day 4 PI, p < 0.10) and mucosa scrapes (p < 0.05) were registered although E. coli F4 gene copies were unaffected. Regarding changes in the colonic microbiota (day 4 PI), Prevotellaceae and Prevotella were promoted with BUT supplementation whereas only minor groups were modified in HPT-treated animals. Summarising, although the pathogen loads or inflammatory mediators remained unresponsive, butyrate and heptanoate showed a significant impact on microbial fermentation along the whole GIT, being able to modify different bacterial groups at the colon. It could be hypothesised that these effects might be mediated by a carry-over effect of the changes observed in gastric fermentation, but possibly also to a better nutrient digestion in the foregut as a result of the reduced colonic SCFA concentrations.

Impact of in-feed sodium butyrate or sodium heptanoate protected with medium-chain fatty acids on gut health in weaned piglets challenged with Escherichia coli F4. Arch Anim Nutr 2020;74:271-295. [PMID: 32108496 DOI: 10.1080/1745039x.2020.1726719]

Short and medium-chain fatty acids (SCFA and MCFA, respectively) are commonly used as feed additives in piglets to promote health and prevent post-weaning diarrhoea. Considering that the mechanism and site of action of these fatty acids can differ, a combined supplementation could result in a synergistic action. Considering this, it was aimed to assess the potential of two new in-feed additives based on butyrate or heptanoate, protected with sodium salts of MCFA from coconut distillates, against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4⁺ using an experimental disease model. Two independent trials were performed in 48 early-weaned piglets fed a control diet (CTR) or a diet supplemented with MCFA-protected sodium butyrate (BUT+; Trial 1) or sodium heptanoate (HPT+; Trial 2). After 1 week of adaptation, piglets were challenged with a single oral inoculum of ETEC F4⁺ (minimum 1.4 · 10⁹ cfu). One animal per pen was euthanised on days 4 and 8 post-inoculation (PI) and the following variables assessed: growth performance, clinical signs, gut fermentation, intestinal morphology, inflammatory mediators, pathogen excretion and colon microbiota. None of the additives recovered growth performance or reduced diarrhoea when compared to the respective negative controls. However, both elicited different responses against ETEC F4⁺. The BUT+ additive did not lead to reduce E. coli F4 colonisation but enterobacterial counts and goblet cell numbers in the ileum were increased on day 8 PI and this followed higher serum TNF-α concentrations on day 4 PI. The Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio was nevertheless increased. Findings in the HPT+ treatment trial included fewer animals featuring E. coli F4 in the colon and reduced Enterobacteriaceae (determined by 16S RNA sequencing) on day 4 PI. In addition, while goblet cell numbers were lower on day 8 PI, total SCFA levels were reduced in the colon. Results indicate the efficacy of MCFA-protected heptanoate against ETEC F4⁺ and emphasise the potential trophic effect of MCFA-protected butyrate on the intestinal epithelium likely reinforcing the gut barrier.

Effects of dietary crude protein level and sodium butyrate protected by medium-chain fatty acid salts on performance and gut health in weaned piglets

To reduce the use of antibiotics, research into nutritional strategies designed to improve the gut health of weaned pigs is underway. This study sought to examine the effects of reducing dietary crude protein (CP) and/or supplementing the feed with sodium butyrate protected by the sodium salts of medium-chain fatty acids on the growth performance and gut health of weaned piglets. Ninety-six weaned piglets (Landrace × large white, 21 days of age) were allotted to four experimental treatments for 14 d. The experimental design was factorial with 2 CP levels and 2 feed-additive doses (0 vs. 1 kg/t). Results showed that reducing CP from 22.2% to 18.8% diet had no effect on piglet growth performance parameters during the first post-weaning week (P > 0.05), but did compromise growth in the second week (P = 0.011), impacting overall growth performance results (P = 0.019). Nonetheless, dietary CP level reduction led reducing crypt depth (P = 0.03657). In addition, Lactobacillus counts that were increased in the ileum (P = 0.032) and reduced in the colon (P = 0.032). Furthermore, apparent ileal digestibility of organic matter (P = 0.026) and fecal consistency (P < 0.05) were improved throughout the experiment. Moreover, in piglets fed diets containing 22.2% CP, the use of the feed-additive tended to improve the gain-to-feed ratio (P = 0.091) compared to those fed supplemented diets containing 18.8% CP. In addition, feed supplementation increased ileal numbers of goblet cells (P = 0.036), as well as apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter (P = 0.057) and organic matter (P = 0.003). Supplementation also had beneficial effects on the microbiota of the colon, increasing Lactobacillus counts (P = 0.006) and diminishing Enterobacteriaceae counts (P = 0.003), as well as affecting microbial metabolite profiles in that acetic acid concentrations tended to be increased (P = 0.088) and valeric acid concentrations were reduced (P = 0.002). These findings support the use of both strategies can improve the gut health of weaned piglets and prompt further research into the possible benefits of combining these two nutritional strategies on gut health and growth performance.

Evaluation of sodium butyrate and nutrient concentration for broiler chickens

The relation between nutrition and intestinal health is a subject with an increasing interest in research, as nutritionists need knowledge about how formulation affects different parameters in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). That is why 4 trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of nutrient concentration and a feed additive (sodium butyrate protected with sodium salts of palm fatty acid distillates (PSB, Gustor N'RGY produced by Norel S.A., Spain, dosed at 1 kg/t), on performance, diet digestibility, intestinal morphology, volatile fatty acid concentration (VFA) in the GIT and intestinal microbiota of broiler chickens, when fed diets with different energy and amino acids concentration. Control diets, C, with the recommended metabolizable energy (ME) and ideal amino acid (AA) composition; Reduction 1, R1, C – 60 kcal ME and – 2.3% AA and Reduction 2, R2, C – 120 kcal ME and – 4.6% AA) based on different feed ingredients (Corn Soy [CS] and Wheat Barley Soy (WBS) were formulated. All trials lasted 42 d. In trials 2 and 4, the nutrient dilution decreased performance of the animals. In all trials, PSB improved animal performance (growth or FCR), despite the different situations. In trials 1 and 4, animals receiving R1 diets and PSB showed similar performance to those receiving C diets without PSB. PSB improved Gross Energy metabolizability (69.94 vs. 72.55; P: 0.02). Nutrient concentration affected histology results in T2 (ileum) and T3 (jejunum); PSB showed effects in T2 (jejunum, ileum) and in T3 (jejunum). In T1, PSB affected VFA in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, changing the profile depending on diet nutrient concentration. PSB altered microbiology in caecum of animals in T2. It can be concluded that the dilution of ME and AA concentration of the diet impairs animal performance, influences intestinal microbiota and affects intestinal histology. PSB improves animal performance, increases gross energy metabolizability, steers intestinal microbiota and alters VFA concentrations in the intestine. The addition of PSB may help the animal to counteract the negative effects of diluted diets.

287 Effect of lauric acid based additives on weaning piglets

Effect of feed additives based on lauric acid (LA) on performance and faecal score in piglets. A total of 192 piglets were distributed in 24 pens from 25 to 66d of age (42d feeding period). The study was divided into two feeding phases; starter (25 to 38d) and grower period (39 to 66d). Treatments were: CON-, diet without additives nor antibiotics; CON+, diet with Doxycycline (0.25g/kg and 0.13g/kg in starter and grower diets); DIC, CON- diet plus sodium salt of coconut fatty acids distillate (DICOSAN) at 3kg/t and 1kg/tn in starter and grower diets; MON, CON- diet plus monolaurine at 2.1kg/t and 0.7kg/tn in starter and grower diets. The dosage of both products was made at same level of LA (0.96kg LA/t starter and 0.32kg LA/t grower). All parameters were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA via SPSS, with pen as the experimental unit. At 38d, CON+ and DIC piglets had significantly lower FCR than CON- (1.534a, 1.353b, 1.380b and 1.526ab, for CON-, CON+, DIC and MON, P = 0.021). At 66d, CON+ tended to have lower FCR than CON- (1.613x, 1.541y, 1.560xy and 1.605xy, for CON-, CON+, DIC and MON, P = 0.054). For the overall period, DIC and CON+ piglets had significantly lower FCR than CON- (1.603a, 1.514b, 1.537b and 1.589ab, for CON-, CON+, DIC and MON, P = 0.003), there was also a tendency to lower daily weight gain in MON treatment when compared with CON+ (443xy, 468y, 449xy and 440x g/d, for CON-, CON+, DIC and MON, P = 0.079). Finally, the faecal score showed higher values for DIC and CON+, meaning more consistent faeces (3.71a, 3.93b, 3.84b and 3.82ab, for CON-, CON+, DIC and MON, P = 0.001). The results demonstrated that DICOSAN, administered in feed at the same dosage of lauric acid, achieved better results than monolaurine and CON- and without significant differences with CON+.

PSIX-36 Effect of lauric acid based additives on piglets fecal microbiota

This study evaluated the effect of two feed lauric acid (LA) based additives on faecal microbiota of piglets. A total of 256 piglets were distributed (from 25 to 66d of age) in 4 treatments: CON-, diet without additives nor antibiotics; CON+, diet with Doxycycline; DIC, CON- diet plus sodium salt of coconut fatty acids distillate at 3kg/t and 1kg/t in starter and grower diets; MON, CON- diet plus monolaurine at 2.1kg/t and 0.7kg/t in starter and grower diets. The dosage of both products was made at the same level of LA (0.96kg LA/t starter and 0.32kg LA/t grower). At the end of the study, the 16S rDNA sequencing was performed. The result showed a drastic decrease in the abundance of the dominating genus Prevotella within the MON group compensated by other genera increase, mostly Selenomonadales. Streptococcus, Treponema, and unclassified Erysipelotrichaceae, Dialister or Bacillus increased their respective abundances. Treponema was more pronounced in the DIC, however, all other mentioned genera did not show a similar increase in abundance. Dialister (a marker for disease in humans) showed significantly lower abundance in DIC. In the bacterial fingerprints, a trend for clustering according to treatment was visible. Six of eight CON- samples formed a separate cluster. Six of eight samples of the DIC formed a cluster that shared very low similarity to the CON-. Four of eight CON+ samples formed a separate cluster. MON samples were interspersed among all samples and showed no distinct clustering. Even though quantitative microbial comparisons were only anecdotal, observations may indicate a more “healthier” microbiota in the DIC than was present in the MON. DIC also showed a much closer similarity of bacterial fingerprints for the pooled samples in the qualitative analysis indicating that DIC had a higher potential to modify the faecal (hindgut) microbiota than MON.

PSIX-17 Effect of imprinting with essential oils on performance parameters and diarrheas in weaned piglets

The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effect of prenatal and postnatal inclusion of a combination of essential oils (EO) on performance parameters and diarrheas after 2 weeks post-weaning. The trial followed a 2x3 factorial design; 2 sow diets: basal or with EO at 375 g/t x 3 piglet diets: basal diet, medicated with 200 ppm of colistin or treated with 375 g/t of EO. A total of 168 weaned piglets were randomly distributed in the 6 groups: 3 from basal sows (CC, CA and CT) and 3 from EO sows (TC, TA and TT), being the animals from the TT treatment the ones imprinted. The incidence of diarrhea was recorded twice a day and calculated using the percentage of animals with diarrhea over the total period of observations carried out. The animals were weighed at 14 days post-weaning. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA using GLM procedure of SAS. Animals from the TT group had significantly lower incidence of diarrheas from 0 to 14 days post weaning. Diarrhea was recorded on 4.7b% of the observations (TT group), being significantly lower (P ≤ 0.001) than the animals from CC (10.8a%), CA (13.7a%), CT (10.7a%), TC (14.4a%) and TA (12.9a%). Performance parameters indicated that there were non-significant differences in BW, ADFI, ADG with numerically lower FCR (kg/kg) 1.14 in TT group (CC 1.23, CA 1.33, CT 1.27, TC 1.22, TA 1.23). Despite the non-significant differences in performance parameters, in this study the effect of imprinting with essential oils reduced diarrhea incidence.

Impact of Dietary Supplementation with Sodium Butyrate Protected by Medium-Chain Fatty Acid Salts on Gut Health of Broiler Chickens

Nutritional strategies to improve gut health of broilers are under research. This study investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with sodium butyrate protected by sodium salts of medium-chain fatty acids as a feed additive on broiler gut health. The first experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing at 0.5, 1, and 2 kg/t in broilers housed under optimal conditions. Supplementation at 0.5 and 1 kg/t maintained goblet cell counts at 10 days of age (p ≤ 0.05), and supplementation at 1 kg/t decreased intraepithelial lymphocyte counts compared to 2 kg/t at 39 days (p ≤ 0.10). Abdominal fat pad levels of lauric and myristic acids were gradually increased by supplement dose (p ≤ 0.05). In the second experiment, the feed additive at 1 kg/t was evaluated in coccidiosis-challenged broilers. Experimental treatments were as follows: non-challenged, control-challenged, and supplemented-challenged treatments. Coccidiosis negatively impact performance and modify histomorphometry and microbiota (p ≤ 0.05). The feed additive increased crypt depth at 7 days post-inoculation and goblet cell count at 14 days post-inoculation (p ≤ 0.05). Further, supplementation interacted with the microbiota modification led by the coccidiosis (p ≤ 0.05). These results suggest that this feed additive could be a useful strategy to reinforce the gut barrier, especially for birds under coccidiosis-challenge treatments.

Short Communication: Evaluation of Intestinal Release of Butyric Acid from Sodium Butyrate Protected by Salts of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids in Broiler Chickens

Butyric acid has received great attention as a feed additive to maintain or increase the gut integrity and health of broiler chickens. Particularly, the protection of butyrate is under research to allow slow intestinal release of butyric acid and to promote its beneficial effects throughout the intestine. This study evaluated in vivo the intestinal release of butyric acid from sodium butyrate protected by salts of medium-chain fatty acid in broilers. Brilliant blue was used as an inert marker, so it was included in the feed additive that broilers ingested for two days. The gastrointestinal tract was then colored in blue from jejunum and backward. Considering the digesta color of the broilers non-supplemented as blank, it allowed quantification of the amount of brilliant blue, and consequently, butyric acid delivered in the intestine from the protected feed additive. Few traces of butyric acid were released in the duodenum and proximal jejunum, whereas the major amount (45.9%) was delivered in the distal ileum (p < 0.001). These results suggest that this in vivo approach allows for evaluation of the intestinal delivery of butyric acid supplemented as protected sodium butyrate by medium-chain fatty acids, showing a gradual intestinal release of butyric acid in broiler chickens.

PSIII-40 Essential oil blend as a possible alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler production

Despite the limited use of antibiotics as growth promoters (AGPs) in a number of countries, many others find a useful tool in them. However, many producers in the later regions are transitioning to AGP-free production for commercial reasons. The aim of this trial was to determine whether a blend of essential oils (EO), like oregano or clove, could reach similar production/health parameters compared to an AGP treatment used in broiler production. A total of 1,200 one-day-old chicks were distributed in 2 treatments within 12 floor pens (n = 6). The treatments were: T1-basal feed + AGP (Enramycin 10ppm); T2-basal feed + EO (1kg/t). The trial lasted 35d and performance parameters were recorded weekly. On day 21 and 35, one bird per pen was euthanized for intestinal and carcass analysis. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA using the GLM procedure of SAS 9.0. There were no significant differences in the performance parameters at 35d. A trend was observed of higher BW (P = 0.062) at 28d for EO birds (1,708g) compared to AGP birds (1,671g), which relates to another trend (P = 0.071) of increased daily gain from 21-28d (685g and 653g for EO and AGP treatments respectively). A relevant finding was a significantly (P = 0.034) higher mortality in AGP birds from 0-28d (4.83%) compared to EO birds (3.00%). In the post-mortem analysis no differences were observed in intestinal segments in relative and total length. However, animals from T2 showed a trend (P = 0.077) to have heavier gizzards at 21d, which could indicate an effect of EO on their development, while T1 animals had a significantly heavier cecum at 35d (P = 0.026). No relevant findings were observed in carcass weights and yield. These results suggest that this EO blend could be a valid alternative to AGPs, although further trials under commercial conditions should be carried out to confirm its potential.

PSVII-32 In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial activity of short- and medium-chain fatty acid salts and their combinations against Streptococcus suis

The aim of this study was to investigate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of organic acid salts against six field isolates of Streptococcus suis. The three products evaluated were sodium salt of coconut fatty acids distillate (DIC) alone and two combinations with sodium butyrate (NaBut): DIC70:30, being 70% of NaBut protected with 30% of DIC; and DIC50:50, being 50% of NaBut protected with 50% of DIC. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed to estimate the MIC values for each product and strain by the broth microdilution method at pH 6.0. MBC values were also determined by sub-culturing supernatant from wells without evident bacterial growth. The values of MIC50/MBC50 were calculated as the concentration which inhibited/killed 50% of the isolates tested. The MIC50 showed DIC as the most effective (8 ppm) against S. suis followed by DIC50:50 (32 ppm) and DIC70:30 (64 ppm). The MBC50 demonstrated a similar trend, DIC being the most effective (16 ppm) followed by DIC50:50 (64 ppm) and DIC70:30 (64 ppm). It is well known that butyric acid is a short-chain fatty acid which has strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. In contrast, coconut fatty acids distillate is a medium-chain fatty acid source (MCFA) rich in lauric acid which has strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Both products are generally available as salts to facilitate their application in feed. In this study, the results showed that DIC was the most effective against the Gram-positive bacteria tested, followed by DIC50:50 and DIC70:30, the sodium butyrate-based products. As expected, a higher concentration of MCFA in the tested product was associated with a higher inhibitory and bactericidal activity. Further studies would be required to better understand these interactions as well as in vivo studies to demonstrate the effects on microbial populations.

PSIII-24 Effect of two sources of encapsulated sodium butyrate on broilers performance

The study was conducted to elucidate effects of feed supplementation with two sources of encapsulated sodium butyrate (ESB, ~30% sodium butyrate encapsulated with vegetable fat) respect to a control diet, on broilers performance. A total of 960 Ross308 one-day-old chicks were randomly distributed into 3 treatments with 16 replicates and 20 birds per replicate: CON (control diet), AD (CON + 2.19kg/tn of ESB from supplier 1) and GUSTOR (CON + 2.19kg/tn of ESB from supplier 2). Feed and water were offered ad libitum. Performance was recorded at 0, 21 and 42d at pen level, and the results presented were corrected by mortality; gut morphology from jejunum at 42 days was also recorded. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA using the GLM procedure of SAS. Regarding body weight, some numerical differences were observed between control and groups with ESB at 21d (777g, 786g, and 784g, for CON, AD and GUSTOR, respectively) and at 41d (2719g, 2727g and 2734g, for CON, AD and GUSTOR, respectively). From 0-21d, 22-42d and 0-42d average daily feed intake (ADFI, g/d) was significantly affected by treatment (0-42d: 101b, 100b, 98a, for CON, AD and GUSTOR, respectively, P = 0.045). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) followed the same trend and was significantly improved by GUSTOR at 21 (0-21d: 1.52b, 1.52b and 1.48a for CON, AD and GUSTOR, respectively, P = 0.002) and at 42 days (0-42d: 1.59b, 1.58b and 1.56a for CON, AD and GUSTOR, respectively, P &lt; 0.001). No differences were found in villus height and density, crypt depth and density, number of goblet cells and mucus layer in jejunum at 42d. As expected, the results showed no differences on gut morphology due to a totally encapsulated active principle without activity in the small intestine. Even though both ESB were similar, birds supplemented with ESB-GUSTOR were more efficient than birds supplemented with ESB-AD.

PSXII-8 Effects of fat matrix and particle size of coated methionine on by-pass fraction of dry matter and nitrogen

The aim of this study was to evaluate the By-Pass fraction (BPF) of the dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) of coated methionine with different fat matrix (FM) and particle size (PS). Two FM (Hydrogenated Stearin, HS, and Hydrogenated Palm Fatty Acid Distillate, HPFAD) and four PS (&lt; 500, 500–750, 750–1400, and &gt;1400 µm) were evaluated in an in situ trial with three rumen-cannulated sheep. Intact samples (1 g) were weighed into nylon bags and incubated in the rumen for 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h; process repeated twice in each sheep. After extraction from the rumen, the bags were washed with cold water, frozen and lyophilized, before determining N content in the incubation residue. Effective degradability of DM and N was calculated for a rumen passage rate of 0.08/h-1 according to Ørskov and McDonald (1979), and the BPF was calculated as 100 minus the effective degradability. Data were analyzed using a mixed-effect model, with FM, PS and FMxPS interaction as fixed effects and sheep as random; means were compared with LSD test (P ≤ 0.05). HS-coated methionine had higher values of BPF of DM and N (78.2 and 49.6%, respectively; values averaged for all PS; P &lt; 0.001) than HPFAD-coated methionine (64.4 and 17.7%, respectively). There was an interaction between FM and PS (P &lt; 0.001) for BPF of DM and N. Increasing PS of HS-methionine augmented the BPF from 68.9 to 90.3% for DM and from 22.9 to 79.8% for N, whereas the increases for PFAD-methionine were lower (from 66.3 to 66.3% for DM, and from 7.5 to 28.6% for N). It is concluded that the use of HS as FM and the increase of PS are valid strategies to improve methionine protection from ruminal degradation, reaching BPF values of 90.3 and 79.8 % for DM and N, respectively.