The effect of a probiotic Enterococcus faecium product in diets of healthy dogs on bacteriological counts of Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. and Clostridium spp. in faeces.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of a probiotic on selected faecal bacteria of healthy dogs under different feed and environmental conditions. For the study 12 dogs kept in households were used for an 18-day supplementation with a patented commercially available strain of E. faecium NCIB 10415 (Enteroferm). In order to minimize losses the probiotic product was orally applicated once a day before meals at a dose of 2 g per dog (9.2 x 10(9) CFU). The faeces were collected before the beginning of the supplementation and at the end of the 18-day application period. In order to exclude contamination, all faeces were taken rectally. Before and at the end of the experimental period total Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. and Clostridium spp. counts were determined in fresh faeces using selective media. It was demonstrated that the 18-day application of the probiotic E. faecium product induced modifications on the gastrointestinal microflora in all dogs. While Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. counts were in majority of the dogs higher than before the application. Clostridium spp. counts were significantly reduced in 10 of 12 dogs. According to the guidelines for the evaluation of the efficiency of microorganisms in dogs a relevant efficacy effect was supported by this data. However, a beneficial effect of the probiotic product on healthy dogs remains questionable.     

Feeding live cultures of Enterococcus faecium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae induces an inflammatory response in feedlot steers

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of oral supplementation of the lactic-acid-producing bacterium Enterococcus faecium EF212 alone or in combination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) on mediators of the acute phase response in feedlot steers. Eight fistulated steers were used to study the effects of E. faecium alone or with yeast in a crossover design with 2 Latin squares, 4 steers within each square, and 2 periods. The length of each period was 3 wk, with a 10-d adaptation and an 11-d measurement period. The experimental diet contained 87% steam-rolled barley, 8% whole-crop barley silage, and 5% supplement (DM basis). In Exp. 1, treatments were control vs. the lactic-acid-producing bacterium E. faecium (6 x 10(10) cfu/d). In Exp. 2, treatments were control vs. E. faecium (6 x 10(10) cfu/d) and S. cerevisiae (6 x 10(10) cfu/d). The bacteria and yeast supplements were blended with calcium carbonate to supply 6 x 10(10) cfu/d when top-dressed into the diet once daily at the time of feeding (10 g/d). Steers fed the control diet received only carrier (10 g/d). Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein on d 17 and 21 of each period, and serum amyloid A (SAA), lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), haptoglobin, and alpha1-acid glycoprotein (alpha1-AGP) were measured. Supplementation of feed with E. faecium had no effect on concentrations of SAA, LBP, haptoglobin, or alpha1-AGP in plasma compared with those of controls. However, feeding E. faecium and yeast increased (P = 0.02) plasma concentrations of SAA, LBP, and haptoglobin but had no effect on plasma alpha1-AGP. In conclusion, oral supplementation of E. faecium alone had no effect on the mediators of the acute phase response that were measured, whereas feeding of E. faecium and yeast induced an inflammatory response in feedlot steers fed high-grain diets. Further research is warranted to determine the mechanism(s) by which E. faecium and yeast stimulated production of acute phase proteins in feedlot steers.     

Precaecal and faecal digestibility of inulin (DP 10-12) or an inulin/Enterococcus faecium mix and effects on nutrient digestibility and microbial gut flora

The aim of the present study was to investigate the precaecal and faecal digestibility of inulin (DP 10-12) and inulin/Enterococcus faecium mix, and the effects of these substances on nutrient digestibility and microbial gut flora. For the experiment four of eight male pigs were fitted with an end-to-end ileo-rectal anastomosis (IRA) with preserved ileo-caeco-colic valve. The residual pigs were used as intact partner (IN). The animals received 1.5 kg/day of a diet based on corn, wheat, barley and soybean meal, supplemented with either 8 x 10(9) CFU E. faecium/kg, 2% inulin or a mixture of both substances. The digestibility trial was carried out from weeks 4 to 8 after surgery. Precaecal digestibility of inulin was assessed to be 57%. The addition of E. faecium to the diet resulted in a similar precaecal digestibility of inulin of 55%. Supplementation of E. faecium, inulin, and a mixture of E. faecium and inulin did not affect precaecal and faecal nutrient digestibility with the exception of the precaecal digestibility of CF which increased when inulin alone was supplemented. Bacterial population in the digesta of IRA and IN pigs were not affected by the experimental diets except the concentration of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. The supplementation of E. faecium to the diet significantly decreased the concentration of bifidobacteria and the population of lactobacilli inclined to decrease when IN pigs received the probiotic diet. The combination of E. faecium and inulin prevented a reduction of enterococci in faeces of IN pigs. The daily digesta excretion (DM) tended to decrease in IRA and IN pigs when inulin was supplemented. The results indicate that inulin (DP 10-12) in pig nutrition did partly react as a prebiotic as has been confirmed for humans. A combination of E. faecium and inulin improves the survival of the probiotic strain through the upper intestinal tract and allocates the synbiotic effect. Furthermore inulin might be able to show positive effects on precaecal and faecal microbial characteristics.     

Discussion of a biometrical model for the evaluation of feeding, age, and animal effects on transport properties of small intestinal mucosa

This paper is concerned with the question in which ways study results can depend on the choice of the statistical model and factors included in this model. This is shown using example data of a study dealing with the effects of an Enterococcus faecium as probiotic in the diet of pigs. We focused on the effects on transport properties of pig jejunum. The experimental design was the following: the sows and piglets were randomly assigned to two different feeding groups. The control group was fed a conventional diet and the experimental group was additionally supplemented with a probiotic preparation of Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415. The animals were divided into four age groups. Two samples of five animals of each feeding and age group were taken and mounted into conventional Ussing chambers. Glucose transport rates were measured by changes in short-circuit current (Isc) of the pig jejunum epithelium. The appropriate reference base for evaluation of effects of feeding or age on Isc is the variation between animals which are submitted to identical conditions relating to these factors. To refer explicitly to this variation a random animal effect has to be included in the statistical model of variance analysis. Otherwise the variation between animals could be underestimated. With the example data set conclusions for the factor "feeding" would be different depending on whether a random animal effect is included in the model or not.     

Immune responses in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss induced by a potential probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus JCM 1136

This study was undertaken to examine the effect of supplementing a suggested probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus JCM 1136 in feed on immune response and gut flora composition of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. The probiotic bacteria were incorporated into a commercial feed to constitute two experimental diets containing either 10(9) or 10(11) colony forming unit of live bacteria/g of feed while a third diet without the bacterial supplement served as the control diet. The diets were offered to rainbow trout (75g average weight) in triplicate tanks for 30 days. Fish were sampled at 10, 20 and 30 days after commencement of the feeding trial to determine the proportion of the given probiont in the gut microflora composition and the nonspecific humoral and cellular immune responses on the 30th day. The relative proportion of the probiont increased with the feeding duration in the intestine, but not in the stomach. The proportion of L. rhamnosus in the stomach corresponded to the intake levels while no such relation existed in the intestine. The serum lysozyme and complement activities were significantly greater in fish fed the higher level of probiont compared with the control fish. The phagocytic activity of head kidney leucocytes also showed similar tendencies. These observations indicate the potential immuno-regulatory role of probiotic organisms in rainbow trout.     

Interaction between probiotic lactic acid bacteria and canine enteric pathogens: a risk factor for intestinal Enterococcus faecium colonization?

Selected probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been shown to elicit positive health effects particularly in humans. Competitive exclusion of pathogens is one of the most important beneficial health claims of probiotic bacteria. The effect of probiotic LAB on competitive exclusion of pathogens has been demonstrated in humans, chicken and pigs. In this study we evaluated the ability of certain LAB strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12, Lactobacillus pentosus UK1A, L. pentosus SK2A, Enterococcus faecium M74 and E. faecium SF273) to inhibit the adhesion of selected canine and zoonotic pathogens (Staphylococcus intermedius, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028, Clostridium perfringens and Campylobacter jejuni) to immobilised mucus isolated from canine jejunal chyme in vitro. Adhesion of C. perfringens was reduced significantly by all tested LAB strains, between 53.7 and 79.1% of the control without LAB, the LAB of canine origin yielding the best reduction. The adhesion of S. Typhimurium and S. intermedius were not significantly altered by any of the LAB included in the study. Both enterococci tested significantly enhanced the adhesion of C. jejuni, to 134.6 and 205.5% of the control without LAB. E. faecium may thus favor the adhesion and colonization of C. jejuni in the dog's intestine, making it a potential carrier and possibly a source for human infection. Enhanced C. jejuni adhesion is a new potential risk factor of enterococci. Our results further emphasize the importance of safety guidelines to be established for the probiotics intended for animal use.     

多菌种混合发酵棉籽饼粕制备益生菌生物活性饲料

以棉籽饼粕、麸皮、苹果渣为原料,经霉菌XH001、霉菌XH002、地衣芽孢杆菌E01、枯草芽孢杆菌E02、乳酸菌SR01、酿酒酵母和饲料酵母混合发酵生产益生菌饲料。最佳工艺条件为:发酵温度32℃,原料含水量50%,芽孢杆菌接入时间为发酵后12 h,乳酸菌接种量10%,发酵时间48 h。发酵后饲料粗蛋白含量由原来的27.58%提高到37.92%,氨基酸态氮含量达到1.88%,乳酸菌活菌数达2.3亿cfu/g(干基),芽孢杆菌达18.4亿cfu/g(干基)。     

Effect of a preparation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on microbial profiles and fermentation patterns in the large intestine of horses fed a high fiber or a high starch diet

Eight horses were allotted into pairs consisting of one cecum- and right ventral colon-fistulated animal and one cecum-fistulated animal. They were fed daily at the same level of intake either a high-fiber (HF) or a high-starch (HS) diet without or with 10 g of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae preparation, in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. The HS diet provided a starch overload (i.e., 3.4 g starch x kg(-1) BW x meal(-1)) while maintaining a high amount of fiber intake (i.e., dietary NDF/starch ratio was 1.0). A 21-d period of adaptation to the treatments occurred before cecal and colonic contents were withdrawn 4 h after the morning meal to count total anaerobic, cellulolytic, and lactic acid-utilizing bacteria, lactobacilli, and streptococci. Lactic acid, volatile fatty acids, ammonia concentrations, and pH were measured on cecal and colonic fluid samples collected hourly during the first 12-h postfeeding. When the HS diet was fed, the concentration of total anaerobic and lactic acid-utilizing bacteria increased (P < 0.001), whereas that of cellulolytic bacteria decreased (P < 0.05) in the cecum. The concentration of lactobacilli and streptococci increased (P < 0.001) in the cecal and colonic contents. These alterations of the microbial profiles were associated with decreases (P < 0.001) of pH, (acetate + butyrate)/propionate ratio and with an increase (P < 0.001) of lactic acid concentration. Supplementing the S. cerevisiae preparation increased (P < 0.01) the concentration of viable yeast cells, averaging 4.3 x 10(6) and 4.5 x 10(4) cfu/mL in the cecal and colonic contents, respectively. Yeast supplementation had almost no effect on microbial counts in the cecum and colon. The supplementation of S. cerevisiae appeared to modify (P < 0.05) pH, concentrations of lactic acid and ammonia, molar percentages of acetate and butyrate with the HS diet and [(acetate + butyrate)/propionate] ratio when the HF diet was fed. The effects of the S. cerevisiae preparation were greater in the cecum than in the colon, which coincided with the abundance of yeast cells. When the digestion of starch in the small intestine was saturated, the effect of the addition of a S. cerevisiae preparation appeared to limit the extent of undesirable changes in the intestinal ecosystem of the horse.     

Fermented and nonfermented liquid feed to growing pigs: effect on aspects of gastrointestinal ecology and growth performance

The effect of feeding dry feed (DF), nonfermented liquid feed (NFLF), and fermented liquid feed (FLF) to growing pigs on aspects of gastrointestinal ecology and on performance was investigated. Nonfermented liquid feed was prepared by mixing feed and water at a ratio of 1:2.5 immediately before feeding. Fermented liquid feed was prepared by mixing feed and water in the same ratio as NFLF, and stored in a tank at 20 degrees C for 4 d, after which half the volume was removed twice daily at each feeding and replaced with the same volume of feed and water mixture. A total of 60 pigs (initial BW of 30.7 kg) from 20 litters was used. Twenty pigs, housed individually, were allotted to each of the diets and fed restrictively. Five pigs from each diet were sacrificed at an average BW of 112 kg and digesta from the gastrointestinal tract (GI-tract) was obtained to examine variables describing some aspects of the gastrointestinal ecology. Fermented liquid feed contained high levels of lactic acid bacteria (9.4 log cfu/g) and lactic acid (approximately 169 mmol/kg), low levels of enterobacteria (<3.2 log cfu/g), and had a low pH (4.4). Nonfermented liquid feed contained 7.2 log cfu/g of lactic acid bacteria, and 6.2 log cfu/g of enterobacteria, which indicated that fermentation had started in the feed. The pigs fed FLF had the lowest levels of enterobacteria along the GI-tract (<3.2 to 5.0 log cfu/g), and those fed NFLF the highest levels (5.7 to 6.6 log cfu/g; P < or = 0.02). Fermented liquid feed caused a decrease in gastric pH from 4.4 and 4.6 for DF and NLF, to 4.0 (P = 0.003), and increased numerically the gastric concentration of lactic acid (P = 0.17) from 50 to 60 mmol/kg in the DF and NFLF treatments to 113 mmol/kg in the FLF treatment. The animals fed NFLF showed the highest weight gain (995 g/d) and feed intake (2.14 kg/d), and those fed FLF the lowest values (weight gain, 931 g/d; feed intake, 1.96 kg/d; P = 0.003 for weight gain, and P < 0.001 for feed intake). The results from the present study indicate that feeding FLF as prepared here may be a valid feeding strategy to decrease the levels of enterobacteria in the GI-tract of growing pigs, whereas feeding liquid feed that has started to ferment (high levels of enterobacteria and high pH as with NFLF) increases the presence of these undesirable bacteria. Nonetheless, higher daily feed intake and body weight gain are obtained when feeding NFLF compared with feeding FLF or DF.     

The efficacy of lactic acid bacteria Pediococcus acidilactici, lactose and formic acid as dietary supplements for turkeys

A feeding trial was performed on 1400 Big-6 turkey toms divided into experimental groups subject to the use of dietary supplements. The ain of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the probiotic supplement Bactocell, containing lactic acid bacteria Pediococcus acidilactici, and lactose, administered to turkeys separately or in combination, as well as a formic acid supplement. The addition of the probiotic under test (lactic acid bacteria Pediococcus acidilactici) to diets for turkeys contributed to higher daily gains and lower feed consumption per kg weigh gain only during the first 12 weeks of their life. Diet supplementation with lactic acid bacteria and lactose reduced mortality rates. A slaughter value analysis revealed only a slightly (by approximately 1%) higher content of breast muscle and a lower content of thigh muscle in birds fed diets supplemented with lactic acid bacteria. Turkeys receiving lactic acid bacteria or lactose and a combination of both these supplements were characterized by a higher fat content of meat and slightly lower pH values, whereas meat from turkeys fed lactose-supplemented diets was darker in color. The addition of formic acid Acidum formicum to diets for turkeys contributed only to lower mortality rates.     

Lactic acid bacteria for mink. Colonization and persistence of Enterococcus faecium Cernelle 68 in the digestive tract of mink.

A method was developed to follow a lactic acid bacterial strain, Enterococcus faecium Cernelle 68, with respect to adhesion, multiplication, colonization, and persistence in the digestive tract of mink. Also the spread of the strain in the cage was examined. When adding 5 x 10(9) c.f.u. of a rifampicin resistant mutant per kg feed, high viable counts were registered throughout the digestive tract, apart from the oesophagus. Counts were increasing in the aboral direction, suggesting some multiplication in the intestine. It was possible to detect the strain in the intestinal tract 4 days after discontinuation of administration. Neither culture nor scanning electron microscopy gave evidence to suggest that E. faecium Cernelle 68 adhered to the mucosa. The spread of the E. faecium strain was observed in the environment. Counts of E. coli, lactobacilli, staphylococci, and clostridia were low, and none of these bacteria were constant findings.     

Selection of enterococci for potential canine probiotic additives

Enterococci are important inhabitants of animal intestine and are widely used in probiotic products. A potentially successful probiotic strain is expected to have several desirable properties in order to be able to exert its beneficial effects. Forty enterococcal isolates from dog faeces were tested for characters believed to be important for probiotic strains; bacteriocin production, resistance or tolerance to antibiotics, low pH, bile tolerance and adhesive activity. The total count of enterococci was found to be 3.3-7.3log(10)CFU/g of faeces. Most identified strains were Enterococcus faecium. All strains were sensitive to vancomycin, ampicillin, penicillin and chloramphenicol. Thirty-three percentage of strains were resistant to erythromycin and 28% to tetracycline. Among 40 isolates, 75% showed a broad inhibitory spectrum only against Gram-positive indicator bacteria. Seven strains with broad bacteriocin activity were selected for further assays. In the presence of 1% bile, the survival rate of selected strains ranged between 72 and 98%. Survival of strains at pH 3.0 was found in the range between 76 and 87% after 3h. The adhesion of the tested strains to intestinal mucus ranged from 4 to 11% for canine mucus and from 5 to 8% for human mucus. E. faecalis EE4 and E. faecium EF01 showed the best probiotic properties. It indicates that they could be used as new candidate probiotic strains after in vivo testing.     

Effect of a synbiotic on the intestinal microflora of chickens

The current experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of a synbiotic (Biomin Imbo) on intestinal microflora of Ross broiler chickens. A total of 200 male chickens were randomly divided into 20 groups of 10 birds each, kept in 20 pens (1.5 × 1 m each), and fed for 42 d at different synbiotic levels. Treatments included (1) a basal diet without synbiotics (control), (2) a basal diet with synbiotic levels proposed by the manufacturer, (3) a basal diet with synbiotic levels 25% lower than those proposed by the manufacturer, (4) a basal diet with synbiotic levels 50% higher than those proposed by the manufacturer, and (5) a basal diet with synbiotic levels 25% higher than those proposed by the manufacturer. At the end of the 42-d feeding period, 1 bird was randomly selected from each experimental unit, humanely euthanized, and the cecum was removed to measure the microbial population. The cecal contents were collected in discharge containers for microbial cultures, and counts were conducted after microbial culture. The addition of the synbiotic reduced Escherichia coli and total coliform populations in the intestines of broiler chickens. Conversely, different levels of probiotic increased the numbers of lactobacilli in the intestine of broiler chickens. Concentrations of the synbiotic higher than the recommended levels in the diet increased the lactic acid bacteria population in the gut of broiler chickens.     

Major microbiota of lactic acid bacteria from Matsoni, a traditional Georgian fermented milk

A total of 26 samples of Matsoni were collected in Georgia. From these samples 80 strains of lactic acid cocci and 173 strains of lactobacilli were isolated. The number of lactic acid bacteria varied between 10⁵ and 10¹⁰ colony forming unit (CFU)/mL. All the isolated lactic acid bacteria were thermophilic bacteria that could grow at 45°C. The predominant lactic acid bacteria were Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii spp. bulgaricus in 25 samples of Matsoni, while Lactobacillus helveticus was also a predominant species, together with the two previous species in one sample of Matsoni. We showed there was diversity in both S. thermophilus and L. delbrueckii spp. bulgaricus at the strain level by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis.     

Effects of microbial supplements containing yeast and lactobacilli on roughage-fed ruminal microbial activities

Effects of two microbial feed supplements on microbial activities in rumen-stimulating cultures and the rumens of steers fed a fescue hay-based roughage diet were evaluated. The yeast culture supplement contained Saccharomyces cerevisiae (1.4 to 4.2 x 10(9) colony-forming units [cfu]/g), whereas the mixed microbial supplement contained yeast, lactobacilli and enterococci (1.4 to 2.7 x 10(9) cfu/g, 1.2 to 2.3 x 10(9) cfu/g, and 1.5 to 2.6 x 10(10) cfu/g, respectively). Concentrations of viable yeast cells were increased consistently in continuous cultures and rumens of steers receiving either supplement (1 g/kg of feed). However, neither supplement consistently altered the relative concentrations of volatile fatty acids or ammonia in continuous cultures and rumens of steers. The pH tended to be greater (P = .13) in continuous cultures receiving yeast culture supplement than in cultures receiving the unsupplemented diet (6.50 vs 6.36), but pH in the rumens of steers was not affected by the supplements. Concentrations of cellulolytic microorganisms in cultures and the rumens of steers receiving supplements containing only yeast were from 5 to 40 times greater than those observed in cultures or steers receiving the unsupplemented diet. Supplements that had been treated with heat (121 degrees C for 15 min) to inactive yeast cells did not alter the concentrations of cellulolytic bacteria in rumen-stimulating cultures. These results suggest that live yeast culture supplements stimulate growth of cellulolytic microorganisms in the rumen.     

Assessment of dietary supplementation with probiotics on performance, intestinal morphology and microflora of chickens infected with Eimeria tenella

We evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with different preparations of probiotics on the performance of broiler chickens experimentally infected with 2 × 10(4) sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella at 14 days of age. Three hundred, day-old, Cobb-500 chicks, as hatched, were separated into 10 equal groups with three replicates. Two of the groups, one challenged with E. tenella oocysts and the other not, were given a basal diet and served as controls without medication. The other challenged groups were given the anticoccidial lasalocid (60 mg/kg) or Enterococcus faecium (5 × 10(8) or 5 × 10(9)cfu/kg feed), Bifidobacterium animalis (5 × 10(8)cfu/kg feed), Lactobacillus reuteri (5 × 10(8)cfu/kg feed), Bacillus subtilis (5 × 10(8)cfu/kg feed), or a multi-species probiotic mix at 5 × 10(8) or 5 × 10(9)cfu/kg feed, respectively. The trial lasted 6 weeks. Individual body weight, feed intake per pen and feed conversion ratio values were recorded weekly, along with the extent of bloody diarrhea, excreta oocyst numbers and bird mortality. Caecal lesions were assessed and intestinal samples were taken for histopathological and bacteriological evaluation from ileum and caecum. Overall growth performance of chickens fed the multi-species probiotic mix at both levels was higher (P<0.05) compared to the infected control. Overall oocyst shedding was lowest (P<0.05) in the lasalocid supplemented group. Villous height was higher (P<0.05) in Bacillus supplemented groups compared to infected controls. The Lactobacillus supplemented group had the highest (P<0.05) numbers of both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in ileum and caecum. In conclusion, dietary probiotics are promising for further investigation on improving intestinal health and growth performance of broiler chickens experimentally challenged with E. tenella.     

A third-generation esterase inoculant alters fermentation pattern and improves aerobic stability of barley silage and the efficiency of body weight gain of growing feedlot cattle

This study investigated the effects of a mixed bacterial inoculant possessing ferulic acid esterase (FAE) activity on silage fermentation characteristics, aerobic stability, and growth performance of growing feedlot steers. Whole-crop barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) forage (35% DM) was chopped and ensiled without a silage inoculant (UN) or with a mixed bacterial culture containing 1.0 × 10(11) cfu/g of Lactobacillus buchneri LN4017 that produces FAE, 2.0 × 10(10) cfu/g of Lactobacillus plantarum LP7109, and 1.0 × 10(10) cfu/g of Lactobacillus casei LC3200 at a combined rate of 1.3 × 10(5) cfu/g of fresh forage (IN) in mini and Ag-Bag (Ag-Bag Int. Ltd., Warrenton, OR) silos. Silages from the mini silos were assessed for the effect of inoculation on fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability, whereas silages from Ag-Bags were used to formulate 2 barley silage-based total mixed rations (UN and IN) that were fed to growing feedlot steers for 112 d. The IN silage exhibited a homolactic fermentation during the first 7 d of ensiling as reflected by an increased (P ≤ 0.02) lactic acid concentration and an accelerated rate (P < 0.01) of pH decline. Thereafter, fermentation of IN silage became more heterolactic, resulting in greater concentrations of acetic acid (P < 0.01) and pH (P < 0.01) but less (P < 0.01) lactic acid than UN silage. Inoculation did not affect DM losses (P = 0.52) from mini silos. The IN silage remained stable during 21 d, but temperature and yeasts counts in the UN silage increased after 5 d of aerobic exposure. Growing steers fed the IN silage diet had superior (P = 0.03) feed conversion efficiency compared with those fed UN silage. Inoculation of whole-crop barley silage with a mixed culture of homolactic lactic acid-producing bacteria and FAE-producing L. buchneri at ensiling changed fermentation from a homolactic to a heterolactic form during ensiling and improved aerobic stability of the silage and efficiency of BW gain of growing feedlot steers.     

Evaluation of an intestinal Lactobacillus reuteri strain expressing rumen fungal xylanase as a probiotic for broiler chickens fed on a wheat-based diet

1. This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using a transformed Lactobacillus reuteri Pg4 strain harbouring a rumen fungal xylanase gene as a probiotic supplement in a wheat-based poultry diet. 2. A total of 400 broiler chicks was allocated to two treatment groups with or without supplementation with 10(6) colony forming units (cfu)/g of transformed L. reuteri Pg4 in a wheat-based regimen to investigate the performance, intestinal microflora populations, digesta viscosity and excreta ammonia concentrations in these broiler chickens. 3. Supplementation of the wheat-based diet with transformed L. reuteri Pg4 decreased intestinal viscosity, caecal coliform population, and increased body weight gain and ileal villus height and crypt depth from 0 to 21 d of age. It also decreased excreta ammonia concentrations, and increased the caecal total volatile fatty acid (VFA) and lactic acid concentrations from 0 to 21 d and 22 to 37 d of age. 4. Further, it was demonstrated that 40% of the Lactobacillus cells randomly isolated from the digesta of the ileum and caecum of the supplemented group possessed xylanase secretion capability. 5. It appears reasonable to assume, therefore, that the derived benefit is a result of the organism surviving, and the associated performance of some function in the intestinal tract which benefits gut health.     

Adhesion Properties of Enterococci to Intestinal Mucus of Different Hosts

The adhesive capacity of selected enterococci to human, canine and porcine intestinal mucus was investigated in order to select for potential probiotic strains with good adhesive properties for human or animal use. The adhesion to the human intestinal mucus of the tested strains was found to range from log10 3.8 to log10 8.6 cfu per microtitre plate well. The highest adhesion to the human intestinal mucus was found among strains from horse faeces, dog faeces and dog feed. The adhesion to canine mucus was observed to range from log10 3.8 to log10 8.3 cfu/well, with the highest adhesive capacity among strains from dog faeces, horse faeces and dog's feed; on average log10 7.9, 7.3 and 7.0 cfu/well, respectively. Isolates from dogs did not bind at higher levels to canine mucus than to human mucus. A strong correlation was observed for the adhesion to human and canine intestinal mucus (p < 0.0001) and also between porcine and canine or human mucus (p < 0.05 for both). When comparing the adhesion of Enterococcus faecium and E. faecalis, no statistical significant differences were observed for any of the tested mucus types. The tested Enterococcus strains were found to exhibit a strain dependent on in vitro adhesion to human, canine and porcine intestinal mucus and did not exhibit host specificity in their adhesion, though some sources appeared to contain more adhesive strains than others. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the in vivo adhesion to intestinal mucus of a large number of enterococci from different sources.     

菌酶协同对里岔黑猪断奶仔猪生长性能、血清免疫指标和肠道菌群的影响

[目的]研究菌酶协同饲喂模式对里岔黑猪断奶仔猪生长性能、血清免疫指标和肠道菌群的影响。[方法]选取80头28日龄体重为（6.72±0.12）kg的健康里岔黑猪断奶仔猪,随机分为对照组（基础日粮）、益生菌组（1‰的益生菌）、酶制剂组（1‰的酶制剂）、菌酶协同组（1‰的益生菌+1‰的酶制剂）。试验期为35 d,预饲期为7 d,正饲期为28 d。计算各组平均日增重、平均日采食量、料重比、腹泻指数,测定血清IgM及IgG含量,通过16S rDNA高通量测序分析肠道菌群组成及相对丰度。[结果]与对照组相比,益生菌组、酶制剂组、菌酶协同组平均日采食量显著（P<0.05）提高;酶制剂组、菌酶协同组平均日增重显著（P<0.05）提高,料重比显著（P<0.05）降低;益生菌组和菌酶协同组腹泻指数极显著（P<0.01）降低。益生菌组、酶制剂组、菌酶协同组血清IgG、IgM含量显著（P<0.05）高于对照组。益生菌组、酶制剂组、菌酶协同组肠道菌群Chao1指数显著（P<0.05）高于对照组;门水平上,益生菌组、菌酶协同组拟杆菌门相对丰度显著（P<0.05）高于对照组。[结论]菌酶协同饲喂模式可以提高里岔黑猪断奶仔猪平均日采食量和平均日增重,降低腹泻指数,具有提高断奶仔猪免疫力、改善肠道菌群结构的作用。