Effects of oral supplementation of probiotic strains of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Enterococcus faecium on diarrhoea events of foals in their first weeks of life

Foal first diarrhoea is one of the most prominent problems in the early life of horses. Probiotics might have the potency to prevent or at least diminish neonatal diarrhoea. We hypothesised that the treatment of foals with probiotic strains of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Enterococcus faecium starting early after birth and then daily over 2 weeks would prevent or mitigate foal heat diarrhoea. The influence of this probiotic treatment on diarrhoea incidence and growth and health performance of young foals was investigated. Thirty‐four foals were randomly allocated to two groups. From day 1 to 14 of life, the foals received either placebo (PG, n = 16) or the probiotic treatment (TG, n = 18). Clinical examination was performed, and the faeces consistency score (FCS, 1–5; with diarrhoea defined by ≤3) was recorded once per day in weeks 1 and 2 and once weekly in weeks 3–8 of life (WL). The body height was measured at birth and after two and eight WL. Diarrhoea occurred in the 1st WL in 19% and 61% of PG and TG foals respectively. In the 1st WL, diarrhoea lasted 0.3 ± 0.8 and 1.6 ± 1.4 days in PG and TG foals respectively. In the 2nd WL, diarrhoea occurred in 94% and 84% of PG and TG foals, respectively, and lasted for 3.0 ± 1.5 and 3.7 ± 1.6 days respectively. At least two periods of diarrhoea developed in 33% and 65% of PG and TG foals respectively. The TG foals grew slightly slower than the PG foals. The results indicated that the probiotic treatment of neonatal foals as performed in this study was not suitable to reduce diarrhoea within the first two WL, because contrary to the hypothesis, the TG foals suffered more frequently and for longer periods from diarrhoea than the PG foals.     

Evaluating two multistrain probiotics on growth performance,intestinal morphology,lipid oxidation and ileal microflora in chickens

An experiment was conducted to investigate the supplementation of two commercially available multistrain probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics on growth performance, intestinal morphology, lipid oxidation and ileal microflora in broiler chickens. A total of 280‐day‐old ROSS 308 mixed‐sex broiler chickens with an average initial body weight of 42 ± 0.5 g were randomly divided into four treatments with five replicate cages of 14 birds each cage in a completely randomized design and fed with the following diets for 42 day: (a) control (CON) (antibiotic‐free diet), (b) antibiotic (ANT) (CON + Avilamycin 150 g/ton feed), (c) probiotic A (CON + Protexin^® 150 g/ton feed) and (d) probiotic B (CON + Bio‐Poul^® 200 g/ton feed). The results showed the broilers fed the ANT diet had greater average daily gain than broilers fed the CON diet during day 1–14 (p < 0.05). At day 42, two birds were randomly selected per replicate for evaluation intestinal morphology, lipid oxidation and ileal microflora. birds fed diet supplemented with probiotic A and probiotic B increased villus height and goblet cells numbers in the jejunum and villus height to crypt depth ratio and villus height in the ileum as compared to birds fed CON diet (p < 0.05). The malondialdehyde value was reduced (p < 0.05) in the ANT, probiotic B and probiotic A groups compared with the CON group. The Lactobacillus population was increased and Clostridium spp. population decreased in the ileum of broilers fed diets containing the probiotic B and probiotic A compared with those fed CON diet (p < 0.05). The results from this study indicate that the probiotic A (Protexin^®) and probiotic B (Bio‐Poul^®) used in this trial may serve as alternatives to ANT.     

In vitro effects of inulin and soya bean oligosaccharide on skatole production and the intestinal microbiota in broilers

The experiment was conducted to investigate the in vitro effects of inulin and soya bean oligosaccharide (SBO) on the metabolism of L‐tryptophan (L‐try) to skatole production, and the intestinal microbiota in broilers. Treatments were as follows: caecal microbiota control (Cc), Cc + inulin, Cc + SBO, rectal microbiota control (Rc), Rc + inulin and Rc + SBO. Microbial suspensions were anaerobically incubated at 38°C for 24 hr. The results showed that concentrations of skatole and acetic acid were significantly lower in caecal microbiota fermentation broth (MFB) than those in rectal MFB (p < .05). Addition of inulin or SBO significantly decreased the concentrations of indole and skatole and rate of L‐try degradation (p < .05). Inulin groups had lower indole than SBO groups (p < .05). PCR‐DGGE analysis revealed that addition of inulin or SBO decreased the microbiota richness (p < .05), but no significant differences in Shannon index (p > .05). Four distinct bands were detected in inulin and SBO groups, which were related to two of Bacteroides, one of Firmicutes and Bifidobacteria. Six bands were detected only in control groups, which represented uncultured Rikenellaceae, Roseburia, Escherichia/Shigella dysenteriae, Bacteroides uniformis (T), Parabacteroides distasonis and Enterobacter aerogenes. Populations of Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria and total bacteria in inulin groups were higher than those in control groups (p < .05). For SBO groups, only population of total bacteria increased (p < .05). However, there were no significant differences in Escherichia coli population among treatments (p > .05). These results suggest that reduced concentrations of skatole and indole in the presence of inulin and SBO may be caused by decrease in L‐try degradation rate, which were caused by change in microbial ecosystem and pH value. Uncultured B. uniformis (T) and E. aerogenes may be responsible for degradation of L‐try to skatole.     

Lactobacillus plantarum BS22 promotes gut microbial homeostasis in broiler chickens exposed to aflatoxin B1

Probiotics promote the health of the host by maintaining intestinal microbial homeostasis. This study aimed to investigate the benefits of Lactobacillus plantarum BS22 (LP) in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbial homeostasis of broiler chickens exposed to aflatoxin B₁ using the PCR‐DGGE, viable count and real‐time PCR. The toxin adsorption experiment demonstrated that treatment R5 (1.0 × 10⁸ CFU/g LP) exhibited good absorptive effect in adsorbing the aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) in vitro. DGGE showed that the composition and structure of gut microbiota were more similar in the mucosa than in the content of all the samples. In addition, higher diversity of the microbiota was observed in the caecum and glandular stomach than in other segments. Lactobacillus, Enterococcus and Enterobacteriaceae were more abundant in the ileum than in the other segments. Enterobacteriaceae in groups I (basal diet) and II (basal diet+50 μg/kg AFB₁) showed a significant difference in group III (basal diet + 50 μg/kg AFB₁ + 1 × 10⁸ CFU/g LP) in the crop content and duodenum mucosa (p < .05). This investigation indicates that the L. plantarum BS22 promotes GIT microbial homeostasis in broiler chickens exposed to AFB₁, particularly for the intestine mucosa microbiota. Thus, L. plantarum BS22 is a possible candidate for degrading AFB_1.     

Effect of probiotic supplementation on growth performance,intestinal morphology,barrier integrity,and inflammatory response in broilers subjected to cyclic heat stress

This study investigated the protective effects of probiotic on heat stress‐induced intestinal injury and inflammatory response in broilers. A total of 180 male broilers were randomly allocated to three treatments with four replicates each from 22 to 42 days of age. The broilers were either raised under thermoneutral (TN) conditions (23 ± 1°C) or subjected to cyclic heat stress (28–35–28°C for 12 hr daily). The broilers kept at TN conditions were fed a basal diet, and those exposed to heat stress were fed basal diets supplemented with or without probiotic at a dose of 1.5 × 10⁸ cfu/kg. Compared with the TN group, heat stress decreased (p < .05) the growth performance, reduced (p < .05) villus height and villus height: crypt depth ratio in intestinal mucosa, increased (p < .05) serum levels of D‐lactic acid on day 28 and endotoxin, TNF‐α and IL‐6 on day 42, and decreased (p < .05) serum IL‐10 content on day 42. Dietary supplementation of probiotic reversed (p < .05) all these changes except for the growth performance in heat‐stressed broilers. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of probiotic could improve intestinal morphology and barrier function, alleviate inflammatory response, but exert no ameliorative effect on growth performance of broilers under cyclic heat stress.     

Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 supplementation improves the meat quality and antioxidant capacity of muscle of broilers

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) on the meat quality and antioxidant capacity of muscle in broilers. A total of 600 Arbor Acre broiler chickens (1‐day‐old, male) were randomly divided into five treatments with six replicates (20 chickens per replicate) for each treatment. The five treatments were the control treatment (CON, basal diet), antibiotic treatment (ANT, basal diet supplemented with 0.1% chlortetracycline) and E. faecium‐supplemented treatments (LEF, MEF and HEF, basal diet supplemented with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of E. faecium respectively). The experiment lasted 42 days in two periods of 21 days. Results showed that there were no differences in breast meat quality among different treatments (p > 0.05). Compared with the CON and ANT treatments, the yellowness of thigh meat in E. faecium‐supplemented treatments was significantly increased (p < 0.05); the shear force of thigh meat in the LEF and MEF treatments was lower than that of the CON treatment (p < 0.05). In addition, the concentration of the inosine monophosphate (IMP) in the breast and thigh meat of the MEF treatment was significantly higher than that of the other treatments (p < 0.05). At 21 days, the total antioxidant capability (T‐AOC) level and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity of breast meat and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the thigh meat of the MEF treatment were greatly increased (p < 0.05). At 42 days of age, the catalase (CAT), GSH‐Px and T‐AOC activities in the breast meat of the MEF treatment were increased (p < 0.05) and the CAT activity of thigh meat in the LEF and MEF treatments was increased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, E. faecium supplementation increased the meat quality of the thigh muscle, increased the IMP content and the activities of CAT, SOD, T‐AOC, and GSH‐Px of muscle in broilers. Supplementation with 100 mg/kg E. faecium had the greatest effects.     

Influences of quorum‐quenching probiotic bacteria on the gut microbial community and immune function in weaning pigs

The aim of this study is to investigate the dynamic gut microbial diversity in weaning swine after administering feed supplemented with probiotic bacteria that specifically inhibit the activity of quorum molecules. Initially, the universal quorum molecule autoinducer‐2 (AI‐2) bioassay results indicated that AI‐2 activity was profoundly inhibited in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 in the presence of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain 30SC cell extract, although the growth of EHEC was not affected. Based on plate counting results, bacterial community analysis revealed a specific reduction in coliforms compared to the control, whereas the population of lactobacilli increased in weaning swine in in vivo trials. Supplementation with L. acidophilus strain 30SC did not affect the counts of other communities, such as total aerobes and yeast/mold. In addition, PCR‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis showed a significant difference in the 16S rRNA gene products after administering L. acidophilus strain 30SC. Selected bands were sequenced, and most of them were identified as uncultured bacterium clones or a Lactobacillus‐ and Bifidobacterium‐specific community. Therefore, our results indicate that quorum‐quenching probiotic bacteria can significantly modulate the gut microbiota of swine and these beneficial effects can contribute to the improvement of performance and health in the gastrointestinal tract of weaning pigs.     

Dietary effects of commercial probiotics on growth performance,digestibility, and intestinal morphometry of broiler chickens

This study compared five commercially available probiotics vis-à-vis antibiotic growth promotant (AGP) supplementation and absence of feed additive based on efficiency, intestinal morphometry, and energy digestibility in improving broiler chicken production. A total of 630 straight run (Cobb) day-old broiler chicks were distributed to seven treatments following a completely randomized design, with ten replicates per treatment and nine birds per replicate per cage. Dietary treatments consisted of basal diet in combination with the following: without probiotics and AGP supplementation (treatment 1); 75 ppm each of chlorotetracycline (CTC) and Zn bacitracin (treatment 2); probiotic A, Bacillus subtilis (treatment 3); probiotic B, Bacillus subtilis (treatment 4); probiotic C, Enterococcus faecium (treatment 5); and probiotic D, Bacillus subtilis (treatment 6); probiotic E, Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium spp., Pediococcus spp., and Lactobacillus spp. (treatment 7). At day 42, energy digestibility was determined by fasting three randomly selected birds from each treatment for 12 h and then subjecting them to their corresponding dietary treatments. Excreta were collected and pooled after 24 h of feeding. Pooled excreta were weighed, oven-dried, and subjected to energy analyses after 3-day collection. Apparent total tract metabolizable energy was then computed. At day 47, three birds were randomly selected per treatment for intestinal morphometry (villi height and crypt depth) of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Dietary supplementation using probiotics showed no significant effect on overall body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, dressing percentage, mortality, harvest recovery, carcass quality parameters (e.g., meat to bone ratio and abdominal fat content), intestinal morphometry, and energy digestibility. Birds under treatment 7 (basal feed + probiotic E) generated the highest income over feed and chick cost.

     

Performance and intestinal microbiota of chickens receiving probiotic in the feed and submitted to antibiotic therapy

The purpose of this study was to verify the ability of a probiotic in the feed to maintain the stability of the gut microbiota in chickens after antibiotic therapy and its association with growth performance. One thousand six hundred twenty 1‐day‐old Cobb male were housed in floor pens (36 pens, 45 birds/pen) and were fed corn‐/soya bean meal‐based diets supplemented with or without probiotic (Bacillus subtilis) during the entire rearing phase. From 21 to 24 days of age (three consecutive days), the chickens were submitted to antibiotic therapy via drinking water (bacitracin and neomycin) in order to mimic a field treatment and induce dysbiosis. Growth performance was monitored until 42 days of age. At 2, 4 and 6 days after antibiotic therapy, three chickens from each pen were euthanized and the contents of the small intestine and caeca were collected and pooled. The trial was conducted with four treatments and nine replicates in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement for performance characteristics (with and without probiotic × with and without antibiotic therapy); for the intestinal microbiota, it was in a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (with and without probiotic × with and without antibiotic therapy × 2, 4 and 6 days after the antibiotic therapy) with three replicates per treatment. Terminal restriction length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) analysis showed that the structure of gut bacterial community was shaped by the intestinal segment and by the time after the antibiotic therapy. The number of 16S rDNAs copies in caecum contents decreased with time after the therapeutic treatment. The antibiotic therapy and dietary probiotic supplementation decreased richness and diversity indexes in the caecal contents. The improved performance observed in birds supplemented with probiotic may be related to changes promoted by the feed additive in the structure of the intestinal bacterial communities and phylogenetic groups. Antibiotic therapy modified the bacterial structure, but did not cause loss of broiler performance.     

Spatial variations in intestinal skatole production and microbial composition in broilers

Spatial variations in intestinal skatole production and microbial composition in broilers were evaluated. Fifteen 42‐day‐old broilers were slaughtered. Samples were taken from the broilers’ ileum, cecum, and rectum and analyzed for skatole levels. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) technique was used to analyze the microbial community from the intestinal digesta. The skatole levels could be arranged in decreasing order: cecum > rectum > ileum. Cecal lactate and acetate levels were higher than those of ileum and rectum (p < 0.01). Cecal microbial diversity and richness were higher than those of ileum (p < 0.05). One specific DGGE band was found in cecal sample and is closely related to Bacteroides uniformis. Cecum and rectum samples consisted of three coexistence bands, the related bacteria included Lactobacillus vaginalis and two members of Candidatus Arthromitus. The total bacterial population in cecum was higher than that in ileum and rectum (p < 0.05). Skatole levels were positively correlated with microbial Shannon‐Wiener index, richness, total bacteria (p < 0.01) and Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium (p < 0.05) populations. These results suggest that the variations in fermentation patterns are more likely to explain differences in intestinal skatole level. Bacteroides uniformis may play a role in the production of skatole.     

Influence of Gonadotrophin‐Induced First Oestrus on Gilt Fertility

The aim of this study was to determine the association between the oestrous response of pre‐pubertal gilts to gonadotrophin injection or boar exposure and their subsequent farrowing rate and litter size. At 154 days of age, randomly selected pre‐pubertal gilts received an intramuscular injection of 400 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin plus 200 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (PG600^®; Merck Animal Health; n = 181). From the remaining pool of animals not treated with hormones, the first gilts showing signs of oestrus were selected to act as controls (n = 201). Boar exposure began at 155 days of age for both groups, and gilts were bred at a weight of approximately 130 kg. Comparisons were made between PG600^®‐treated gilts exhibiting oestrus or not within 7 days post‐injection (early and late responders, respectively) and control gilts exhibiting oestrus or not within 30 days after beginning of boar exposure (select and non‐select control gilts, respectively). By 162 days, oestrus was detected in 67.5% of PG600^®‐treated gilts compared with 5.7% of control gilts (p < 0.0001). The proportion of animals observed in oestrus at least three times before breeding was greater for select control gilts compared with early and late responder PG600^®‐treated gilts (p ≤ 0.001). There were no significant differences in farrowing rate and litter size between the four treatment groups. These data indicate that PG600^® is an effective tool to induce an earlier oestrus in gilts, that subsequent farrowing rate and born alive litter size compare favourably to that of select gilts and that gilts failing to respond promptly to hormonal stimulation do not exhibit compromised fertility.     

Response of broiler chickens reared at high density to dietary supplementation with licorice extract and probiotic

This study evaluated the effects of licorice extract and probiotic on performance, excreta characteristics and welfare‐related parameters of broiler chickens reared in high stocking density. Three hundred and thirty‐six 1‐day old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates for 42 days. Treatments were as follows: (a) positive control (PC, 12 chicks/m²); (b) negative control (NC, 18 chicks/m²); (c) NC + 500 ppm licorice extract (LE); (d) NC + 200 ppm probiotic (P); (e) NC + ppm LE + ppm P. Body weight gain (BWG) was affected negatively by increased density in the growing period (p < 0.05). At high density, BWG was increased in the growing and whole period by adding LE and P separately and in combination (p < 0.01). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was not affected by stocking density. Excreta weight (g/bird) and dry matter (DM, %) were reduced by increasing density (p < 0.01). Use of feed additives at high stocking density had no significant effect on excreta weight, but DM content of excreta was higher in NC + LE + P than NC. Gait problems and footpad and hock burns were increased by increased stocking density, but were not altered by feed additives. In conclusion, licorice extract and probiotic improved BWG of broilers reared at high stocking density; however, these birds had some disorders in footpad, hock and walking ability.     

Efficacy of Mass Antimicrobial Treatment of Foals with Subclinical Pulmonary Abscesses Associated with Rhodococcus equi

Background

Mass antimicrobial treatment of foals with small subclinical ultrasonographic pulmonary lesions is empirical practice on many farms with endemic disease caused by Rhodococcus equi.

Hypothesis

Mass antimicrobial treatment of foals with subclinical ultrasonographic pulmonary lesions is unnecessary.

Animals

One hundred and eight foals on a farm endemic for infections caused by R. equi.

Methods

Controlled, randomized, and double‐blinded prospective study. Foals with ultrasonographic evidence of pulmonary abscesses 5.0–10 cm in diameter (n = 108) were randomly allocated in 5 treatment groups: (1) tulathromycin IM; (2) doxycycline monotherapy PO; (3) doxycycline with rifampin PO; (4) azithromycin with rifampin PO, and (5) saline IM as a placebo. Physical examination and thoracic ultrasonography were performed by individuals unaware of treatment group assignment. Foals with evidence of disease progression were removed from the study and treated with azithromycin‐rifampin.

Results

Overall, 22/25 (88%) foals in the placebo group recovered without the need for treatment. The proportion of foals that had evidence of disease progression did not differ significantly between the treatment groups (P > .05). Although the median duration of treatment was significantly (P < .05) shorter in foals treated with azithromycin‐rifampin (46 days) compared with foals treated with the placebo (73 days), the time frame of ultrasonographic lesion resolution did not differ significantly between the treatment groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The majority of foals with subclinical pulmonary abscesses <10 cm in diameter recover without antimicrobial treatment and treatment of affected foals does not provide a clear benefit over administration of a placebo.     

Effects of oxidative stress induced by high dosage of dietary iron ingested on intestinal damage and caecal microbiota in Chinese Yellow broilers

The objective of this trial was to test the effects of oxidative stress induced by a high dosage of dietary iron on intestinal lesion and the microbiological compositions in caecum in Chinese Yellow broilers. A total of 450 1‐day‐old male chicks were randomly allotted into three groups. Supplemental iron (0, 700 and 1,400 mg/kg) was added to the basal diet resulting in three treatments containing 245, 908 and 1,651 mg/kg Fe (measured value) in diet respectively. Each treatment consisted of six replicate pens with 25 birds per pen. Jejunal enterocyte ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that a high dosage of dietary iron induced oxidative stress in broilers. Dilated endoplasmic reticulum (ER), autophagosome formation of jejunal enterocytes and decreased villi were caused by this oxidative stress. Compared to the control, concentration of the malondialdehyde (MDA) in jejunal mucosa in the 908 and 1,651 mg/kg Fe groups increased by 180% (p < .01) and 155% respectively (p < .01); activity of copper‐zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD) increased in jejunum (p < .01); and the concentration of plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) decreased by 34.9% (p < .01) in birds fed 1,651 mg/kg Fe. Gene expression of nuclear factor, erythroid‐derived 2‐like 2 (Nrf2) and zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1), in the higher dietary Fe groups was enhanced (p < .05). Species of microbial flora in caecum increased caused by oxidative stress. The PCR‐DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) dendrograms revealed different microbiota (65% similarity coefficient) between the control and iron‐supplemented groups (p < .05). These data suggest high dosage of iron supplement in feed diet can induce oxidative stress in Chinese Yellow broilers, and composition of microbiota in the caecum changed. It implied there should be no addition of excess iron when formulating diets in Chinese Yellow broilers.     

Retracted: Isolation,characterization, and effect of administration in vivo,a novel probiotic strain from pig feces

From porcine rectal swabs or feces, we isolated lactic acid bacteria and used porcine Peyer's patch cells to select them for inducibility of IgA production as an indicator of probiotic effects. The strain selected as a new probiotic was named ‘Enterococcus faecium NHRD IHARA‘. To verify the probiotic effects of this strain in vivo, 536 piglets at age 25 days were assigned to either the trial group, which administrated the strain, or the control group. An increase in IgA in the feces was observed at age 45 days (P < 0.05 compared with the control group); a significant increase in serum IgA was also observed at the end of the study (P < 0.01) in the trial group. In addition, significant differences between the groups in terms of body weight (P < 0.05) and average daily gain (P < 0.01) were observed. The rate of detection of swine‐pathogenic Escherichia coli gene in the feces tended to be lower in the trial group than in the controls. The novel probiotic strain; E. faecium NHRD IHARA may have beneficial effects on swine growth by inducing IgA production and reducing rates of colonization by pathogens in the body.     

The effects of the supplementation of multi‐strain probiotics on intestinal microbiota,metabolites and inflammation of young SPF chickens challenged with Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica

This study assessed the effect of probiotics on cecal microbiota, cecal short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and the gene expression of cytokines in young specific‐pathogen‐free (SPF) chickens infected with S. enterica subsp. enterica. One‐day‐old SPF chickens (n = 105) were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups: control (Cont) group, Salmonella‐infected (Sal) group, and a Salmonella‐infected group treated with multi‐strain probiotics (ProSal group). All chickens except those in the Cont group were challenged orally with 1 × 10⁸ cfu/ml of Salmonella 4 days after hatching. Chickens in the Sal group exhibited more abundance of Proteobacteria than those in the Cont and ProSal groups. At the genus level, chickens in ProSal group exhibited increased numbers of Lactobacillus and Oscillospira compared with those in the other groups. Chickens in the ProSal group exhibited a significant increase of cecal SCFAs compared with chickens in the Sal group. Chickens in the ProSal group exhibited increased gene expression of anti‐inflammatory cytokines, IL‐10 and TGF‐β4, and decreased expression of the proinflammatory cytokine, IFN‐γ, in the cecal tonsil compared with those in the Sal group. The results of this study indicated that the administration of probiotics can modulate microbiota, SCFAs, and immunomodulatory activity in SPF chickens.     

Effect of probiotic supplementation and genotype on growth performance,carcass traits,hematological parameters and immunity of growing rabbits under hot environmental conditions

The effect of dietary inclusion of probiotics and genetic groups on rabbit performance under hot environmental conditions was studied. A total of 80 rabbits aged 8 weeks were distributed into a completely randomized design in a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement, including four genetic groups and three concentrations of dietary probiotic (0, 200 and 400 g/t feed). The utilized probiotic contained 4 × 10⁹ colony‐forming units/g of Bacillus subtilis. Jabali local breed (J), imported Spanish V‐line (V) and their crossbreds (¼J¾V and ¾J¼V) were included in the current study. Final weight and body weight gain were not significantly affected by dietary probiotic levels or genetic group. The feed conversion ratio was better for purebreds than that of crossbreds. A significant improvement in percentage of dressed carcass, mid and hind parts was recorded for rabbits fed a diet containing 400 g probiotic/t feed compared with those fed a basal diet or low probiotic level. Probiotic supplementation had a significant decrease in serum cholesterol. Rabbits given 400 g probiotic/t feed had higher hemoglobin, red blood cells and platelets. Adding 400 g probiotic/t feed to rabbit's diet significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved cell‐mediated immunity compared to the other treatments 48 h post‐injection.     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Effect of Lactobacillus fermentum and Enterococcus faecium strains on internal milieu,antioxidant status and body weight of broiler chickens

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functional efficiency of two probiotic strains Lactobacillus fermentum CCM 7158 and Enterococcus faecium M 74 given to the drinking water on internal milieu, antioxidant status and body weight of broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted on hybrid Hybro (n = 180). The feeding period lasted 42 days. Experimental chickens of E1 group received a probiotic preparation in drinking water with concentration of 1 × 10⁹ colony forming units (CFU) of L. fermentum CCM 7158 in 1 g of nutrient medium and experimental chickens of E2 group concentration of 2 × 10⁹ CFU of E. faecium M 74 in 1 g of nutrient medium. The control group of animals received water without any additives. Triglycerides content in serum mainly with L. fermentum strain against the control group was decreased. Calcium content in both experimental groups and significantly in E. faecium group was increased. Antioxidant status in both probiotic groups was significantly increased. The content of bilirubin in group with E. faecium M 74 was significantly increased. In conclusion, addition of a microbial feed additive (L. fermentum and E. faecium) increased serum calcium and iron level, decreased triglycerides content in blood and slightly increased body weight of broiler chickens.     

Growth performance of piglets during the first two weeks of lactation affects the development of the intestinal microbiota

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of newborn piglet weight gain during the first 2 weeks of lactation on the luminal and mucosal microbiota of the ileum and colon. The microbiota from high‐weight‐gain (HWG) and low‐weight‐gain (LWG) 2‐week‐old piglets was characterized by amplicon length heterogeneity PCR (LH‐PCR) and compared using diversity indices and multivariate statistical analyses. At birth, LWG piglets weighted in average 0.26 kg less than HWG piglets (p = .002). The weight difference between LWG and HWG piglets increased with time and reached 2.1 kg after 16 days of lactation (p < .0001). Based on these growth performance differences, estimated colostrum and milk intake was greater in HWG than in LWG piglets (p < .0001). Analysis of the LH‐PCR data of the microbiota using non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) and blocked multiresponse permutation procedure (MRBP) revealed that the microbiota of the HWG and LWG piglets tended to differ in ileal mucosa (p = .097) and differed in colonic lumen (p = .024). The microbiota of HWG piglets had higher levels of Bacteroidetes, Bacteroides and Ruminoccocaceae, and lower proportions of Actinobacillus porcinus and Lactobacillus amylovorus when compared with those of LWG piglets. As the weight gain of nursing piglets is highly correlated with the amount of ingested colostrum and milk, the results strongly suggest that colostrum and milk intake in the first 2 weeks of life influenced the development of the gut microbiota.