Effect of Heat-Inactivated Compound Probiotics on Growth Performance, Plasma Biochemical Indices, and Cecal Microbiome in Yellow-Feathered Broilers

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of heat-inactivated compound probiotics on growth performance, plasma biochemical indices, and gut microbiota composition and functions in yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 360 1-day-old broilers were randomly divided into 3 groups, including a basal diet as negative control group (PC), basal diet plus antibiotics with 250 mg/kg calcium oxytetracycline and 200 mg/kg Nosiheptide as positive control (PC), and basal diet plus 500 mg/kg compound probiotics consisting of heat-inactivated Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus acidophilus BFI (BFI). Each group had 6 replicates of 20 chickens. On d 21, 42, and 63, one chick from each replicate was selected for blood collection and cecal sampling. Compared to the NC group, dietary supplementation with heat-inactivated compound probiotics increased the feed efficiency during d 1-63 (P < 0.05). The plasma cholesterol content at 42 d and creatinine content at 63 d were decreased by dietary supplementation with heat-inactivated compound probiotics (P < 0.05). The dominant phyla in broiler cecal microbiota were Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria, while the dominant genera were Bacteroides, Ruminococcaceae, and Phascolarctobacterium. The β-diversity index of cecal microbiota in BFI group was increased at d 42 (P < 0.01) and d 63 (P < 0.05). Dietary heat-inactivated compound probiotics increased the relative abundances of Barnesiellaceae (family), Barnesiella (genus), and Lactobacillus aviarius (species) at d 21, and reduced the relative abundances of genera Lachnoclostridium and Peptococcus at d 42, and unidentified Lachnospiraceae and Lachnoclostridium at d 63. The functional prediction of microbiota revealed that supplementation with heat-inactivated compound probiotics enriched the pathways related to methane metabolism, transcription machinery, purine metabolism and protein export. The Spearman's correlation analysis identified a significant correlation between cecal microbiota composition and overall feed efficiency and plasma metabolites. Collectively, dietary heat-inactivated compound probiotics with Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus acidophilus BFI enhanced feed efficiency, and decreased plasma cholesterol and Zhu et al. Compound Probiotics Modulate Broiler Microbiome creatinine contents, which might be associated with the modulation of community composition, diversity and functions of cecal microbiota in yellow-feathered broilers. These results indicated the potential of heat-inactivated probiotics used as alternatives to antibiotics for improvement of broiler health and productivity.

The Efficiency of Probiotics Administrated via Different Routes and Doses in Enhancing Production Performance, Meat Quality, Gut Morphology, and Microbial Profile of Broiler Chickens

“…The findings of the current study revealed no changes in microbial alpha-diversity across all treatments, with no significant prevalence of any bacterial species being linked to any experimental treatment. These findings were similar to that of Zhu and co-workers [ 60 ], who reported no significant effects of antibiotic or heat-inactivated compound probiotics treatments on alpha-diversity, including observed species, Chao 1, Shannon index, Simpson index, Goods coverage, ACE, and PD whole tree ( p > 0.05). In the present investigation, the beta-diversity of the microbial profile of the chicken’s caecum content was slightly reduced in the PC group compared to other treatments, indicating a potentially reduced microbial diversity when birds received antibiotics in feed at subtherapeutic levels; however, this needs to be verified in a repeated experiment, possibly with a more pathogenic challenging environment.…”

“…In the present investigation, the beta-diversity of the microbial profile of the chicken’s caecum content was slightly reduced in the PC group compared to other treatments, indicating a potentially reduced microbial diversity when birds received antibiotics in feed at subtherapeutic levels; however, this needs to be verified in a repeated experiment, possibly with a more pathogenic challenging environment. Comparable results were also reported by Zhu and co-workers [ 60 ] where the beta-diversity index of cecal microbiota was significantly higher than that of PC group at the same sampling timepoints. Accordingly, Gao et al [ 61 ] reported opposing effects of probiotic and antibiotic administrations on the age-dependent maturation of intestinal microbiota.…”

Dietary Lasia spinosa Thw. Improves Growth Performance in Broilers

“…Notably, Sutterella , a potential probiotic, could contribute to improving the growth rate and the feed conversion ratio of chickens ( 42 ) and its deficiency might lead to the destruction of the normal function of colonic epithelium and the induction of inflammatory bowel disease, suggesting its vital role in maintaining intestinal health ( 43 ). In addition, Bacillus has been widely proven to promote growth performance ( 41 , 44 ). In this study, we found the enrichment of Bacillus in the LST1 group, while the best growth performance was found in the LST1 group.…”

Effects of dietary Lasia spinosa Thw. powder supplementation on growth performance, blood metabolites, antioxidant status, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiome in Chinese yellow-feathered broilers

“…SCFAs, as the main energy source of colorectal cells, play an essential role in regulating the absorption of several nutrients, digestive and hormonal secretions in the intestine, and participating in energy metabolism widely [43,44]. In addition, Bacillus has been widely proven to promote growth performance [43,45]. In this study, we found the enrichment of Bacillus in the LST1 groups, while the best growth performance was found in the LST1 groups.…”