Effects of Dietary Zeolite Supplementation as an Antibiotic Alternative on Growth Performance, Intestinal Integrity, and Cecal Antibiotic Resistance Genes Abundances of Broilers

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe widespread use of antibiotics in livestock production has attracted public attention due to antibiotic resistance. It is necessary to search for antibiotic alternatives in feeds. Zeolite, a kind of feed additive or feed raw material, can enhance growth performance, balance intestinal bacteria, and improve antioxidant capacity in animals. In vitro studies showed zeolite could reduce antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) abundances. This research compared the effects of antibiotics and zeolite on growth performance, intestinal morphology and barrier function, and cecal ARGs abundances of broilers. Our results indicated that dietary zeolite supplementation exerted similar or better effects than antibiotic inclusion. AbstractThe study investigated the effects of dietary zeolite supplementation as an antibiotic alternative on growth performance, intestinal integrity, and cecal antibiotic resistance genes abundances of broilers. One-day-old chicks were assigned into three groups and fed a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with antibiotics (50 mg/kg) or zeolite (10 g/kg). Antibiotic or zeolite increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) from 1 to 42 days and duodenal villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) at 21 days. Zeolite increased (p < 0.05) ADG and average daily feed intake from 1 to 21 days, jejunal VH:CD at 21 and 42 days, ileal VH and VH:CD at 42 days, zonula occludens-1 mRNA abundance at 21 days, and duodenal occludin mRNA abundance at 42 days, whereas reduced (p < 0.05) jejunal CD and malondialdehyde levels in ileum at 21 days and duodenum at 42 days, serum D-lactic acid and diamine oxidase levels at 42 days, and plasma lipopolysaccharide content at 21 and 42 days. Antibiotics reduced (p < 0.05) duodenal claudin-2 mRNA abundance at 21 days, whereas increased (p < 0.05) cecal tetB abundance at 42 days. These findings suggested that the beneficial effects of zeolite in broilers were more pronounced than that of antibiotics.

Effects of Diet Supplemented with Excess Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Disodium on Growth Performance, Blood Parameters and Redox Status in Weaned Pigs

“…The use of antibiotic growth promoters to help prevent weaning stress in weaned pigs has been forbidden in the European Union, Korea, and Japan [ 25 ]. And in China the use of antibiotic growth promoters also has been forbidden in 2020 [ 26 ]. Consequently, here is increasing interest in use of alternatives to in-feed antibiotics.…”

Effects of Weaning Age at 21 and 28 Days on Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology and Redox Status in Piglets

“…Consequently, the use of antibiotic growth promoters in feed for livestock and poultry has been banned in Japan, Korea and the European Union [ 3 ]. In China, the addition of antibiotic growth promoters to livestock and poultry feed was also forbidden in 2020 [ 4 ]. Forbidding the use of antibiotic growth promoters in feed may lead to new challenges in swine production, such as lower growth performance and higher diarrhea incidence in piglets.…”

Maximum levels of cross‐contamination for 24 antimicrobial active substances in non‐target feed. Part 12: Tetracyclines: tetracycline, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, and doxycycline

“…In the study of Qu et al. ( 2019 ), a total of 144 1‐day‐old male Arbor Acres chickens for fattening were allocated to three dietary treatments and distributed in six cages per treatment, in groups of eight birds per each cage. Two basal diets (starter, 1−21 days and grower, 22−42 days) were either not supplemented (control) or supplemented with different treatments.…”