Effects of Essential Oils-Based Supplement and Salmonella Infection on Gene Expression, Blood Parameters, Cecal Microbiome, and Egg Production in Laying Hens

Abstract

One of the main roles in poultry resistance to infections caused by Salmonella is attributed to host immunity and intestinal microbiota. We conducted an experiment that involved challenging Lohmann White laying hens with Salmonella Enteritidis (SE), feeding them a diet supplemented with an EOs-based phytobiotic Intebio®. At 1 and 7 days post-inoculation, the expression profiles of eight genes related to immunity, transport of nutrients in the intestine, and metabolism were examined. Cecal microbiome composition and blood biochemical/immunological indices were also explored and egg production traits recorded. As a result, the SE challenge of laying hens and Intebio® administration had either a suppressive or activating effect on the expression level of the studied genes (e.g., IL6 and BPIFB3), the latter echoing mammalian/human tissue-specific expression. There were also effects of the pathogen challenge and phytobiotic intake on the cecal microbiome profiles and blood biochemical/immunological parameters, including those reflecting the activity of the birds’ immune systems (e.g., serum bactericidal activity, β-lysine content, and immunoglobulin levels). Significant differences between control and experimental subgroups in egg performance traits (i.e., egg weight/number/mass) were also found. The phytobiotic administration suggested a positive effect on the welfare and productivity of poultry.

Egg production and blood cholesterol of layers fed after adding fragrant pandan leaf flour (Pandanus amarylifolius Roxb.)

“…Egg production was increased due to the consumption of rations increased with pandan leaf flour as a source of antioxidants. Feed ingredients contained antioxidants and antibacterial which given to laying hens can improve intestinal performance in the process of absorption of poultry feed nutrients to provide health, and can reduce the death rate of chickens so that egg production can increase (Laptev et al, 2021). Pandan leaf flour level of 4% increases egg production and provides adequate feed conversion.…”

Roadmap for the integration of gastro‐intestinal (GI) tract microbiomes (human and domestic animal) in risk assessments under EFSA's remit

“…The use of plants or derivatives in poultry with Salmonella has had positive effects on performances, whether by reducing mortality (Q. J. Wu et al, 2018), increasing egg production in laying hens (Laptev et al, 2021;Wang et al, 2019) or reducing FCR in broilers (Jazi et al, 2019). The decrease in the FCR can be explained by the increase in the intestinal villi height which have been observed (Jazi et al, 2019; Q. J.…”

“…But this can also be explained by the increase in the genus Escherichia-Shigella which has been observed (Gan et al, 2020;Zeng et al, 2018). Some studies have shown that Salmonella Enteritidis was also able to induce an increase in the abundance of other pathogenic/zoonotic bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens or Campylobacter (Laptev et al, 2021; www.efsa.europa.eu/publications EFSA Supporting publication 2024:EN-8597…”

Phytobiotics as Potential Regulators of the Gut Microbiome Composition and Functional Activity in Broiler Chickens — A Mini-Review

“…В качестве источников ФБ изучаются как целые растения, так и выделенные из них активные соединения -апигенин, кверцетин, куркумин и ресвератрол, терпены (эвгенол, тимол, карвакрол, капсаицин и артемизинин) и альдегиды (коричный альдегид и ванилин). Эти молекулы обладают не только противомикробными (в том числе противобактериальными, противогрибным, противовирусными и противопротозойными), но и противовоспалительными, антиоксидантными, иммуномодулирующими свойствами, а также улучшают морфологию и состояние слизистой оболочки кишечника (59)(60)(61).…”