Effects of Vaccination Against Coccidiosis on Gut Microbiota and Immunity in Broiler Fed Bacitracin and Berry Pomace

Abstract

Feeding practices have been found to influence gut microbiota which play a major role in immunity of poultry. In the present study, changes in cecal microbiota and humoral responses resulting in the 55 ppm bacitracin (BACI), 1% each of cranberry (CP1) and wild blueberry (BP1) pomace alone or in combination (CP+BP) feeding in broiler Cobb 500 vaccinated or not against coccidiosis were investigated. In the non-vaccinated group, no significant treatment effects were observed on performance parameters. Vaccination significantly affected bird’s performance parameters particularly during the growing phase from 10 to 20 days of age. In general, the prevalence of coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis (NE) was reduced by vaccination (P < 0.05). BACI-treated birds showed low intestinal lesion scores, and both CP1 and BP1 feed supplementations reduced Eimeria acervulina and Clostridium perfringens incidences similar to BACI. Vaccination induced change in serum enzymes, minerals, and lipid levels in 21-day old birds while, levels of triglyceride (TRIG) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were higher (P < 0.05) in CP1 treated non–vaccinated group than in the control. The levels of NEFA were lower in BACI- and CP1-fed birds than in the control in non-vaccinated day 28 old birds. The highest levels of all estimated three immunoglobulins (IgY, IgM, and IgA) were found in the vaccinated birds. Metagenomics analysis of the cecal bacterial community in 21-day old birds showed the presence of Firmicutes (90%), Proteobacteria (5%), Actinobacteria (2%), and Bacteroidetes (2%). In the vaccinated group, an effect of BACI was noted on Proteobacteria (P = 0.03). Vaccination and/or dietary treatments influenced the population of Lactobacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Clostridiaceae, and Streptococcaceae which were among the most abundant families. Overall, this study revealed that besides their beneficial effects on performance, alike bacitracin, berry pomaces in poultry feed have profound impacts on the chicken cecal microbiota and blood metabolites that could be influenced by vaccination against coccidiosis.

Radix paeoniae alba polysaccharide attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal injury by regulating gut microbiota

“…Gut microbiome interacts with the host and plays a key role in host health ( Maslowski et al, 2009 ; Das et al, 2021 ). Statistically, the normal intestine harbors over 100 trillion of microorganisms including bacteria (98%), fungi (0.1%), viruses, protists and archaea, approximately ten times the total amount of host cells ( Li et al, 2021a ).…”

Single and Combined Effects of Clostridium butyricum and Coccidiosis Vaccine on Growth Performance and the Intestinal Microbiome of Broiler Chickens

“…Coccidiosis vaccine administration can effectively prevent chicken coccidiosis infection, but it also reduces the production performance of broilers ( Das et al, 2021 ). Probiotics can improve the production performance of broilers.…”

Microbiome of Ceca from Broiler Chicken Vaccinated or Not against Coccidiosis and Fed Berry Pomaces

“…The preparations and chemical compositions of the American cranberry ( Vaccinium macrocarpon ) (CP) and lowbush blueberry ( V. angustifolium ) (BP) pomaces used in this study were described in previous studies [ 15 , 22 ]. Briefly, a frozen hydraulic rack and cloth were used to press berry fruits at 1000 to 3000 psi for juice removal.…”

“…The chicken feeding trial design, management, and sample collections have been described previously [ 15 ]. All protocols of this animal trail were approved (protocol #16-AV-314) by the Animal Care Committee of Center de Recherche en Sciences Animales de Deschambault (CRSAD) based on guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care [ 15 ]. Briefly, 2700 male day-old Cobb 500 chicks were allocated randomly to 60 pens (45 birds/pen) separated into two groups with or without coccidiosis vaccines.…”

“…Using phenolic-rich berry pomace as a feed supplement has been reported to reduce gut lesions due to C. perfringens (NE) and Eimeria spp. (coccidiosis), to stimulate the growth of cecal beneficial bacteria, and to influence lipid and serum enzyme levels in broiler chickens [ 14 , 15 ]. Dietary cranberry and lowbush blueberry pomaces in feeds could also improve the quality and antioxidant capacity of chicken meat [ 16 ].…”