Egg Production in Poultry Farming Is Improved by Probiotic Bacteria

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most serious threats for human health in the near future. Livestock has played an important role in the appearance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, intestinal dysbiosis in farming animals, or the spread of AMR among pathogenic bacteria of human concern. The development of alternatives like probiotics is focused on maintaining or improving production levels while diminishing these negative effects of antibiotics. To this end, we supplied the potential probiotic Enterococcus faecalis UGRA10 in the diet of laying hens at a final concentration of 10 8 Colony Forming Units per gram (CFU/g) of fodder. Its effects have been analyzed by: (i) investigating the response of the ileum and caecum microbiome; and (ii) analyzing the outcome on eggs production. During the second half of the experimental period (40 to 76 days), hens fed E. faecalis UGRA10 maintained egg production, while control animals dropped egg production. Supplementation diet with E. faecalis UGRA10 significantly increased ileum and caecum bacterial diversity (higher bacterial operational taxonomic unit richness and Faith’s diversity index) of laying hens, with animals fed the same diet showing a higher similarity in microbial composition. These results point out to the beneficial effects of E. faecalis UGRA10 in egg production. Future experiments are necessary to unveil the underlying mechanisms that mediate the positive response of animals to this treatment.

Current Perspectives and Potential of Probiotics to Limit Foodborne Campylobacter in Poultry

“…Probiotics play multiple roles in the poultry host, delivering beneficial effects, such as increasing nutrient uptake, and body weight gains. The mechanisms behind the host beneficial effects are complex and not always well defined, so only the mechanisms of antibacterial effects are discussed in this review ( Lutful Kabir, 2009 ; Park et al, 2016 ; Popova, 2017 ; Wang et al, 2017 ; Peralta-Sánchez et al, 2019 ). The current known modes of action for probiotics as an antimicrobial is demonstrated in three ways including, but not limited to, competitive exclusion, antagonism, and stimulation of the host immune system ( Zhang et al, 2007 ; Bratz et al, 2015 ; Cox and Dalloul, 2015 ; Schneitz and Hakkinen, 2016 ; Dec et al, 2018 ).…”

Impact of industrial production system parameters on chicken microbiomes: mechanisms to improve performance and reduceCampylobacter

“…Phascolarctobacterium is involved in SCFA production, including acetate and propionate and described as an option for reduction of Campylobacter via competitive exclusion [27][28][29]. Here, Omega-3 fed poultry systems harboured Phascolarctobacterium at a higher prevalence, although we cannot state if this was directly associated with a reduction or absence of Campylobacters from the cecal community.…”

Impact of industrial production system parameters on chicken microbiomes: mechanisms to improve performance and reduce Campylobacter

“…Genera that were differentially expressed between different production systems and days were identified (some also part of the core microbiome). For day 30, HW vs O comparison, Phascolarctobacterium , Thalassospira and Bacteroides were identified as increased for O. Phascolarctobacterium is involved in SCFA production, including acetate and propionate and described as an option for reduction of Campylobacter via competitive exclusion [ 27 – 29 ]. Here, Omega-3 fed poultry systems harboured Phascolarctobacterium at a higher prevalence, although we cannot state if this was directly associated with a reduction or absence of Campylobacters from the caecal community.…”