Feed supplementation with red seaweeds, Chondrus crispus and Sarcodiotheca gaudichaudii, affects performance, egg quality, and gut microbiota of layer hens

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of red seaweed supplementation to standard poultry diets on production performance, egg quality, intestinal histology, and cecal short-chain fatty acids in Lohmann Brown Classic laying hens. A total of 160 birds were randomly assigned to 8 treatment groups. Control hens were fed a basal layer diet; positive control hens were fed a diet containing 2% inulin; and 6 treatment groups were fed a diet containing one of the following; 0.5, 1, or 2% Chondrus crispus (CC0.5, CC1, and CC2, respectively) and one of the same 3 levels of Sarcodiotheca gaudichaudii (SG0.5, SG1, and SG2, respectively). Dietary supplementation had no significant effect on the feed intake, BW, egg production, fecal moisture content, and blood serum profile of the birds. The feed conversion ratio per gram of egg was significantly more efficient (P = 0.001) for CC2 and SG2 treatments. Moreover, SG1 supplementation increased egg yolk weight (P = 0.0035) and birds with CC1 supplementation had higher egg weight (P = 0.0006). The SG2 and CC2 groups had greater (P < 0.05) villus height and villus surface area compared with the control birds. Seaweed supplementation increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria [e.g., Bifidobacterium longum (4- to 14-fold), Streptococcus salivarius (4- to 15-fold)] and importantly reduced the prevalence of Clostridium perfringens in the gut of the chicken. Additionally, the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids, including acetic acid, propionic acid, n-butyric acid, and i-butyric acid, were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in CC and SG treatments than in the control. In conclusion, dietary supplementation using red seaweed inclusions can act as a potential prebiotic to improve performance, egg quality, and overall gut health in layer hens.

Feed Supplementation with Red Seaweeds, Chondrus crispus and Sarcodiotheca gaudichaudii, Reduce Salmonella Enteritidis in Laying Hens

“…Interestingly in the present study, a negative correlation was observed between the relative abundance of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Salmonella Enteritidis in the birds supplemented with CC (4%) ( Figure 3 ), suggesting Lactobacillus acidophilus as a suppressor of Salmonella Enteritidis (Gibson et al, 2005). Moreover, this could be due to the effect of dietary C. crispus on the epithelial cell turnover, thus altering the growth in favor of the beneficial bacteria (Kulshreshtha et al, 2014). Previously, it has been documented that the host microbiota composition is dependent on the dietary carbohydrate intake (Rinttilä and Apajalahti, 2013).…”

“…The population of microbes within the gut was determined by quantitative, real time PCR using a protocol developed in our previous study (Kulshreshtha et al, 2014). Additionally, DNA samples were sent for next generation sequencing analysis to McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Montreal, Quebec.…”

“…selectively ferment polysaccharides found in seaweeds (Hu et al, 2006). Red seaweeds have been shown to modulate the immune response and microbiota (Kulshreshtha et al, 2014). However, no studies have investigated the application of dietary seaweeds in birds challenged with a pathogen.…”

Seaweed as a protein source for mono-gastric livestock

“…There is little literature on incorporating seaweeds as a protein source into the diets of poultry and swine. In contrast, there are many studies examining the functional effects of seaweed and their extracts on immune function, gut health, and meat and egg quality (Katayama et al, 2011;Kulshreshtha et al, 2014;Michalak et al, 2011;Walsh, Sweeney, O'Shea, Doyle, & O 'Doherty, 2013). However, these studies use low inclusion levels (<5%) that contribute little protein to the diet or, its corollary, that the seaweeds do not displace traditional protein sources in the feed.…”

Can Fortified Bifidobacterium with Mycosporin-like Amino Acid be a New Insight for Neurological Disease' s Treatment?

“…They improve the growth of beneficial bacteria in the environment of harmful microbiota. MAAs is unique components of red seaweeds and seaweed components are known as supportive reinforcement of the microbiota in intestinal diseases [17][18][19][20]. MAAs had been shown to regulate intestinal epithelial cell differentiation and cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6) production [21].…”