In ovo supplementation of chitooligosaccharide and chlorella polysaccharide affects cecal microbial community, metabolic pathways, and fermentation metabolites in broiler chickens

Abstract

The chitooligosaccharide ( COS ) and chlorella polysaccharide ( CPS ) have been used as feed supplements in the poultry industry for improving growth performance and immunity. However, the benefits of these prebiotics on the gut health of chickens when used in early nutrition are unknown. This study evaluated the effects of in ovo feeding of COS and CPS on the cecal microbiome, metabolic pathways, and fermentation metabolites of chickens. A total of 240 fertile eggs were divided into 6 groups (n = 4; 10 eggs/replicate): 1) no-injection control, 2) normal saline control, 3) COS 5 mg, 4) COS 20 mg, 5) CPS 5 mg, and 6) CPS 20 mg injection. On day 12.5 of egg incubation, test substrate was injected into the amniotic sac of eggs in respective treatments. The hatched chicks were raised for 21 D under standard husbandry practices. On day 3 and 21, cecal digesta were collected to determine microbiota by shotgun metagenomic sequencing and short-chain fatty acids by gas chromatography. The cecal microbial composition was not different ( P > 0.05) among the treatment groups on day 3 but was different ( P < 0.05) on day 21. At the species level, the polysaccharide-utilizing bacteria including Lactobacillus johnsonii, Bacteroides coprocola , and Bacteroides salanitronis were higher in the COS group, whereas the relative abundance of some opportunistic pathogenic bacteria were lower than those in the CPS and control groups. At the functional level, the pathways of gluconeogenesis, L-isoleucine degradation, L-histidine biosynthesis, and fatty acid biosynthesis were enriched in the COS group. In addition, propionic acid content was higher ( P < 0.05) in the COS group. A network based on the correlation between the COS and other factors was constructed to illuminate the potential action mechanism of the COS in chicken early nutrition. In conclusion, in ovo inoculation of COS 5 mg showed positive effects on the cecal microbiota, metabolic pathways, and propionic acid, thus can be used as in ovo feeding to modulate the gut health of chickens.

Algae-Derived Polysaccharides Promote Growth Performance by Improving Antioxidant Capacity and Intestinal Barrier Function in Broiler Chickens

“…Likewise, Huang et al ( 23 ) and Li et al ( 24 ) found that the dietary inclusion of 150 or 100 mg/kg COS improved ADG and FCR in broilers. A wide range of mechanisms can underlay to decipher the beneficial effects of these natural marine polysaccharides on enhancing the growth performances, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health status ( 22 ), promoting the growth of beneficial gut microbiota ( 8 ), immunity ( 14 , 21 ), and nutrient digestibility ( 15 ) in broilers. However, Biggs et al ( 25 ) and Shang et al ( 6 ) observed no significant difference in the growth performance of broiler chickens fed a diet containing natural polysaccharides.…”

“…Natural polysaccharides, which are widely distributed in the microorganisms and plants, can improve an animal's gut health (4). Previously, numerous studies found that the natural polysaccharides derived from plants and fungus could be used as prebiotics to improve gut microflora balance and barrier function, ultimately promoting the growth of broiler chickens (5)(6)(7)(8). Therefore, these natural and functional polysaccharides could replace antibiotics in the poultry industry.…”

“…There are pieces of evidence supporting the biological and pharmacological role of polysaccharides in anti-carcinogenesis, antioxidation, anti-complementation, anti-inflammation, hematopoiesis, immunomodulation, and gastrointestinal tract protection ( 9 , 10 ). Currently, marine polysaccharides have attracted considerable interest in the feed industry due to their biological activities ( 8 , 11 ).…”

Editorial: Nutritional Intervention for the Intestinal Health of Young Monogastric Animals

“…Similarly, different nutrients and feed additives have been used to optimize the gastrointestinal integrity and immune system of young animals ( Adedokun and Olojede ). However, gut microbiota plays a significant role in managing the gut environment by producing fermentation metabolites and influencing nutrient utilization pathways ( 18 ). Thus, it is important to understand the gut microbial ecology in-depth, including their taxonomic composition and biochemical functions.…”

“…Thus, it is important to understand the gut microbial ecology in-depth, including their taxonomic composition and biochemical functions. However, the gut microbiota is primarily influenced by diet, age, species, and location in the digestive tract ( 5 , 18 , 19 ). Different techniques have been used to characterize the gut microbiota, but those have different strengths and limitations.…”