Influence of β-galacto-oligosaccharide on growth performance and components of intestinal barrier in broilers during heat stress

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the influence of β-galacto-oligosaccharides (β-GOS) on growth performance, organ development and intestinal microarchitecture of broilers during heat stress. Day-old chicks (n = 125) were divided into five groups. The control or thermoneutral zone group (TNZ) was raised under standard management until the 35th day. Four groups were exposed to cyclic heat stress (35 °C 8 h/d) from the 22nd to the 35th day. The TNZ and heat stress control (HSCT) groups were fed a corn-based diet and HS + 0.1% β-GOS; HS + 0.2% β-GOS; and HS + 0.5% β-GOS were fed a corn-based diet supplemented with β-GOS (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.5%), respectively. Exposure to heat stress reduced feed consumption, feed efficiency and the relative weight of the liver, bursa of Fabricius, and small intestine, compared with the TNZ group. Morphometric evaluation of the small intestine revealed reduced villus surface area, villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH : CD) and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) in all segments, and reduced acidic goblet cells (AGCs) in the ileum of the HSCT group compared with the TNZ group. Compared with the HSCT group, dietary β-GOS (0.2% and 0.5%) improved the feed efficiency and relative weight of the small intestine. Furthermore, dietary β-GOS (0.1%) increased villus surface area in the duodenum and IEL count in the small intestine compared with the HSCT group. Dietary β-GOS 0.5% increased villi surface area (VSA) in the jejunum and ileum, whereas the IEL count in the small intestine and acidic goblet cells (AGCs) in the jejunum and ileum were reduced compared with the HSCT group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of β-GOS (0.2% and 0.5%) improved the growth performance and intestinal microarchitecture of broilers during heat exposure, along with partial immune stimulation. ______________________________________________________________________________________

An evaluation of the thermoregulatory potential of in ovo delivered bioactive substances (probiotic, folic acid, and essential oil) in broiler chickens

“…In this study, HS is seen to reduce duodenal villus width, as well as villus height and width in the jejunum. These morphometric and histopathological changes, possibly resulting from ischemia and hypoxia accompanied by epithelial shedding are consistent with other reports in heat-stressed birds ( Deng et al, 2012 ; Ashraf et al, 2017 ; Li et al, 2020 ). Conversely, Quinteiro-Filho et al (2010) reported that HS (31 ± 1 and 36 ± 1°C/10 h/d) evoked no significant changes in villus and crypt morphology in broiler chickens.…”

Effects of dietary guar meal with or without beta-mannanase on performance and egg quality traits in laying hens

“…In this study, the dietary enzyme supplementation of poultry diets did not have any beneficial effects on feed efficiency. Present FCR values were similar with values reported by Al-Hsawi [58] and Shahbazi [60], but were not similar to those reported by Ehsani and Torki [5] or Ashraf et al [61].…”

In Vitro Evaluation of the Effects of Commercial Prebiotic GOS and FOS Products on Human Colonic Caco–2 Cells

“…However, Liu et al [11] suggested short-term intake of high-dose GOS and FOS prebiotics had an adverse effect on glucose metabolism despite increased Bifidobacterium in the fecal microbiota. In controlled animal studies, GOS has been associated with improved growth performance of broiler chickens [12] or during exposure to heat stress [13,14]. Dietary supplementation of GOS has also been linked with improvements in the transition to a mature intestinal microbiota in broiler chickens [12,15] and in suckling piglets [16,17].…”