The effect of Aspergillus niger as a dietary supplement on blood parameters, intestinal morphology, and gut microflora in Haidong chicks reared in a high altitude environment

Abstract

Aim: The effects of the inclusion of Aspergillus niger in the diet of Haidong chicks reared in the Qing-Zang high altitude area (China) under hypoxic conditions. Materials and Methods: A total of 720 Haidong chicks were randomly divided into six groups and fed diets supplemented with 0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, 1.25%, and 1.5% of A. niger to determine blood parameters, intestinal morphology, and gut microflora in Haidong chicks reared in a high altitude environment. Results: Packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell count, and hemoglobin concentration increased in the groups fed diets containing A. niger. The administration of A. niger in 1.0% and 1.25% significantly decreased the concentration of Escherichia coli in the cecum, while the concentration of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the cecum and ileum was increased in the treated groups. When compared to the control groups, villi height, crypt depth, and goblet cell density in the intestine was raised, in general, in the groups treated with A. niger. Conclusion: These findings suggest that 1.25% A. niger as dietary supplement may improve the resistance to ascites among birds reared under hypoxic conditions.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Probiotic Aspergillus niger on Performance and Cecal Microbiota in Hy-Line W-36 Laying Hens

“…The gastrointestinal microbial population plays a vital role in maintaining gut health and normal digestive processes, influencing the overall performance of birds [ 31 ]. The decrease in the microbial load of Escherichia coli , Salmonella spp., and Clostridium perfringens in the current experiment is in agreement with that in a previous study reporting that supplementing Aspergillus niger at rates of 1% or 1.25% significantly reduced the Escherichia coli and increased the beneficial bacteria ( Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus ) in the ceca [ 22 ]. The reduction in the bacterial load of Escherichia coli , Salmonella spp., and Clostridium perfringens in ceca may have been due to the competitive exclusion of pathogens by modulating the gut microflora and fortification of the gastrointestinal barriers by increasing the beneficial bacteria [ 12 , 22 ].…”

“…The decrease in the microbial load of Escherichia coli , Salmonella spp., and Clostridium perfringens in the current experiment is in agreement with that in a previous study reporting that supplementing Aspergillus niger at rates of 1% or 1.25% significantly reduced the Escherichia coli and increased the beneficial bacteria ( Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus ) in the ceca [ 22 ]. The reduction in the bacterial load of Escherichia coli , Salmonella spp., and Clostridium perfringens in ceca may have been due to the competitive exclusion of pathogens by modulating the gut microflora and fortification of the gastrointestinal barriers by increasing the beneficial bacteria [ 12 , 22 ]. In addition, bioactive compounds produced by Aspergillus niger would be expected to act as antibacterial agents to selectively reduce the pathogenic bacteria in the ceca [ 29 ].…”

“…In previous studies, 1.25% Aspergillus niger supplementation improved gastrointestinal health and reduced cecal coliform counts ( Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli ) [ 12 , 22 ]. In addition, supplementing Aspergillus niger in the diet increased body weight gain, decreased feed intake, improved feed conversion ratio, and decreased abdominal and breast fat deposition in broilers [ 14 , 18 ].…”

Effects of novel microecologics combined with traditional Chinese medicine and probiotics on growth performance and health of broilers

“…The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization define probiotics as live microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host when administered in adequate doses ( Hill et al., 2014 ). Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus ( Incharoen et al., 2019 ), Bacillu s ( Al-Fataftah and Abdelqader, 2014 ), Bifidobacterium ( Wang et al., 2020a ), Aspergillus niger ( Lin et al., 2020 ), and Aspergillus oryzae ( Zahirian et al., 2019 ), commonly used in livestock and poultry, have many beneficial effects, mainly including killing or suppressing pathogenic bacteria, promoting nutrient utilization, enhancing intestinal barrier function, regulating immune response, and improving intestinal microbiota. Traditional Chinese medicine ( TCM ) has been regarded as an invaluable source of therapeutic agents and played an important role in maintaining both human and animal health ( Mishra and Tiwari, 2011 ).…”