Ganoderma Lucidum Extract Modulates Cecal Microbiota Community in Broilers under Dextran Sulfate Sodium Challenge During the Starter Phase

In this study, we investigated the effects of Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE) supplementation on the cecal microbiota of broilers challenged with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) during the starter phase. A total of 32 one-day-old, unsexed broiler chicks were randomly divided into four dietary treatments with eight birds per treatment and reared individually for 14 days (n = 8). The diet treatments were: non-DSS challenge, DSS challenge only, DSS challenge plus 0.5 mL/L GLE, and DSS challenge plus 1 mL/L GLE. The results showed that DSS challenge plus 0.5 mL GLE alleviated inflammatory gene expression in the duodenum of broilers (p≤0.01). The alpha diversity of bacterial species in the cecal digesta increased in the group treated with DSS plus 1 mL/L GLE compared with the DSS challenge-only group (p≤0.01). Principal component analysis and principal coordinate analysis indicated distinct clusters between groups treated with DSS-only and DSS plus GLE (0.5 and 1 mL/L). The abundance of the genera Ruminiclostridium 9, Enterococcus, and Sellimonas increased in the group treated with DSS plus GLE (0.5 and 1 mL/L) compared with the other groups (p≤0.01). Comparative microbial function analysis demonstrated that the immune system was promoted in the group treated with DSS plus GLE (0.5 and 1 mL/L) compared to the DSS challenge-only group (p≤0.001). These results demonstrated that GLE supplementation can modulate the cecal microbial community of broilers under DSS challenge during the starter phase.(AU)

Ganoderma Lucidum Extract Regulates Gut Morphology and Microbial Community in Lipopolysaccharide-Challenged Broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE) on the gut morphology and cecal microbial community of broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). 144 one-day-old unsexed broiler chicks were randomly distributed into four treatments: non-challenged broilers fed a basal diet; LPS-challenged broilers fed a basal diet; LPS challenged broilers fed a basal diet supplemented with 1 mL/L of GLE in the drinking water; and LPS challenged broilers fed a basal diet supplemented with 1.33 mL/L of GLE in the drinking water. Results showed that supplementationwith1.33 mL/L of GLE alleviated intestinal inflammatory gene expression in LPS-challenged broilers (p≤0.05). Supplementation of GLE (1 and 1.33 mL/L) increased the villus height in the jejunum and ileum of LPS-challenged broilers (p≤0.001). Weighted principal coordinate analysis, heat map of species abundance, and microbial function pathway revealed distinct separation between the groups treated with LPS only and LPS in combination with GLE supplementation (1 and 1.33 mL/L). The abundance of the genus Faecalibacterium was increased in the cecal digesta of LPS-challenged broilers receiving GLE(1 and 1.33 mL/L) compared with the LPS challenge-only group (p≤0.001). The growth performance parameter of broilers was positively associated with the abundance of the genus Faecalibacterium in the cecal digesta. In conclusion, GLE supplementation could modulate gut morphology and cecal microbiota composition of broilers under inflammatory challenge.(AU)