Pharmabiotic/phytobiotic formulas approach and their intravaginal effect on different parameters.

Postpartum reproductive infections in cows generate significant economic losses. The use of lactic acid bacteria in animal health is an alternative tool to avoid antibiotic therapy in the prevention/treatment of bovine reproductive infections. In previous studies, 6 lactic bacteria from bovine mammary glands and vagina with beneficial, safe and technological characteristics were selected, and included in probiotic/phytobiotic formulas (combined with Malva and Lapacho extracts). In this work, probiotic and phytobiotic formulations were designed and their long-term viability determined. They were administered intravaginally to 30 females pregnant bovine pre and postpartum. The modification of the native microbiota and permanence/colonization of cultivable bacteria was evaluated, and also the safety of the designed products through the application of nutritional, clinical, hematological and biochemical parameters. The microorganisms maintained their viability up to 9 months at refrigeration temperature. The number of cultivable bacteria showed different pattern: total aerobic mesophylls increased slightly in all experimental groups, while Enterobacteriaceae increased after delivery, except in beneficial acid lactic bacteria + vegetable extract cows. Control and vegetable extract females showed the highest numbers of Enterobacteriaceae at the end of the trial (30 days postpartum). The number of lactic acid bacteria increased significantly in all the groups between 15 days pre and postpartum. The different parameters evaluated demonstrate the safety and harmlessness of the designed formulas, without producing local and systemic adverse effects in the cows.

Effects of Oregano (Origanum vulgare) Essential Oil Supplementation on Growth Performance of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Fed a High-Inclusion Soybean Meal Diet.

Soybean meal (SBM) has become a common dietary replacement for fish meal (FM) in aquafeed. However, at high inclusions, SBM has been shown to have negative impacts presenting as reduced feed intake and intestinal inflammation. Medicinal plant extracts, namely essential oils, have been used to promote growth performance and immune response. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oil (OEO) inclusion on utilization of a high-inclusion SBM diet using zebrafish as a model. Five diets were used in this study: reference-FM-based diet, control-55.7% inclusion SBM diet, and three experimental SBM-based diets OEO1, OEO2, and OEO3 that were supplemented with 1%, 2%, or 3% of oregano oil, respectively. The FM group had overall better growth performance when compared with the other treatment groups; however, the OEO3 mean weight and feed conversion ratio were not significantly different from the FM group (p > 0.05) and were significantly improved compared with the SBM group (p < 0.05). Similarly, OEO2 total length was not significantly different from FM (p > 0.05) but significantly higher than the SBM group (p < 0.05). Expression of inflammation-related genes did not significantly differ between the OEO groups and the SBM-only group. However, the OEO2 and OEO3 groups displayed improved growth performance compared with the SBM group, suggesting that inclusion of OEO at or above 2% inclusion may help to alleviate common symptoms induced by a high-inclusion SBM diet.

In Vitro Evaluation of Phytobiotic Mixture Antibacterial Potential against Enterococcus spp. Strains Isolated from Broiler Chicken.

Enterococcus spp. are normal intestinal tract microflorae found in poultry. However, the last decades have shown that several species, e.g., Enterococcus cecorum, have become emerging pathogens in broilers and may cause numerous losses in flocks. In this study, two combinations (H1 and H2) of menthol, 1,8-cineol, linalool, methyl salicylate, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, trans-anethole, terpinen-4-ol and thymol were used in an in vitro model, analyzing its effectiveness against the strains E. cecorum, E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. hirae and E. gallinarum isolated from broiler chickens from industrial farms. To identify the isolated strains classical microbiological methods and VITEK 2 GP cards were used. Moreover for E. cecorum a PCR test was used.. Antibiotic sensitivity (MIC) tests were performed for all the strains. For the composition H1, the effective dilution for E. cecorum and E. hirae strains was 1:512, and for E. faecalis, E. faecium and E. gallinarum, 1:1024. The second mixture (H2) showed very similar results with an effectiveness at 1:512 for E. cecorum and E. hirae and 1:1024 for E. faecalis, E. faecium and E. gallinarum. The presented results suggest that the proposed composition is effective against selected strains of Enterococcus in an in vitro model, and its effect is comparable to classical antibiotics used to treat this pathogen in poultry. This may suggest that this product may also be effective in vivo and provide effective support in the management of enterococcosis in broiler chickens.

Mitigation Potential of Herbal Extracts and Constituent Bioactive Compounds on Salmonella in Meat-Type Poultry.

Herbal extracts have been widely evaluated in poultry production for their beneficial effects and potential substitute for antibiotics, which contribute to AMR and risks to human health through the consumption of infected meat. Salmonellosis is a systemic infection caused by Salmonella, an intracellular bacterium with the ability to cause systemic infections with significant implications for both the health and safety of farmers and consumers. The excessive use of antibiotics has escalated the incidence of antibiotic resistance bacteria in the poultry and livestock industry, highlighting the urgent need for alternatives especially in meat-type poultry. Both in vivo usage and in vitro studies of bioactive compounds from herbal extracts have demonstrated the effective antimicrobial activities against pathogenic bacteria, showing promise in managing Salmonella infections and enhancing poultry performance. Phytobiotic feed additives have shown promising results in improving poultry output due to their pharmacological properties, such as stimulating consumption, and enhancing antioxidant properties and preventing the increasing antimicrobial resistance threats. Despite potential for synergistic effects from plant-derived compounds, a further investigation into is essential to fully understand their role and mechanisms of action, for developing effective delivery systems, and for assessing environmental sustainability in controlling Salmonella in poultry production.

Ecological niches and assembly dynamics of diverse microbial consortia in the gastrointestine of goat kids.

Goats are globally invaluable ruminants that balance food security and environmental impacts, and their commensal microbiome residing in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is associated with animal health and productivity. However, the reference genomes and functional repertoires of GIT microbes in goat kids have not been fully elucidated. Herein, we performed a comprehensive landscape survey of the GIT microbiome of goat kids using metagenomic sequencing and binning, spanning a dense sampling regime covering three gastrointestinal compartments spatially and five developmental ages temporally. We recovered 1002 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (termed the goat kid GIT microbial catalog [GKGMC]), 618 of which were novel. They encode more than 2.3 million nonredundant proteins, and represent a variety of carbohydrate-degrading enzymes and metabolic gene clusters. The GKGMC-enriched microbial taxa, particularly Sodaliphilus, expanded the microbial tree of life in goat kids. Using this GKGMC, we first deciphered the prevalence of fiber-degrading bacteria for carbohydrate decomposition in the rumen and colon, while the ileal microbiota specialized in the uptake and conversion of simple sugars. Moreover, GIT microorganisms were rapidly assembled after birth, and their carbohydrate metabolic adaptation occurred in three phases of progression. Finally, phytobiotics modified the metabolic cascades of the ileal microbiome, underpinned by the enrichment of Sharpea azabuensis and Olsenella spp. implicated in lactate formation and utilization. This GKGMC reference provides novel insights into the early-life microbial developmental dynamics in distinct compartments, and offers expanded resources for GIT microbiota-related research in goat kids.

MicroRNA expression and oxidative stress markers in pectoral muscle of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with phytobiotics composition.

Phytobiotic compositions are commercially used in broiler production, mostly to improve general health and the production parameters. Moreover, some of their active substances may change the expression of miRNA in different tissues. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the phytobiotic composition (PBC) containing white mustard, calamus, turmeric, and common ivy on production parameters, oxidative stress markers and expression of selected miRNAs in pectoral muscle of broiler chickens. The experiment was performed on broiler chickens fed the control diet (without PBC), and a diet supplemented with 60 or 100 mg/kg of PBC for 35 days. After the experiment, samples (blood and muscle) were collected for analyses. The analyzed production parameters included: feed conversion ratio, feed intake and body weight. There was no effect on growth performance of broiler chickens but feeding diet supplemented with 60 mg/kg phytobiotics significantly increased the expression of miR-30a-5p, miR-181a-5p, and miR-206, and decreased that of miR-99a-5p, miR-133a-5p, miR-142-5p, and miR-222 in pectoral muscle of chickens. The addition of 100 mg/kg phytobiotics significantly increased miR-99a-5p and miR-181a-5p expression, and caused down-regulation of the expression of miR-26a-5p and miR-30a-5p. Chickens fed diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg PBC had lower level of lipid peroxidation products in blood, while in the muscle tissue it was higher in birds fed a diet with the addition of 60 mg/kg as compared to the control group. The results suggest that this unique composition of phytobiotics does not affect productive traits but can change expression of miRNAs that are crucial for muscle physiology and pathology in broiler chickens. This additive may also protect against the oxidative stress but the effect is dose dependent.

Alternatives to antibiotics in pig production: looking through the lens of immunophysiology.

In the livestock production system, the evolution of porcine gut microecology is consistent with the idea of "The Hygiene Hypothesis" in humans. I.e., improved hygiene conditions, reduced exposure to environmental microorganisms in early life, and frequent use of antimicrobial drugs drive immune dysregulation. Meanwhile, the overuse of antibiotics as feed additives for infectious disease prevention and animal growth induces antimicrobial resistance genes in pathogens and spreads related environmental pollutants. It justifies our attempt to review alternatives to antibiotics that can support optimal growth and improve the immunophysiological state of pigs. In the current review, we first described porcine mucosal immunity, followed by discussions of gut microbiota dynamics during the critical weaning period and the impacts brought by antibiotics usage. Evidence of in-feed additives with immuno-modulatory properties highlighting probiotics, prebiotics, and phytobiotics and their cellular and molecular networking are summarized and reviewed. It may provide insights into the immune regulatory mechanisms of antibiotic alternatives and open new avenues for health management in pig production.

Cutting-edge knowledge on the roles of phytobiotics and their proposed modes of action in swine.

With the ban on antibiotics in the swine industry, the exploration of alternative options has highlighted phytobiotics as a promising substitute for antibiotic growth promoters, aiming to foster a more sustainable swine industry. Phytobiotics are non-nutritive natural bioactive components derived from plants that offer numerous health benefits. They exhibit antioxidative, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Phytobiotics can be utilized in various forms, including solid, dried, ground, or as extracts, either in crude or concentrated form. They are characterized by low residual levels, a lack of resistance development, and minimal adverse effects. These qualities make phytobiotics an attractive choice for enhancing health and productivity in swine, presenting them as a viable alternative to antibiotics. While there is a general understanding of the effects of phytobiotics, there is still a need for detailed information regarding their effectiveness and mechanisms of action in practical settings. Therefore, the purpose of this mini review was to summarize the current knowledge supporting the roles of phytobiotics and their proposed modes of action, with a specific focus on swine.

Potential Implication of in ovo Feeding of Phytogenics in Poultry Production.

Hatchery's goals include maximizing revenue by achieving high hatchability with day-old birds of excellent quality. The advancement of technology has benefited the poultry sector since breeding and genetics technology have increased the rates of meat maturation in developing birds in a short period of time. Excessive use of in-feed antibiotics has been shown in studies to increase the chance of resistance to human infections. Bacterial resistance and antibiotic residues in animal products raised concerns about using antibiotics as growth promoters, eventually leading to a prohibition on using in-feed antibiotics in most industrialized nations. In ovo technology is a novel method for delivering bioactive chemicals to developing avian embryos. In ovo feeding technologies may provide additional nutrients to the embryos before hatching. The introduction of bioactive compounds has the potential to assist in decreasing and eventually eliminating the problems associated with traditional antibiotic delivery in chicken production. Phytobiotics were advocated as an alternative by researchers and dietitians. So far, several studies have been conducted on the use of phytogenic feed additives in poultry and swine feeding. They have primarily demonstrated that phytobiotics possess antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and growth-stimulating properties. The antioxidant effect of phytobiotics can improve the stability of animal feed and increase the quality and storage duration of animal products. In general, the existing documentation indicates that phytobiotics improve poultry performance. To effectively and efficiently use the in ovo technique in poultry production and advance research in this area, it is important to have a thorough understanding of its potential as a means of nutrient delivery during the critical stage of incubation, its effects on hatching events and posthatch performance, and the challenges associated with its use. Overall, this review suggests that in ovo feeding of phytobiotics has the potential to improve the antioxidant status and performance of chickens.

Effects of dietary piperine supplementation on innate immunity, growth performance, feed utilization and intestinal morphology of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus).

Piperine, the main bioactive component of black pepper (Piper nigrum) or long pepper (Piper longum), has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. This study was carried out to evaluate the supplemental effects of piperine in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) diets. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain different levels of piperine at 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 2.00 g/kg (Con, P25, P50, P75, P100, and P200, respectively). Diets were randomly allocated to triplicate groups of fish (initial weight 27.6 ± 0.4 g, 30 fish/tank) and fed three times daily for 8 weeks. Results showed that dietary piperine significantly improved fish growth and feed utilization efficiency. The highest growth, including the highest Igf-1 mRNA expression, was observed in the P50 group, while P50 and P75 groups showed the highest protein efficiency ratio. Compared to the Con group piperine supplemented groups had significantly higher lysozyme activity, immunoglobulin level, and phagocytosis activities. Plasma cholesterol was significantly lower in fish fed P200 diet. Dry matter and protein digestibility were higher in P25, P50, and P75 groups than in Con group. Dietary piperine increased the intestinal villi length and goblet cell counts. In the challenge test against Edwardsiella tarda, all the groups supplemented with piperine showed higher cumulative survival compared to Con group. Therefore, these findings indicate that dietary piperine supplementation can improve growth performance, innate immunity, disease resistance, diet digestibility, and intestinal morphology of olive flounder. The optimum dietary piperine level seems to be approximately 0.5 g/kg for the fish.

Exploring the roles of phytobiotics in relieving the impacts of Edwardsiella tarda infection on fish: a mini-review.

Edwardsiellosis caused by Edwardsiella tarda resulted in significant economic losses in aquaculture operations worldwide. This disease could infect a wide range of hosts, including freshwater, brackish water, and marine aquatic animals. Currently, antibiotics and vaccines are being used as prophylactic agents to overcome Edwardsiellosis in aquaculture. However, application of antibiotics has led to antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria, and the antibiotic residues pose a threat to public health. Meanwhile, the use of vaccines to combat Edwardsiellosis requires intensive labor work and high costs. Thus, phytobiotics were attempted to be used as antimicrobial agents to minimize the impact of Edwardsiellosis in aquaculture. These phytobiotics may also provide farmers with new options to manage aquaculture species' health. The impact of Edwardsiellosis in aquaculture worldwide was elaborated on and highlighted in this review study, as well as the recent application of phytobiotics in aquaculture and the status of vaccines to combat Edwardsiellosis. This review also focuses on the potential of phytobiotics in improving aquatic animal growth performance, enhancing immune system function, and stimulating disease resistance.

The Impact of a Phytobiotic Mixture on Broiler Chicken Health and Meat Safety.

The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of different doses of a phytobiotic mixture on selected production parameters and meat quality and to assess the residue of the preparation in tissues and the possible toxic effects in broiler chickens. Broiler chicks aged 160 days, divided into four equal groups, were supplemented with the phytobiotic mixture at different doses, D1-0.5 mL/L, D2-1 mL/L, and D3-2 mL/L, four times during a 42-day trial. There were no statistically significant differences in weight gain per week of life and mortality in the birds. The study also demonstrated that the use of the mixture of phytobiotics had no significant effect on colour, pH, WHC, and natural leakage. However, a beneficial effect of the additive was found in the group treated with a dose of 1 mL/L, where less thermal leakage from the meat was demonstrated. Furthermore, significant differences in the change in thigh muscle tenderness were also observed. In the histopathological analysis of the liver no significant differences were observed. In addition, no residues of the mixture or its metabolites were found in the tissues analysed. In conclusion, the proposed scheme of administration of the phytobiotic additive, regardless of the dose, does not cause pathological changes in organs and does not carry the risk of residues of the product in tissues intended for human consumption.

Investigating the modulatory effects of Moringa oleifera on the gut microbiota of chicken model through metagenomic approach.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the effects of supplementing chicken feed with Moringa oleifera leaf powder, a phytobiotic, on the gastrointestinal microbiota. The objective was to examine the microbial changes induced by the supplementation. Methods: A total of 40, one-day-old chickens were fed their basal diet for 42 days and then divided into two groups: SG1 (basal diet) and SG2 (basal diet + 10 g/kg Moringa oleifera leaf powder). Metagenomics analysis was conducted to analyze operational taxonomic units (OTUs), species annotation, and biodiversity. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed for molecular characterization of isolated gut bacteria, identified as Enterococcus faecium. The isolated bacteria were tested for essential metabolites, demonstrating antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Results and discussion: The analysis revealed variations in the microbial composition between the control group (SG1) and the M. oleifera-treated group (SG2). SG2 showed a 47% increase in Bacteroides and a 30% decrease in Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Tenericutes compared to SG1. TM7 bacteria were observed exclusively in the M. oleifera-treated group. These findings suggest that Moringa oleifera leaf powder acts as a modulator that enhances chicken gut microbiota, promoting the colonization of beneficial bacteria. PICRUSt analysis supported these findings, showing increased carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in the M.oleifera-treated gut microbiota. Conclusion: This study indicates that supplementing chicken feed with Moringa oleifera leaf powder as a phytobiotic enhances the gut microbiota in chicken models, potentially improving overall health. The observed changes in bacterial composition, increased presence of Bacteroides, and exclusive presence of TM7 bacteria suggest a positive modulation of microbial balance. The essential metabolites from isolated Enterococcus faecium bacteria further support the potential benefits of Moringa oleifera supplementation.

Effect of dietary inclusion of atorvastatin, garlic, and dill on growth performance, antioxidant defense, gut, and cardio-pulmonary function, and lipogenesis in broiler chickens.

In the present study, we evaluated the antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects of garlic and dill in comparison with atorvastatin to combat lipogenesis in broiler chickens. A total of 400 1-day-old chicks (Ross 308 strain) were randomly distributed into four experimental diets. Dietary treatments included a control diet, the control diet plus atorvastatin at 20 mg/kg, the control diet plus garlic dry powder (GDP) at 7.5 g/kg, and the control diet plus dill dry powder (DDP) at 7.5 g/kg. Chicks were maintained on experimental diets for 42 days under the recommended environmental conditions set out by the strain management manual. The results showed that weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and duodenal, jejunal, and ileal dimensions of villi (height, width, and the surface absorptive area) were improved by in-feed atorvastatin, GDP, or DDP when compared to the control (P < 0.05). The inclusion of atorvastatin or phytobiotic products increased circulatory levels of nitric oxide (NO) but decreased circulatory levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), triacylglycerol (TAG), and low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL), with concomitant reductions in the T, R, and S waves amplitudes in the Lead 2 electrocardiogram (ECG) (P < 0.05). Dietary supplements caused an up-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) but reduced the expression of key hepatic lipogenic enzymes (fatty acid synthase (FAS) and hydroxy-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, feed supplementation with atorvastatin, GDP, or DDP suppressed lipogenesis, enhanced antioxidant response, and improved gut and cardio-pulmonary function in broiler chicks subjected to hypobaric hypoxia.

Exploring the Effect of Functional Diets Containing Phytobiotic Compounds in Whiteleg Shrimp Health: Resistance to Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrotic Disease Caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis (AHPND) is an emerging severe disease caused by strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VpAHPND) in whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Mitigating its negative impact, and at the same time minimizing antibiotics treatments, is the major challenge in shrimp aquaculture. A sustainable strategy could be to include immunostimulants in diet. Phytobiotics, harmless plant extracts with immunostimulatory and biocidal activities, are promising candidates. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of two diets (E and F) supplemented with phytobiotics (functional diets) in terms of protecting shrimp against AHPND. For this purpose, groups of animals were fed functional or control diets for 4 and 5 weeks and, subsequently, they were challenged with VpAHPND by immersion. We compared the mortality in infected groups and estimated the percentage of carriers by using a specific qPCR in hepatopancreas tissue. The results showed that mortality was significantly lower in the group fed functional diet E and, after a 5-week feeding schedule. This group also showed the lowest percentage of carriers. The pathological effects were also reduced with diet F. Thus, feeding shrimp with phytobiotic-enriched diets in critical periods will be highly beneficial because it increases the host's resistance to AHPND pathology.

The synergetic effects of some phytobiotics mix on growth, hematology and microbial loads of broiler chickens.

This study investigated the growth and health-promoting effectiveness of three medicinal plants (black cumin, fenugreek, and turmeric) on broilers. A total of 270 (Cobb 500) day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatments: basal diet (T0), basal diet + oxytetracycline (T1), basal diet + black cumin and fenugreek (T2), basal diet + black cumin and turmeric (T3), basal diet + fenugreek and turmeric (T4), basal diet + black cumin, fenugreek and turmeric (T5). BWG and ADG had no differences (p ≥ 0.05) between T5 and antibiotics-fed birds. Phytobiotic supplemented birds (T2, T3, T4, and T5) had lower feed intake and higher FCR (T3 and T5) than controls T0 and T1 (p ≤ 0.05). Comparable (p ≥ 0.05) RBC counts were observed between birds fed phytobiotics (T2 and T4) and fed an antibiotic (T1), likewise, there were no (p ≥ 0.05) differences between T0 and birds fed phytobiotics (T3 and T5). A mixture of phytobiotics (T2, T4, and T5) outperformed in lowering total coliform and E. coli bacteria in the cecum than antibiotics (p ≤ 0.05). A mixture of the three phytobiotics can replace commercial antibiotics and have a favorable effect on broiler growth and health by safeguarding human health from the negative effects of antibiotic residue in broiler products.

Dietary Protected Sodium Butyrate and/or Olive Leaf and Grape-Based By-Product Supplementation Modifies Productive Performance, Antioxidant Status and Meat Quality in Broilers.

To meet the demand for chicken meat production, new additives that promote growth and health without adverse effects on meat quality are being investigated. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of protected sodium butyrate (PSB) (0 vs. 2 g/kg), an olive leaf and grape-based by-product (OLG-mix), or a combined supplementation of PSB and OLG-mix on productive performance, antioxidant status, carcass, and meat quality in broilers. PSB improved performance parameters with greater effect in the initial phase. Both, PSB and OLG-mix increased the plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD); however, PSB supplementation was more effective to delay the lipid oxidation of meat from the initial day of storage. OLG-mix produced meat with greater color intensity, b* value and lesser drip losses than PSB. The combination of PSB + OLG-mix did not produce more marked effects that the individual administration; except to control the oxidation of meat. Linear and positive correlations between antioxidant enzymes and weight gain were observed. Significant linear and negative relationships were quantified between plasma SOD and meat lipid oxidation according to dietary treatment. Therefore, the present study would be a first approximation to the possibilities for predicting growth range and meat quality through the evaluation of the blood oxidative status.

Application of Baltic Pine (Pinus sylvestris) Needle Extract as a Gut Microbiota-Modulating Feed Supplement for Domestic Chickens (Gallus gallus).

The valorization of wood industry residues is very desirable from a circular economy perspective. Pine needle extracts are known for their health-promoting properties and therefore can be used as herbal remedies and nutritional supplements. Since the withdrawal of antibiotics as growth promoters in the European Union, natural feed additives that improve poultry health and production are needed. It was proposed that pine needle extract could be a good alternative to antibiotic usage at sub-therapeutic concentrations. The results relevant to our assumption could be obtained by using domestic chickens as an in vivo model for the evaluation of gut microbiota-altering properties of pine needle extract as an herbal supplement. We tested the antimicrobial effects of Baltic pine (Pinus sylvestris) needle extract. Then, we used chicken (Gallus gallus) that received feed supplemented with two different concentrations of the extract for 40 days to evaluate the changes in gut microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This preliminary study demonstrated trends toward dose-dependent desirable changes in broiler microbiome, such as a reduction in the relative abundance of Campylobacter.

Nutraceutical Effects of Justicia carnea Leaf Powder Supplementations on Performance, Blood Indices, Heat Shock Protein 70, Oxidative Deoxyribonucleic Acid Damage Biomarkers and Intestinal Microbes of Broiler Chickens, Under Tropical Condition.

The main reason preventing broiler chickens from reaching their genetic potential and hurting their performance in the tropics is heat stress. This study aimed to ascertain how Justicia carnea leaf powder (JLP) supplementation affects broiler chickens' performance, blood indices, antioxidant status, and gut microflora in tropical environments. A completely randomized method was used to assign 240 Cobb 500 broiler chicks to the experimental diets (6 replicates per diet, 10 birds per replication). Diet 1 included no supplement (negative control), diet 2 included 200 mg/kg vitamin C (positive control), diet 3 included 2,500 mg/kg JLP, and diet 4 included 5,000 mg/kg JLP. On day 42, the body weight gain (BWG) of the birds fed on diet 4 was significantly higher than those on diet 1. The packed cell volume, red blood cell count, and hemoglobin concentration of the birds fed on diets 3 and 4 were significantly higher than those of the control (P<0.05). The serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and cholesterol were lower in birds fed on diets 3 and 4, compared to those on diet 1 (P<0.05). The serum heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were lower in birds fed on diets 3 and 4, compared to those on diet 1 (P<0.05). The lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB) population was higher in birds fed on diets 3 and 4, compared to those on diet 1(P<0.05). However, the Coliform bacteria population was reduced in birds fed on diets 3 and 4, compared to those on diet 1. The 2,500 and 5,000 mg/kg JLP dietary supplementations enhanced BWG, improved erythrogram indices, and reduced blood AST, ALT, cholesterol, HSP 70, 8-OHdG, and caeca Coliform population but increased the caeca LAB population.

Exploration of Zingiber officinale effects on growth performance, immunity and gut morphology in broilers / Exploração dos efeitos do Zingiber officinale no desempenho de crescimento, imunidade e morfologia intestinal em frangos de corte

The current study aimed to determine the effects of different levels of Zingiber officinale as a herbal feed additive on growth performance, carcass characteristic, serum biochemistry, total bacterial count (TBC), gut morphology, and immunological parameters of broilers. A total of 1500, day-old broiler chicks (Hubbard) were equally accredited to five treatment groups, each with six replicates (50 birds/replicate). Five experimental diets were prepared using basal diet i.e. with antibiotics positive control (PC), 3 g/kg ginger (group A), 6 g/kg ginger (group B), 9 g/kg ginger (group C) and without antibiotics negative control (NC). Group A and C showed significantly (p<0.05) higher feed intake (FI) as compared to other groups. Group C showed significantly (p<0.05) lower Total bacterial count (TBC) followed by group B as compared to NC. Carcass characteristics showed non-significant effects among different treatments. Mean villi length and width were significantly (p <0.05) higher in all ginger supplemented groups as compared to the control groups. Blood serum parameters including cholesterol, triglycerides, and low density lipoproteins (LDL) were significantly (p<0.05) lower in groups B and C in comparison with the control groups. Whereas high-density lipoproteins (HDL) was significantly higher in group B as compared to the others. In conclusion, ginger supplementation @0.6% in the basal diet significantly improved growth performance and gut morphometry of broilers. It also showed a positive impact on cholesterol, triglycerides and gut microbes. Therefore, ginger could be a better substitute for antibiotic growth promoters.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de Zingiber officinale como aditivo à base de plantas medicinais sobre o desempenho de crescimento, características da carcaça, bioquímica sérica, contagem bacteriana total (CBT), morfologia intestinal e parâmetros imunológicos de frangos de corte. Um total de 1.500 pintos de corte de um dia de idade (Hubbard) foram igualmente credenciados em cinco grupos de tratamento, cada um com seis repetições (50 aves/repetição). Cinco dietas experimentais foram preparadas usando dieta basal, ou seja, com controle positivo de antibióticos (PC), 3 g/kg de gengibre (grupo A), 6 g/kg de gengibre (grupo B), 9 g/kg de gengibre (grupo C) e sem controle negativo de antibióticos (NC). Os grupos A e C apresentaram consumo de ração (FI) significativamente (p < 0,05) maior do que os outros grupos. O grupo C apresentou contagem bacteriana total (CBT) significativamente menor (p < 0,05) seguido pelo grupo B em comparação com o NC. As características da carcaça apresentaram efeitos não significativos entre os diferentes tratamentos. O comprimento e largura médios das vilosidades foram significativamente (p < 0,05) maiores em todos os grupos suplementados com gengibre em comparação com os grupos de controle. Os parâmetros séricos do sangue, incluindo colesterol, triglicerídeos e lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL), foram significativamente (p < 0,05) menores nos grupos B e C em comparação com os grupos controle. Enquanto as lipoproteínas de alta densidade (HDL) foram significativamente maiores no grupo B em comparação com os outros. Em conclusão, a suplementação de gengibre a 0,6% na dieta basal melhorou significativamente o desempenho de crescimento e a morfometria intestinal de frangos de corte. Ele também mostrou um impacto positivo sobre o colesterol, triglicerídeos e micróbios intestinais. Portanto, o gengibre pode ser um substituto melhor para os promotores de crescimento com antibióticos.