Holo-analysis of the effects of xylo-oligosaccharides on broiler chicken performance.

1. Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) stimulate proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens. This results in enhanced utilisation of dietary non-starch polysaccharides and increased production of valuable short-chain fatty acids. However, these positive effects do not always translate into improved bird productive performance, with inconsistent performance responses observed between bird trials.2. A holo-analysis was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing XOS into broiler diets on bird feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion and mortality. This was done by comparing the XOS supplemented treatment to the control treatment. A total of 53 studies which met the criteria for inclusion were used in the analysis.3. The results showed that XOS had a notable positive impact on bird mortality; XOS reduced mortality by 0.69% for every 1% increment in the control group. XOS supplementation induced a positive effect on the feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, the efficacy of XOS at improving FCR was dependent on the efficiency of the control group (performance of the flock), and the concentration of total arabinoxylan, protein and phytase in the diet. There were insufficient data points to predict the effect of XOS on body weight and feed intake.4. In conclusion, the holo-analysis revealed that supplementing XOS to broiler chicken diets reduces bird mortality. XOS can also improve FCR, but the scale of response is dependent on the diet composition and control flock performance. Additional studies are required to confirm the effects of XOS on body weight and feed intake.

Broiler chicken response to xylanase and fermentable xylooligosaccharide supplementation.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary fiber (DF), xylanase (XYL), xylooligosaccharides (XOS), and a combination of XYL and xylooligosaccharides (STBIO) on chicken growth performance, N-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn), and nutrient availability, characteristics of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and cecal content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). A 35-day experiment was performed on 1,920 as hatched Ross 308 broiler chicks, reared in 96 pens and fed ad libitum. Experimental diets were split into 2 phases: starter (0-21 d) and finisher (22-35 d). There were 2 basal diets, first contained 54% maize and in the second, 5% of the maize was replaced by wheat bran as DF. The diets were split into 4 batches: one of them was used as a control, and each of the others were supplemented either with XYL or XOS or with the STBIO. Each diet was fed to 12 pens following randomization. The data were analyzed in GenStat (20th edition) by ANOVA using a 2 × 4 factorial design. The addition of STBIO improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and increased weight gain (WG) from 21 to 35 d and from 0 to 35 d (P < 0.05). The inclusion of DF had a negative effect on N and fat retention coefficients at 35 d as well as AMEn and dry matter retention at 21 and 35 d. At 21 d, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) retention was increased when xylanase and STBIO were added to the diet (P < 0.001) and at d 35 the highest retention was noted when the diet was supplemented with DF and XYL or STBIO (P = 0.001). There was no dietary effect on jejunum histomorphometry (P > 0.05). The addition of DF increased the concentration of cecal SCFA in particular valeric and propionic acid at 35-day-old birds (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that addition of STBIO in diet could provide benefits in terms of fiber degradation, WG, and feed efficiency.

Impact of fermentable fiber, xylo-oligosaccharides and xylanase on laying hen productive performance and nutrient utilization.

This study evaluated the impact of feeding xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS), fermentable fiber in the form of wheat bran (WB), and xylanase (XYL) on laying hen productive performance and nutrient digestibility. The hypothesis was that the WB would provide the microbiota in the hindgut with fermentable dietary xylan, and the XOS and XYL would further upregulate xylan fermentation pathways, resulting in improved nutrient utilization. Isa Brown hens (n = 96) were obtained at 39 wk of age. They were fed 12 dietary treatments, 8 hens per treatment, for 56 d. A commercial laying hen ration was fed, and for half of the treatments 10% of this ration was directly replaced with WB. The diets were then supplemented with either 1) no supplements; 2) XOS 50 g/t; 3) XOS 2000 g/t; 4) XYL (16,000 BXU/kg); 5) XYL + XOS 50 g/t, or 6) XYL + XOS 2,000 g/t. Hen performance and egg quality were measured every 14 d. On d56, ileum digesta samples were collected for determination of starch, nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP), XOS, protein, energy, and starch digestibility. Ceca digesta samples were also collected for analysis of XOS, short chain fatty acid (SCFA), xylanase and cellulase activity and microbial counts. Feeding 2,000 g/t XOS increased ileal protein digestibility. Combined 2,000 g/t XOS and XYL increased cecal Bifidobacteria concentration. This combination also increased cecal xylanase activity in birds fed the control diet. Cecal cellulase activity was improved by feeding WB, XYL, and 2,000 g/t XOS. XYL increased cecal lactate production. Feeding 2,000 g/t XOS with WB increased insoluble NSP degradability and shell breaking strength at d56. In summary, supplementing laying hen diets with fermentable fiber, XYL and XOS increases utilization of dietary xylan, improving nutrient utilization, performance, and gastrointestinal health.

Growth performance and total tract digestibility in broiler chickens fed different corn hybrids.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the variability in nutrient digestibility associated with corn genetic background and its influence on the feeding value for broiler chickens. A total of 960 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were distributed in eight treatments, with 12 pens per treatment and 10 birds per pen in a 42-day study. Eight corn samples (Variety 1 to Variety 8) were selected based on their nutrient composition. A fixed amount of each corn (577 g/kg in the starter diets and 662 g/kg in the finisher diets) was used to formulate feeds. Diets were offered ad libitum in pellet form. Performance parameters were determined at d 21 and d 42, and excreta samples collected at d 21 to determine energy, organic matter and dry matter (DM) whole-tract digestibility. The results revealed a decrease (P < 0.05) in body weight (BW) and feed intake in birds fed variety 8 compared to other varieties at d 21. The lowest whole tract DM and energy apparent digestibility were also observed for the variety 8 diet (P < 0.05), together with varieties 3 and 5. Energy digestibility was higher in varieties 2, 4 and 7 (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that corn protein concentration was positively correlated with vitreousness (r = 0.60, P = 0.054) and the arabinose:xylose ratio (r = 0.67, P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with starch (r = -0.62, P < 0.05). Soluble non-starch polysaccharide content was negatively correlated with the protein solubility index (r = -0.88, P < 0.05). In addition, corn protein concentration was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with 21-d BW (r = -0.71) and weight gain (r = -0.62). In conclusion, the corn genetic background influenced the nutrient digestibility and growth performance of broiler chickens. The content and nature of the non-starch polysaccharides were found to be two of the main factors affecting the solubility and availability of nutrients in corn, and could be the reason for the negative effects on the performance of broiler chickens as shown in the present study.

Short-chain fatty acids and ceca microbiota profiles in broilers and turkeys in response to diets supplemented with phytase at varying concentrations, with or without xylanase.

Two independent studies were performed, each with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement to compare the response in broilers and turkeys to phytase and xylanase supplementation on cecal fermentation and microbial populations. For both studies, 960 Ross 308 and 960 BUT 10 (1-day-old) were allocated to 1 of 6 experimental treatments: (1) control diet, containing the standard dose (100 g/ton) of phytase (STD-Xyl); (2) the control diet with 100 g/ton of xylanase (STD + Xyl); (3) the control diet supplemented on top with 2 fold the standard dose of phytase (200 g/ton), also referred as superdosing (SD-Xyl); (4) the superdosed diet with 100 g/ton of xylanase (SD + Xyl); (5) the control diet supplemented with 5-fold the standard dose of phytase (500 g/ton), also referred as megadosing (MD-Xyl); and (6) the megadosed diet with 100 g/ton of xylanase (MD + Xyl). Each treatment had 8 replicates of 20 animals. Broiler and turkey diets, based on wheat, soybean meal, rapeseed, and barley, and water were available ad libitum. On day 28, the cecal contents from 5 birds per pen were collected. The profile of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and microbiome structure (by % guanidine and cytosine [G + C] method) were analyzed. Selected % G + C fractions were used for 16S rDNA sequencing for the identification of bacteria. No treatment effects were noted on SCFA concentrations in either broilers or turkeys. Broilers fed MD diets had greater proportions of unclassified Clostridiales, Mollicutes (RF9) and Faecalibacterium. Xylanase supplementation in broilers resulted in lower proportions of Lactobacillus but increased Mollicutes (RF9), unclassified Ruminococcus, unclassified Clostridiales, and Bifidobacterium. The microbiome in turkeys was unaffected by phytase supplementation, but xylanase supplementation increased the proportions of Lachnospiraceae (Incertae sedis), Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium. Supplementation of turkey diets with increasing doses of phytase did not affect the cecal microbiota in contrast to what was observed in broilers. In contrast, xylanase supplementation in both species led to significant changes in the microbial populations, suggesting a positive influence through the provision of oligosaccharides.

Comparative aspects of phytase and xylanase effects on performance, mineral digestibility, and ileal phytate degradation in broilers and turkeys.

Two experiments were performed, using broilers or turkeys, each utilizing a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement, to compare their response to phytase and xylanase supplementation with growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and ileal phytate degradation as response criteria. For both experiments, 960 Ross 308 or 960 BUT 10 (0-day-old) birds were allocated to 6 treatments: (1) control diet, containing phytase at 500 FTU/kg; (2) the control diet with xylanase (16,000 BXU/kg); (3) the control diet supplemented on top with phytase (1,500 FTU/kg); (4) diet supplemented with 1,500 FTU/kg phytase and xylanase (16,000 BXU/kg); (5) the control diet supplemented with phytase (3,000 FTU/kg); and (6) diet supplemented with 3,000 FTU/kg phytase and xylanase (16,000 BXU/kg). Each treatment had 8 replicates of 20 birds each. Water and diets based on wheat, soybean meal, oilseed rape meal, and barley were available ad libitum. Body weight gain and feed intake were measured from 0 to 28 D, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) corrected for mortality was calculated. Ileal digestibility for dry matter and minerals on day 7 and 28 were analyzed in addition to levels of inositol phosphate esters (InsP6-3) and myo-inositol. Statistical comparisons were performed using ANOVA. Xylanase supplementation improved 28D FCR in broilers and turkeys. Increasing doses of phytase reduced FI and improved FCR only in broilers. In broilers, the age × phytase interaction for phosphorous digestibility showed that increasing phytase dose was more visible on day 7, than on day 28. Mineral digestibility was lower in 28-day-old turkey compared with 7-day-old turkey. InsP6 disappearance increased with increasing phytase levels in both species, with lower levels analyzed in turkeys. InsP6 disappearance was greater in younger turkeys (day 7 compared with day 28). In conclusion, although broilers and turkeys shared several similarities in their growth and nutrient utilization responses, the outcomes of the 2 trials also differed in many aspects. Whether this is because of difference in diets (InsP or Ca level) or differences between species needs further investigation.

Response of broiler chickens to xylanase and butyrate supplementation.

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was used to evaluate the effect of xylanase and sodium butyrate supplementation on performance, intestinal fermentation, histology, and morphometry in broiler chickens. A total of 384 Ross 308 broiler chicks (1-day-old) were allocated to 4 experimental treatments: CTR (control diet), XYL (CTR diet with 16,000 BXU/kg of xylanase), BUT (CTR diet with 1 kg/t sodium butyrate), and XYL+BUT (CTR diet plus xylanase and sodium butyrate). Each treatment had 8 replicates of 12 animals. Starter and grower diets, based on wheat and soybean meal, and water were available ad libitum. Body weight gain and feed intake were measured from 0 to 42 D, and feed conversion ratio corrected for mortality (FCR) was calculated. The profile of short-chain fatty acids in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and ceca digesta on days 21 and 42 was analyzed in addition to the relative weights of the different portions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), and villus to crypt (VH: CD) ratio from the ileal tissue on day 42 were also evaluated. Statistical comparisons were performed using a 2-way ANOVA. Xylanase supplementation improved 42-D FCR by 5 points (P = 0.006), while butyrate did not affect 42-D FCR. On day 21, birds fed butyrate had heavier total GIT (P = 0.024), duodenum (P < 0.001), and jejunum (P = 0.025). Xylanase did not influence the relative weights in any intestinal section except the crop which was smaller in xylanase supplemented birds. At day 42, the VH: CD ratio was increased with sodium butyrate (P = 0.005). Supplementation of broiler diets with xylanase improved performance but had little effect on intestinal measures, whereas sodium butyrate influenced many of the intestinal indices with no consequence on animal performance.

Response of broiler chickens fed wheat-based diets to xylanase supplementation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of xylanase supplementation on performance, footpad score (FPS), nutrient digestibility, and intestinal morphometry in broiler chickens. Two-hundred-eighty-eight Ross 308 broiler chicks (one d old) were placed in one of 3 experimental treatments: positive control (PC), negative control (NC) (-150 kcal/kg), and XYL (NC supplemented with xylanase). Each treatment had 8 replicates with 12 animals each. Starter (zero to 21 d) and grower (21 to 42 d) diets, based on wheat and soy-bean meal, were available ad libitum. Body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake were measured, and mortality corrected feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. The relative weights of the empty gastrointestinal tract compartments and FPS were recorded on d 21 and d 42. On d 42, ileal contents were collected for nutrient digestibility determination. Statistical comparisons were performed using one-way ANOVA (JMP Pro 12). The reduction of energy resulted in lighter birds at the end of the study (PC: 2,710 vs. NC: 2,546 g; P = 0.030) whereas xylanase supplementation numerically increased BWG by 84 g (P = 0.229) and improved FCR by 12 points (P = 0.145) compared with the NC. Significant differences in FPS were observed on d 21. Score 0 (no lessions) was predominant in PC and XYL treatments, while score 1 (mild lesions) had a higher frequency in NC birds. Xylanase supplementation numerically increased organic matter (5.9%) and energy (4.7%) utilization with values above those observed with the NC. No treatment effects were observed in any of the morphometric measurements, with the exception of the gizzard (P = 0.036) and the ileum (P = 0.088) on d 42. Xylanase resulted in higher relative gizzard weights compared to NC (P = 0.102). Supplementation of broiler diets with xylanase tended to influence performance, which may be due to a better utilization of nutrients. The increase in gizzard and ileum weights in birds 42 d but not 21 d of age suggests an adaptive response that takes time to develop.

Lactulose and Lactobacillus plantarum, a potential complementary synbiotic to control postweaning colibacillosis in piglets.

The potential of a prebiotic oligosaccharide lactulose, a probiotic strain of Lactobacillus plantarum, or their synbiotic combination to control postweaning colibacillosis in pigs was evaluated using an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 oral challenge. Seventy-two weanlings were fed four diets: a control diet (CTR), that diet supplemented with L. plantarum (2 × 10(10) CFU · day(-1)) (LPN), that diet supplemented with 10 g · kg(-1) lactulose (LAC), or a combination of the two treatments (SYN). After 7 days, the pigs were orally challenged. Six pigs per treatment were euthanized on days 6 and 10 postchallenge (PC). Inclusion of lactulose improved the average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05) and increased lactobacilli (P < 0.05) and the percentage of butyric acid (P < 0.02) in the colon. An increase in the ileum villous height (P < 0.05) and a reduction of the pig major acute-phase protein (Pig-MAP) in serum (P < 0.01) were observed also. The inclusion of the probiotic increased numbers of L. plantarum bacteria in the ileum and colon (P < 0.05) and in the total lactobacilli in the colon and showed a trend to reduce diarrhea (P = 0.09). The concentrations of ammonia in ileal and colonic digesta were decreased (P < 0.05), and the villous height (P < 0.01) and number of ileal goblet cells (P < 0.05) increased, at day 10 PC. A decrease in plasmatic tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P < 0.01) was also seen. The positive effects of the two additives were combined in the SYN treatment, resulting in a complementary synbiotic with potential to be used to control postweaning colibacillosis.

Screening of extracts from natural feed ingredients for their ability to reduce enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 adhesion to porcine intestinal epithelial cell-line IPEC-J2.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 is the most prevalent enteropathogen in weaned piglets, with the ability to express fimbria F4 and specifically attach to intestinal receptors in the young piglet. The prevention of ETEC K88 adhesion to the epithelium by interfering in this fimbria-receptor recognition provides an alternative approach to prevent the initial stage of disease. The aim of this study is to screen, among different feed ingredients (FI), their ability to reduce ETEC K88 attachment to the porcine intestinal epithelial cell-line (IPEC-J2). The selected FI consisted of products of a vegetable or dairy origin, and microbial by-products, which could be suitable to be included in piglet's diet. Incubation of a mixture of each FI extract with the bacteria on IPEC-J2 monolayer was allowed. After washing with PBS to remove the non-adhered bacteria, the culture medium was added to grow the adhered bacteria and, simultaneously, to keep the cells alive. Then, the bacterial growth was monitored in a spectrophotometer reader for 12h. Casein glycomacropeptide (CGMP), locust bean (LB), exopolysaccharide (EPS) and wheat bran (WB) reduced the number of attached ETEC K88 to IPEC-J2, but no anti-adhesive effect was found for soybean hulls, sugar-beet pulp, locust gum, fructooligosaccharides, inulin, mushroom, mannanoligosaccharides or the fermented product from Aspergillus oryzae. The lineal analysis of dose responses demonstrated lineal activity (P<0.0001) for CGMP, LB, EPS and WB. These in vitro results suggest CGMP, LB, EPS and WB as good candidates to be included in piglet's diet with supported functional activity against colibacillosis.