Suitability of raw and heat-treated Amaranthus spinosus in broiler diets: Effects on growth performance, meat antioxidant capacity, haemato-biochemical parameters, intestinal histomorphometry, and cecal volatile fatty acid profile.

This study aimed to examine the effects of incorporating amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus, either raw or heat-treated) into broiler diets on growth performance, meat antioxidant capacity, haemato-biochemical parameters, intestinal histomorphometry, and cecal volatile fatty acid profile. A total of 210 male Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design, with each treatment comprising six replicates of seven birds each. The control group received a diet based on maize and soybean meal, while the remaining dietary groups were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric to the control, with exact levels of 10% and 20% raw or heat-treated amaranth in the diet. Body weight and feed intake were monitored on days 0, 10, 24, and 39 of the study. On day 39, two birds per replicate were randomly selected for blood sampling, followed by slaughtering for further parameter examination. Incorporating A. spinosus up to 20% in broiler diets had no adverse effect on body weight gain compared to the control. However, higher levels of amaranth led to a negative impact on the feed conversion ratio, attributed to increased feed intake. Furthermore, amaranth supplementation did not negatively influence carcass yield or various organ weights, except for the gizzard, which was heavier in the amaranth-fed groups. Notably, amaranth supplementation reduced abdominal fat, enhanced meat antioxidant status, and had no detrimental effects on blood biochemical or hematological indices. Additionally, amaranth feeding resulted in decreased blood triglyceride levels but had no effect on cholesterol levels. While heat treatment of amaranth did not significantly alter the performance of broiler chickens, it enhanced the beneficial effects of amaranth feeding on the histomorphological features of the duodenum and ileum, and increased blood IgG levels. The cecal volatile fatty acid profile remained largely unaffected by amaranth inclusion, although heat-treated amaranth led to increased levels of branched-chain fatty acids and valerate. Overall, the findings suggest A. spinosus as a promising alternative feed ingredient for broilers when included at 10% of the diet. However, further research is needed to investigate the effect of various amaranth species, processing methods and enzyme supplementation on poultry nutrition to expand its inclusion rate.

Smooth muscle electromyography for detecting major alterations in the estrus cycle in rats.

Determining the female animal cycle is crucial in preclinical studies and animal husbandry. Changes in hormone levels during the cycle affect physiological responses, including altered contractility of the visceral smooth muscle. The study aimed to identify estrus and anestrus using smooth muscle electromyographic (SMEMG) measurements, in vivo fluorescent imaging (IVIS) and in vitro organ contractility of the uterus and cecum. The study involved sexually mature female Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 10-12 weeks. The rats received a daily injection of cetrorelix acetate solution for 7 days, while another group served as the control. The animals were subjected to gastrointestinal and myometrial SMEMG. The change in αvß3 integrin activity was measured with IVIS in the abdominal cavity. Contractility studies were performed in isolated organ baths using dissected uterus and cecum samples. Plasma samples were collected for hormone level measurements. A 3-fold increase in spontaneous contraction activity was detected in SMEMG measurements, while a significant decrease in αvß3 integrin was measured in the IVIS imaging procedure. Cetrorelix reduced the level of LH and the progesterone / estradiol ratio, increased the spontaneous activity of the cecum rings, and enhanced KCl-evoked contractions in the uterus. We found a significant change in the rate of SMEMG signals, indicating simultaneous increases in the contraction of the cecum and the non-pregnant uterus, as evidenced by isolated organ bath results. Fluorescence imaging showed high levels of uterine αvß3 integrin during the proestrus-estrus phase, but inhibiting the sexual cycle reduced fluorescence activity. Based on the results, the SMEMG and IVIS imaging methods are suitable for detecting estrus phase alterations in rats.

Omentoplasty versus cecal mobilization after abdominoperineal resection: A propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the minimally invasive approach and early rehabilitation, abdominal-perineal resection (APR) remains a procedure with high morbidity, notably due to postoperative trapped bowel ileus and perineal healing complications. Several surgical techniques have been described for filling the pelvic void to prevent abscess formation and ileus by trapped bowel loop. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to compare the post APR complications for cancer of two of these techniques, omentoplasty and cecal mobilization, in a single-center study from an expert colorectal surgery center. PATIENTS: From 2012 to 2022, 84 patients were included, including 58 (69%) with omentoplasty and 26 (31%) with cecal mobilization. They all underwent APR at Bordeaux University Hospital Center. SETTINGS: A propensity score was used to avoid confounding factors as far as possible. Patient and procedure characteristics were initially comparable. RESULTS: The 30-day complication rate was significantly higher in the cecal mobilization group (53.8% vs. 5.2% p < 0.01), as was the rate of pelvic abscess (34.6% vs. 0% p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that, when feasible, omentoplasty should be considered the preferred method for pelvic reconstruction following APR.

Acutalibacter caecimuris sp. nov., Acutalibacter intestini sp. nov. and Neglectibacter caecimuris sp. nov., three novel species of the family Oscillospiraceae isolated from caecal contents of C57BL/6J mice.

The intestines of mice are colonized by diverse, as-yet-uncultivated bacteria. In this report, we describe the isolation, culture, genotypic and phenotypic characterization, as well as taxonomic classification of three novel anaerobic bacterial strains derived from the caecal contents of C57BL/6J male mice. According to the phenotypic and genotype-based polyphasic taxonomy, we propose three novel species within the family Oscillospiraceae. They are Acutalibacter caecimuris sp. nov. (type strain M00118T=CGMCC 1.18042T=KCTC 25739T), Acutalibacter intestini sp. nov. (type strain M00204T=CGMCC 1.18044T=KCTC 25741T) and Neglectibacter caecimuris sp. nov. (type strain M00184T=CGMCC 1.18043T=KCTC 25740T).

Comparative genomics of quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli from broilers and humans in Norway.

BACKGROUND: The usage of fluoroquinolones in Norwegian livestock production is very low, including in broiler production. Historically, quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli (QREC) isolated from Norwegian production animals rarely occur. However, with the introduction of a selective screening method for QREC in the Norwegian monitoring programme for antimicrobial resistance in the veterinary sector in 2014; 89.5% of broiler caecal samples and 70.7% of broiler meat samples were positive. This triggered the concern if there could be possible links between broiler and human reservoirs of QREC. We are addressing this by characterizing genomes of QREC from humans (healthy carriers and patients) and broiler isolates (meat and caecum). RESULTS: The most frequent mechanism for quinolone resistance in both broiler and human E. coli isolates were mutations in the chromosomally located gyrA and parC genes, although plasmid mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) was also identified. There was some relatedness of the isolates within human and broiler groups, but little between these two groups. Further, some overlap was seen for isolates with the same sequence type isolated from broiler and humans, but overall, the SNP distance was high. CONCLUSION: Based on data from this study, QREC from broiler makes a limited contribution to the incidence of QREC in humans in Norway.

Ad libitum feeding of silkworm larvae powder-containing diets specifically influences metabolism-related and short-chain fatty acid-producing gut bacteria in mice.

Silkworm (Bombyx mori) larvae are expected to be useful as an ingredient in entomophagy. They are full of nutrients, including indigestible proteins; however, there have been few studies on the effects of the consumption of the entire body of silkworms on the intestinal microflora. We prepared a customized diet containing silkworm larval powder (SLP), and investigated the effects of ad libitum feeding of the SLP diet on the intestinal microbiota and the amount of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in mice. We found that the diversity of the cecal and fecal microbiota increased in the mice fed the SLP diet (SLP group), and that the composition of their intestinal microbiota differed from that of the control mice. Furthermore, a genus-level microbiota analysis showed that in the SLP group, the proportions of Alistipes, Lachnospiraceae A2, and RF39, which are associated with the prevention of obesity, were significantly increased, while the proportions of Helicobacter and Anaerotruncus, which are associated with obesity, were significantly decreased. Additionally, the level of butyrate was increased in the SLP group, and Clostridia UCG 014 and Lachnospiraceae FCS020 were found to be associated with the level of butyrate, one of the major SCFAs. These findings indicated that silkworm powder may be useful as an insect food that might also improve obesity.

Comprehensive analysis of key host gene-microbe networks in the cecum tissues of the obese rabbits induced by a high-fat diet.

The Cecum is a key site for cellulose digestion in nutrient metabolism of intestine, but its mechanisms of microbial and gene interactions has not been fully elucidated during pathogenesis of obesity. Therefore, the cecum tissues of the New Zealand rabbits and their contents between the high-fat diet-induced group (Ob) and control group (Co) were collected and analyzed using multi-omics. The metagenomic analysis indicated that the relative abundances of Corallococcus_sp._CAG:1435 and Flavobacteriales bacterium species were significantly lower, while those of Akkermansia glycaniphila, Clostridium_sp._CAG:793, Mycoplasma_sp._CAG:776, Mycoplasma_sp._CAG:472, Clostridium_sp._CAG:609, Akkermansia_sp._KLE1605, Clostridium_sp._CAG:508, and Firmicutes_bacterium_CAG:460 species were significantly higher in the Ob as compared to those in Co. Transcriptomic sequencing results showed that the differentially upregulated genes were mainly enriched in pathways, including calcium signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and Wnt signaling pathway, while the differentially downregulated genes were mainly enriched in pathways of NF-kappaB signaling pathway and T cell receptor signaling pathway. The comparative analysis of metabolites showed that the glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism and cysteine and methionine metabolism were the important metabolic pathways between the two groups. The combined analysis showed that CAMK1, IGFBP6, and IGFBP4 genes were highly correlated with Clostridium_sp._CAG:793, and Akkermansia_glycaniphila species. Thus, the preliminary study elucidated the microbial and gene interactions in cecum of obese rabbit and provided a basis for further studies in intestinal intervention for human obesity.

Morphomolecular identification of heavy parasitic typhlitis in layer flocks: tissue response and cell-mediated reaction.

BACKGROUND: Heterakis gallinarum (H. gallinarum) is a common poultry parasite that can be found in the ceca of many gallinaceous bird species, causing minor pathology and reduced weight gain. Most infections go unnoticed in commercial flocks due to the dependence on fecal egg counts, which are prone to false-negative diagnoses. Furthermore, there is a lack of research on gastrointestinal nematodes that use molecular identification methods, which could be essential for rapid diagnosis and developing efficient control approaches. As a result, the study aimed to look at the cause of mortality in layer chickens induced by H. gallinarum in Egyptian poultry farms using morphological, ultrastructural, and molecular characterization. Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and cell-mediated immune responses from damaged cecal tissues were also examined. RESULTS: Seventy bird samples from ten-layer flocks of different breeds (Native, white, and brown layers) suffering from diarrhea, decreased egg output, and emaciation were collected. Cecal samples were collected from affected and non-affected birds and were examined for parasitic diseases using light and a scanning electron microscope. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (COX1) gene was used to characterize H. gallinarum. Our results showed that the collected nematodal worms were identified as H. gallinarum (male and female), further confirmed by COX1 gene amplification and sequence alignment. Gene expression analysis of the inflammatory markers in infected tissues showed a significant up-regulation of IL-2, IFN-γ, TLR-4, and IL-1ß and a significant down-regulation of the anti-inflammatory IL-10. The mRNA level of the apoptotic cas-3 revealed apoptotic activity among the H. gallinarum samples compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results implemented the use of molecular methods for the diagnosis of Heterakis, and this is the first report showing the tissue immune response following infection in layers: upregulation of IL-1ß, IFN-γ, Il-2, and TLR-4, while down-regulation of anti-inflammatory IL-10 in cecal tissue, Cas-3 apoptotic activity and Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)activity with immunophenotyping of T-cells in Heterakis infected tissue.

Altitude-dependent agro-ecologies impact the microbiome diversity of scavenging indigenous chicken in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Scavenging indigenous village chickens play a vital role in sub-Saharan Africa, sustaining the livelihood of millions of farmers. These chickens are exposed to vastly different environments and feeds compared to commercial chickens. In this study, we analysed the caecal microbiota of 243 Ethiopian village chickens living in different altitude-dependent agro-ecologies. RESULTS: Differences in bacterial diversity were significantly correlated with differences in specific climate factors, topsoil characteristics, and supplemental diets provided by farmers. Microbiota clustered into three enterotypes, with one particularly enriched at high altitudes. We assembled 9977 taxonomically and functionally diverse metagenome-assembled genomes. The vast majority of these were not found in a dataset of previously published chicken microbes or in the Genome Taxonomy Database. CONCLUSIONS: The wide functional and taxonomic diversity of these microbes highlights their importance in the local adaptation of indigenous poultry, and the significant impacts of environmental factors on the microbiota argue for further discoveries in other agro-ecologies. Video Abstract.

The impact of hysterectomy on subsequent colonoscopy in women with Lynch Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Women with Lynch Syndrome (LS) have a high risk of colorectal and endometrial cancer. They are recommended regular colonoscopies, and some choose prophylactic hysterectomy. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of hysterectomy on subsequent colonoscopy in these women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 219 LS women >30 years of age registered in the clinical registry at Section for Hereditary Cancer, Oslo University Hospital, were included. Data included hysterectomy status, other abdominal surgeries, and time of surgery. For colonoscopies, data were collected on cecal intubation rate, challenges, and level of pain. Observations in women with and without hysterectomy, and pre- and post-hysterectomy were compared. RESULTS: Cecal intubation rate was lower in women with hysterectomy than in those without (119/126 = 94.4% vs 88/88 = 100%, p = 0.025). Multivariate regression analysis showed an increased risk of challenging colonoscopies (OR,3.58; CI: 1.52-8.43; p = 0.003), and indicated a higher risk of painful colonoscopy (OR, 3.00; 95%CI: 0.99-17.44, p = 0.052), in women with hysterectomy compared with no hysterectomy. Comparing colonoscopy before and after hysterectomy, we also found higher rates of reported challenging colonoscopies post-hysterectomy (6/69 = 8.7% vs 23/69 = 33.3%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Women with hysterectomy had a lower cecal intubation rate and a higher number of reported challenging colonoscopy than women with no hysterectomy. However, completion rate in the hysterectomy group was still as high as 94.4%. Thus, LS women who consider hysterectomy should not be advised against it.

Region-Specific Effects of Metformin on Gut Microbiome and Metabolome in High-Fat Diet-Induced Type 2 Diabetes Mouse Model.

The glucose-lowering drug metformin alters the composition of the gut microbiome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and other diseases. Nevertheless, most studies on the effects of this drug have relied on fecal samples, which provide limited insights into its local effects on different regions of the gut. Using a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mouse model of T2DM, we characterize the spatial variability of the gut microbiome and associated metabolome in response to metformin treatment. Four parts of the gut as well as the feces were analyzed using full-length sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and targeted metabolomic analyses, thus providing insights into the composition of the microbiome and associated metabolome. We found significant differences in the gut microbiome and metabolome in each gut region, with the most pronounced effects on the microbiomes of the cecum, colon, and feces, with a significant increase in a variety of species belonging to Akkermansiaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Tannerellaceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae. Metabolomics analysis showed that metformin had the most pronounced effect on microbiome-derived metabolites in the cecum and colon, with several metabolites, such as carbohydrates, fatty acids, and benzenoids, having elevated levels in the colon; however, most of the metabolites were reduced in the cecum. Thus, a wide range of beneficial metabolites derived from the microbiome after metformin treatment were produced mainly in the colon. Our study highlights the importance of considering gut regions when understanding the effects of metformin on the gut microbiome and metabolome.

The effect and potential mechanism of inulin combined with fecal microbiota transplantation on early intestinal immune function in chicks.

Our previous research found that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and inulin synergistically affected the intestinal barrier and immune system function in chicks. However, does it promote the early immunity of the poultry gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT)? How does it regulate the immunity? We evaluated immune-related indicators in the serum, cecal tonsil, and intestine to determine whether FMT synergistic inulin had a stronger impact on gut health and which gene expression regulation was affected. The results showed that FMT synergistic inulin increased TGF-ß secretion and intestinal goblet cell number and MUC2 expression on day 14. Expression of BAFFR, PAX5, CXCL12, and IL-2 on day 7 and expression of CXCR4 and IL-2 on day 14 in the cecal tonsils significantly increased. The transcriptome indicated that CD28 and CTLA4 were important regulatory factors in intestinal immunity. Correlation analysis showed that differential genes were related to the immunity and development of the gut and cecal tonsil. FMT synergistic inulin promoted the development of GALT, which improved the early-stage immunity of the intestine by regulating CD28 and CTLA4. This provided new measures for replacing antibiotic use and reducing the use of therapeutic drugs while laying a technical foundation for achieving anti-antibiotic production of poultry products.

Competitive exclusion products as an antimicrobial alternative to control Salmonella Heidelberg in broilers.

Intestinal infections caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella spp., along with antimicrobial resistance spread are a major food safety concern worldwide. Here, we evaluate the potential of competitive exclusion products developed by anaerobic or aerobic conditions to control systemic infection, cecal colonization, fecal excretion, and improve the intestinal health in broilers challenged by Salmonella Heidelberg (SH). A total of 105 day-old chickens were randomly distributed into three experimental groups: A (untreated control), B (treated with anaerobic culture), and C (treated with aerobic culture). During 21 days, morphometric parameters of the small intestine were analyzed using microscopy, fecal excretions by cloacal swabs, systemic infection, and cecal colonization by colony-forming unit counts (CFU/g). The results indicated the lowest number of positive swabs (45.33%) recovered from Group C, followed by Group B (71.8%) and Group A (85.33%). The bacterial enumeration revealed the lowest amounts in Group C at the necropsy realized in 5-, 7-, and 14-days post-infection (DPI) (P = 0.0010, P = 0.0048, and P = 0.0094, respectively). Statistical differences between intestinal morphometrics were observed in the Group C at 21 DPI. Our results suggest that the product developed under aerobic conditions can improve intestinal health, protecting birds against SH.

Stimbiotic and wheat bran inclusion in maize or wheat-based diets for broiler chickens; effects on jejunal histomorphology, digesta oligosaccharides and caecal short-chain fatty-acids profiles.

1. A stimbiotic (STB) is any feed additive that stimulates caeca fibre fermentation, although the additive itself contributes little to the caeca short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. A 42 d experiment investigated the interactive effects of STB and wheat bran (WB) in broiler chickens receiving maize or wheat-based diets.2. The treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial (eight replicates each), the dietary factors being diet (maize-SBM or wheat-SBM), STB (with or without) and WB (0 or 50 g/kg). Jejunal tissue, gizzard, jejunal and ileal digesta and caecal contents were collected on d 18 and 42.3. Gizzard pH tended to decrease with STB (p = 0.06) supplementation and was lower in birds fed wheat- compared to maize-based diets on d 18 (p < 0.05). Birds receiving diets with WB had higher jejunum pH on d 18 (p < 0.05).4. Total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the caeca on d 18 and isobutyrate on d 42 were higher (p < 0.05) for maize compared with wheat-based diets. However, on d 42, acetate, butyrate and total SCFA were higher (p < 0.05) for wheat-based compared with maize-based diets.5. On d 18, STB and WB inclusion increased villi height (VH; p < 0.05) and VH to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD), respectively (p < 0.05). On d 42, VH (p < 0.05) and VH/CD were higher in wheat-based diets (p < 0.05). The VH/CD ratio was lower with STB supplementation (p < 0.05). Marker-corrected pentose oligosaccharides (Pent)4 and (Pent)5 concentrations in the ileal digesta were reduced (p < 0.05) with STB supplementation. In addition, STB decreased (Pent)3 concentration in maize-, but not wheat-based diets (p < 0.05).6. In conclusion, both WB and STB influenced gastrointestinal pH and jejunum histomorphology of broilers without increasing oligosaccharide concentration in the ileum and SCFA in the caeca.

[Impact of cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis on the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis on the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells. METHODS: (1) Animal experiment: sixteen male C57BL/6 mice were divided into sham operation group (Sham group) and CLP-induced sepsis model group (CLP group) by random number table method, with 8 mice in each group. After 5 days of operation, the jejunal tissues were taken for determination of leucine-rich-repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) and intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The translation of LGR5 was detected by Western blotting. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Ki67) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. IAP level was detected by modified calcium cobalt staining and colorimetry. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of Paneth cell marker molecule lysozyme 1 (LYZ1) and goblet cell marker molecule mucin 2 (MUC2). (2) Cell experiment: IEC6 cells in logarithmic growth stage were divided into blank control group and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group (LPS 5 µg/mL). Twenty-four hours after treatment, PCR and Western blotting were used to analyze the transcription and translation of LGR5. The proliferation of IEC6 cells were detected by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining. The transcription and translation of IAP were detected by PCR and colorimetric method respectively. RESULTS: (1) Animal experiment: the immunohistochemical results showed that the positive rate of Ki67 staining in the jejunal tissue of CLP group was lower than that of Sham group [(41.7±2.5)% vs. (48.7±1.4)%, P = 0.01]. PCR and Western blotting results showed that there were no statistical differences in the mRNA and protein expressions of LGR5 in the jejunal tissue between the CLP group and Sham group (Lgr5 mRNA: 0.7±0.1 vs. 1.0±0.2, P = 0.11; LGR5/ß-actin: 0.83±0.17 vs. 0.68±0.19, P = 0.24). The mRNA (0.4±0.1 vs. 1.0±0.1, P < 0.01) and protein (U/g: 47.3±6.0 vs. 73.1±15.3, P < 0.01) levels of IAP in the jejunal tissue were lower in CLP group. Immunofluorescence saining analysis showed that the expressions of LYZ1 and MUC2 in the CLP group were lower than those in the Sham group. (2) Cell experiment: PCR and Western blotting results showed that there was no significant difference in the expression of LGR5 between the LPS group and the blank control group (Lgr5 mRNA: 0.9±0.1 vs. 1.0±0.2, P = 0.33; LGR5/ß-actin: 0.71±0.18 vs. 0.69±0.04, P = 0.81). The proliferation rate of IEC6 cells in the LPS group was lower than that in the blank control group, but there was no significant difference [positivity rate of EdU: (40.5±3.8)% vs. (46.5±3.6)%, P = 0.11]. The mRNA (0.5±0.1 vs. 1.0±0.2, P < 0.01) and protein (U/g: 15.0±4.0 vs. 41.2±10.4, P < 0.01) of IAP in the LPS group were lower than those in the blank control group. CONCLUSIONS: CLP-induced sepsis inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells, impairing the self-renewal ability of intestinal epithelium.

Dietary α-linolenic acid supplementation enhances resistance to Salmonella Typhimurium challenge in chickens by altering the intestinal mucosal barrier integrity and cecal microbes.

Salmonella is an important foodborne pathogen. Given the ban on the use of antibiotics during the egg-laying period in China, finding safe and effective alternatives to antibiotics to reduce Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) infections in chickens is essential for the prevention and control of this pathogen and the protection of human health. Numerous studies have shown that unsaturated fatty acids have a positive effect on intestinal inflammation and resistance to infection by intestinal pathogens. Here we investigated the protective effect of α-linolenic acid (ALA) against S. Typhimurium infection in chickens and further explored its mechanism of action. We added different proportions of ALA to the feed and observed the effect of ALA on S. Typhimurium colonization using metagenomic sequencing technology and physiological index measurements. The role of gut flora on S. Typhimurium colonization was subsequently verified by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). We found that ALA protects chickens from S. Typhimurium infection by reducing intestinal inflammation through remodeling the gut microbiota, up-regulating the expression of ileocecal barrier-related genes, and maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelium. Our data suggest that supplementation of feed with ALA may be an effective strategy to alleviate S. Typhimurium infection in chickens.

A multi-omics dataset of the response to early plant polysaccharide ingestion in rabbits.

The transition from a milk-based diet to exclusive solid feeding deeply modifies microbiota-host crosstalk. Specifically, early ingestion of plant polysaccharides would be one of the main nutritional components to drive host-microbiota-interaction. To capture the effects of polysaccharides early-life nutrition (starch vs rapidly fermentable fiber) on the holobiont development, we investigated on the one hand the gut bacteriome and metabolome and on the other hand the transcriptome of two host gut tissues. Rabbit model was used to study post-natal co-development of the gut microbiota and its host around weaning transition. The assessment of the microbial composition of the gut appendix together with the caecum was provided for the first time. Gene expression signatures were analyzed along the gut (ileum and caecum) through high-throughput qPCR. The data collected were completed by the analysis of animal growth changes and time-series assessment of blood biomarkers. Those accessible and reusable data could help highlight the gut development dynamics as well as biological adaptation processes at the onset of solid feeding.

In Vivo Expression of Chicken Gut Anaerobes Identifies Carbohydrate- or Amino Acid-Utilising, Motile or Type VI Secretion System-Expressing Bacteria.

Complex gut microbiota increases chickens' resistance to enteric pathogens. However, the principles of this phenomenon are not understood in detail. One of the possibilities for how to decipher the role of gut microbiota in chickens' resistance to enteric pathogens is to systematically characterise the gene expression of individual gut microbiota members colonising the chicken caecum. To reach this aim, newly hatched chicks were inoculated with bacterial species whose whole genomic sequence was known. Total protein purified from the chicken caecum was analysed by mass spectrometry, and the obtained spectra were searched against strain-specific protein databases generated from known genomic sequences. Campylobacter jejuni, Phascolarctobacterium sp. and Sutterella massiliensis did not utilise carbohydrates when colonising the chicken caecum. On the other hand, Bacteroides, Mediterranea, Marseilla, Megamonas, Megasphaera, Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Escherichia coli and Succinatimonas fermented carbohydrates. C. jejuni was the only motile bacterium, and Bacteroides mediterraneensis expressed the type VI secretion system. Classification of in vivo expression is key for understanding the role of individual species in complex microbial populations colonising the intestinal tract. Knowledge of the expression of motility, the type VI secretion system, and preference for carbohydrate or amino acid fermentation is important for the selection of bacteria for defined competitive exclusion products.

Epithelial hypoxia maintains colonization resistance against Candida albicans.

Antibiotic treatment promotes the outgrowth of intestinal Candida albicans, but the mechanisms driving this fungal bloom remain incompletely understood. We identify oxygen as a resource required for post-antibiotic C. albicans expansion. C. albicans depleted simple sugars in the ceca of gnotobiotic mice but required oxygen to grow on these resources in vitro, pointing to anaerobiosis as a potential factor limiting growth in the gut. Clostridia species limit oxygen availability in the large intestine by producing butyrate, which activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) signaling to maintain epithelial hypoxia. Streptomycin treatment depleted Clostridia-derived butyrate to increase epithelial oxygenation, but the PPAR-γ agonist 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) functionally replaced Clostridia species to restore epithelial hypoxia and colonization resistance against C. albicans. Additionally, probiotic Escherichia coli required oxygen respiration to prevent a post-antibiotic bloom of C. albicans, further supporting the role of oxygen in colonization resistance. We conclude that limited access to oxygen maintains colonization resistance against C. albicans.

Silymarin effectively prevents and treats Eimeria tenella infection in chicks.

Silymarin, a botanical medicine derived from milk thistle seeds and is known to improve chicken growth and gut health when added to the feed. However, its role in the prevention and treatment of chicken coccidiosis remains unclear. This study investigated the efficacy of various doses of silymarin in preventing and treating Eimeria tenella infection in chicks. A total of 180 one-day-old specific pathogen-free chicks were randomized into six groups of 30 chicks each, no treatment (NC group); E. tenella infection (CC group); diclazuril medication during d 14 to 21 and E. tenella infection (DC group); and three groups infected with E. tenella and administered low, medium, or high doses of silymarin during d 12 to 21. All groups except NC were infected with E. tenella on d 14, with indicators observed on d 21. The growth performance was higher in the silymarin treated groups than that in the CC group, and the oocyst count per gram of manure, blood stool, and cecal lesion scores decreased. The medium-dose silymarin group exhibited the best treatment effect. Additionally, the silymarin groups displayed improved histological, morphology, and intestinal barrier integrity. The amounts of proinflammatory factors and harmful bacteria in the cecum were also reduced. Additionally, the activity of serum and cecal antioxidant enzymes, as well as the abundance of beneficial gut microbiota, increased in the cecum. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that silymarin can prevent and treat E. tenella infections. These data provide a scientific and conceptual basis for the development of a botanical dietary supplement from silymarin for the treatment and control of coccidiosis in chicks.