Impact of a direct-fed microbial supplementation on intestinal permeability and immune response in broiler chickens during a coccidia challenge.

Maintaining intestinal health supports optimal gut function and influences overall performance of broilers. Microlife® Prime (MLP) contains a unique combination of four strains of Bacillus spp. selected to support a healthy gut which may improve performance. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of MLP supplementation on intestinal health and immunity of broilers challenged with a mixed coccidia infection during peak [0 to 6-day post-infection (dpi)] and recovery phases (6 to 13 dpi). A total of 120 male, 4 days-old Ross 708, broiler chicks were allotted to 3 treatment groups (8 replicate cages; 5 birds/cage) in a randomized complete block design. Treatments included a non-challenge (NEG), a coccidia challenge (POS), and coccidia challenge fed MLP (5 × 105 CFU/g of diet). Diets were corn-soybean meal-based. At 11 days of age, all birds, except for NEG, were orally gavaged with 15 doses (3 × the recommended commercial dose). On 6, 9, and 13 dpi, birds were orally gavaged with fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate dextran (FITC-d). Plasma and mid-jejunum tissues were collected 2 h later. On 6 dpi, duodenal lesions from 2 birds/cage were scored and droppings were collected for oocyst enumeration. Body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated over the experimental period. Data were analyzed with GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. During the peak phase, POS birds had reduced BWG (23%) and FCR (15%) compared to NEG birds (P < 0.05), while birds fed MLP had similar BWG (209 and 208 g) and FCR (1.17 and 1.21) compared to NEG (P > 0.05). On 6 dpi, POS birds had higher lesion scores and oocyst shedding, 2 × increase in serum FITC-d, and higher jejunum IL-10, and IFN-γ mRNA compared to NEG (P < 0.05). Birds fed MLP had reduced plasma FITC-d compared to POS birds (P < 0.05) and similar IL-10 and IFN-γ mRNA. On 13 dpi, birds fed MLP had lower plasma FITC-d, jejunum IL-10 and IFN-γ mRNA compared to POS birds (P < 0.05), but similar IL-10 to NEG birds (P > 0.05). This study confirms MLP improves intestinal health and positively modulates mucosal immune response post-coccidia challenge.

Additivity of apparent and standardized ileal digestibility of amino acid determined by chromic oxide and titanium dioxide in mixed diets containing wheat and multiple protein sources fed to growing pigs.

The aim of this study was to investigate the additivity of apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) in mixed diets containing wheat, canola meal (CM), meat and bone meal (MBM), and sorghum distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) fed to pigs with chromic oxide (Cr2O3) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) as digestibility index markers. Four diets were prepared to contain wheat, CM, MBM, or DDGS as a sole source of nitrogen; three mixed diets were prepared to contain wheat, CM, and MBM; wheat, MBM, and DDGS; or wheat, CM, MBM, and DDGS; also, a nitrogen-free diet was prepared to estimate the basal ileal endogenous losses (BEL) of CP and AA. Both Cr2O3 and TiO2 were incorporated at 5 g/kg into each diet. Sixteen barrows (initial body weight = 34.7 ± 0.6 kg) surgically fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum were allotted to a duplicate 8 × 4 Youden square design with eight experimental diets and four periods. During each 7-d period, the ileal digesta was collected for 2 d after a 5-d adaptation, and the AID and SID of CP and AA were determined using Cr2O3 or TiO2 as marker. There was no interaction between diet and marker type for both AID and SID of CP and AA. Similar BEL, AID, and SID of CP and AA were determined by Cr2O3 and TiO2. In the wheat-CM-MBM diet, the measured AID of CP and most AA determined with Cr2O3 or TiO2 were not different from the predicted values, which was determined based on the measured AID values in wheat, CM, and MBM. In the wheat-MBM-DDGS diet, the measured and predicted AID of CP and seven indispensable AA differed (P < 0.05) using Cr2O3 as marker, and the measured and predicted AID of CP and four indispensable AA differed (P < 0.05) using TiO2 as marker. The measured AID of CP and most indispensable AA were greater (P < 0.05) than predicted AID regardless of marker type for the wheat-CM-MBM-DDGS diet. The measured SID of CP and indispensable AA were consistent with the predicted values, except Lys in the wheat-CM-MBM diet using either marker and His in the wheat-MBM-DDGS diet with Cr2O3 as marker. In conclusion, more accurate prediction of ileal digestibility of CP and AA was achieved using SID rather than AID in mixed diets containing wheat, CM, MBM, and DDGS. The determination of endogenous loss, AID, and SID of CP and AA were not affected by marker type in this study. In addition, the additivity of AID and SID of CP and most indispensable AA in mixed diets was not affected by marker type.

Performance of weaner rabbits fed a concentrate diet supplemented with pawpaw leaves.

This experiment investigated the performance of weaner rabbits fed concentrate diets supplemented with pawpaw leaves (PPL). Twenty-four male weaner rabbits aged 5 weeks, weighing between 350 and 450 g were used. Concentrate diet was supplemented with PPL in ratios 100:0, 70:30, 50:50 and 30:70. Rabbits were randomly allotted to the four diets in a completely randomised design for 8 weeks, with six rabbits per diet. Results showed that rabbits supplemented with 30 and 50 % PPL had higher (P < 0.05) dry matter intake to sole concentrate. At 70 % PPL, dry matter intake did not vary with other treatments. Weight gain was higher (P < 0.05) in rabbits fed 30 and 50 % PPL than sole concentrate. Rabbits fed 70 % PPL had lower (P < 0.05) weight gain to animals fed 30 % PPL but gained similarly (P > 0.05) to those fed on 50 % PPL and sole concentrate. Feed conversion ratio improved (P < 0.05) in animals fed 30, 50 and 70 % PPL. Rabbits fed 30 % PPL had the highest (P < 0.05) protein efficiency ratio. Rabbits had higher dry matter digestibility (P < 0.05) with PPL supplementation than sole concentrate while crude protein and fibre digestibility was higher with 30 and 50 % PPL. Haematological and serum parameters in rabbits were unaltered with feeding PPL. It is concluded that weaner rabbits can utilise PPL as supplement to concentrate diet at 30 to 70 % dry matter with positive responses in performance and nutrient digestibility without deleterious effect on the physiological status of the rabbits.