Effect of Probiotics on Serum Biochemical and Blood Constituents in Chicken Challenged with Salmonella enterica Subsp Typhimurium

Purpose: To examine the effects of two commercial probiotics (Toyocerin and CloSTAT) on serum enzyme activities, and hematological and biochemical indices of broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium (ST).Methods: The chicks received one of the following treatments at 0 day of age: T1 = control group, unmedicated diet, unchallenged birds, (negative control); T2 = unmedicated diet + bacterial challenge (positive control); T3 = medicated diet with neoxyval (0.05 g/kg diet) + bacterial challenge (NEOX); T4 = toyocerin (1 g/kg diet) + bacterial challenge (Toyocerin); and T5 = CloSTAT (1 g/kg diet) + bacterial challenge (COLS). Blood samples were withdrawn from 7 selected chicks in each treatment at 7, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days of age, and analyzed for total protein, albumin and globulin concentration, and the albumin: globulin ratio computed. Glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutatamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) levels in serum were measured on days 7 and 42.Results: The results revealed that albumin (p < 0.001), globulin (p < 0.001) and albumin: globulin ratio (p < 0.001) were influenced by the time of blood collection. Globulin increased significantly after ST challenge while albumin decreased significantly. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) after ST challenge was affected by treatment (p < 0.05). Higher levels were obtained from birds which had received NEOX or positive control, compared to negative control group.Conclusion: Salmonella challenge affects serum albumin, globulin and GOT enzyme. The results obtained suggest that the probiotic, Toyocerin, mitigates the negative effects of Salmonella challenge.Keywords: Bacillus subtilis PB6, Bacillus Cereus var. toyoi, Probiotics, Liver enzymes, Hematology, Salmonella enteric

Microsatellite-Based Genetic Structure and Diversity of Local Arabian Sheep Breeds

The genetic diversity of the sheep breeds in the Arab countries might be considered to be a mirror of the ecology of the region. In this study, the genetic structure and diversity of sheep breeds from Saudi Arabia (Harri, Najdi, Naemi, Arb, and Rufidi) and Awassi sheep from Jordan as an out-group were investigated using 19 microsatellites. All the breeds had high intra-population genetic diversity expressed as allelic number (7.33) and richness (2.9) and, expected heterozygosity (0.77). Structure analysis revealed three main gene pools underlying the ancestral genetic diversity of the study populations. The first pool had Harri, Najdi, and Rufidi breeds; the second had Naemi and Awassi breeds, and the third had the Arb breed which was significantly differentiated from the other breeds. Factorial correspondence analysis lent further support to the presence of the three gene pools. Although the outgroup Awassi sheep was more clearly differentiated, it still genetically close to Naemi sheep. The differentiation of the Arb breed could have been resulted from geographic and reproductive isolation. On the other hand, the genetic structure of the other two gene pools could be the result of the past and recent gene flow between individuals reared in the region known to be the center for animal husbandry and trading until the current time

Effect of enzyme supplementation and wheat middlings as an alternative to corn on laying hens performance

A 7-wk trial examined the effects of dietary enzyme supplementation (ES), a combination of xylanase, amylase and protease on egg production, egg mass, egg composition, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and nutrient retention in Hy-Line W-36 strain fed diets containing wheat middlings (WM) combined with Avizyme 1500 enzyme (xylanase, protease and amylase) at different dietary metabolizable energy (ME) levels. Seven diets were assigned to five replicate pens with 4 hens per pen from 44 to 51 wk of age. The collected data indicated no significant difference in feed consumption, egg production, egg mass and body weight occurred among hens fed the dietary treatments. Egg weight responded significantly to ES (Pvs 2920 kcal/kg for WM diets). Type of diet had the most significant effect on performance while ES to WM diets at this phase of production had little effect on performance or apparent nutrient retention especially when it was supplemented to the low energy diets. Including WM in laying hen diets up to 30% did not affect most measured parameters and could serve as a good alternative to corn depending on the price of corn

Phytate phosphorus utilization and intestinal phytase activity in laying hens

The first aim of this study was to examine the effects of strain and age on phytate phosphorus (PP) utilization and intestinal phytase activity (IPA) in two strains of laying hens, Hy-line Brown (HB) and Hy-line White W-36 (HW) at 32, 52 and 72 weeks of age. A digestion trial was conducted using the indicator method and birds were sampled to measure IPA. The second aim was to examine the effect of feed grade exogenous phytase enzyme on total (TP), water soluble (WSP) and phytate phosphorus (PP) excretion in the HW strain fed varying levels of phosphorus. Hens were fed three concentrations of available P (AP): 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4%. Each level of P was supplemented with three levels of commercial feed grade exogenous phytase enzyme (0, 300, and 600 FTU/kg) and the amount of TP, WSP and PP in excreta per 100 g of feed consumed was calculated. The HB retained more PP as compared to HW. Intestinal phytase activity showed a significant (P<0.01) age effect with the highest activity occurring at 32 weeks. There were significant differences in the amount of TP and SP excreted between birds receiving the 3 levels of phosphorus with 300 units phytase (P<0.01). The results of this study showed that layers are capable of utilizing PP, and that utilization is regulated by IPA and varies with age. Exogenous phytase improved PP utilization but it increased the amount of TP and WSP in excreta

In vitro Antibacterial Efficacy of Non-Antibiotic Growth Promoters in Poultry Industry

Antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) have been used for many years as supplements in various livestock diets, including those for poultry. However, the use of AGPs in feed was also associated with an increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in livestock. In this study, the in vitro antibacterial efficacies of eight commercially available non-AGPs suitable for use in poultry were investigated. Assessments included a combination of antibacterial activity assays and estimations of the minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations along with scanning electron microscopy analysis. The results showed that the probiotic, CloStat® exerted a bacteriostatic effect against all tested bacteria, namely Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium perfringens, whereas Gallipro Tect® and Bacillus Blend® demonstrated bacteriostatic activity towards most of the pathogens tested. Other commercial non-AGPs, Sangrovit®, Fysal®, and Mix oil blend® showed a stronger or equal antibacterial activity compared to the positive control (AGP Maxus® G100) againsts all bacteria tested, except C. perfringens. Nor-Spice AB® and Varium™ did not show any significant effect against the tested bacteria. Several of the tested AGP substitutes exhibited good antibacterial efficiency against pathogenic bacteria and thus may be good candidates for second-stage in vivo investigations into reducing pathogen colonization in broilers

The relationship between guanidino acetic acid and metabolisable energy level of diets on performance of broiler chickens

This work aimed to investigate the effects on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens of 2 levels of guanidino acetic acid (GAA) in a commercial form (CreAMINO®) and 4 levels of metabolisable energy. The eight dietary regimens were tested for starter (0-10 d), grower (11-22 d) and finisher (23-35 d) periods on a total of 200 male ROSS 308 broiler chickens in a factorial arrangements of treatments (2×4), with experimental diet fed to 5 replicate pens with 4 birds each. The results revealed a positive effect for CreAMINO® supplementation on feed conversion ratio (FCR) for the starter, grower, finisher and cumulative periods (P&lt;0.05, 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively); feed conversion was significantly improved in the treatment with CreAMINO® supplementation vs unsupplemented group. During the grower period, a significant difference in FCR was observed for metabolisable energy (ME) level (P&lt;0.01). When examining the cumulative period of the trial (0 to 35 days of age), two-way interaction was significant for feed intake and body weight gain. Birds receiving the control level of energy, 75 or 50 kcal/kg lower ME than the control, consumed less feed when supplemented with CreAMINO®. Birds receiving 25 kcal/kg lower ME or the control energy levels gained more weight when supplemented with CreAMINO®. In summary, GAA (as CreAMINO) improved FCR of broilers in each period as well as cumulatively, while ME level also affected FCR. CreAMINO® supplementation to reduced-energy diets showed FCR improvements, while the best performance was detected for the diet with 50 kcal/kg lower ME

Feed supplementation with some natural products on Salmonella infected broilers’ performance and intestinal injury during the starter period

Many alternatives are under investigation since 2006 when the European Union banned the use of antimicrobials in animal feed. The objective of this study was to find the effect of different feed additives in comparison with antibiotic on the performance and gut health in broiler infected with Salmonella during the starter phase. A total of 240 one day old male Ross 308 chickens were divided into six groups as follow: control treatment (negative control), orally challenged with Salmonella enterica subsp. Typhimurium (positive control), T1: oral challenge + 0.1 g/kg antibiotic, T2: oral challenge + 0.15 g/kg Sanguinarine, T3: oral challenge + 1 g/kg oregano powder, T4: oral challenge + calcium montmorillonite. On day second of the experiment, challenge was performed at a dose rate of 1.0 mL of the inoculum (4.5 × 108 CFU/mL). Data were statistically analysed with the help of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures using least significant difference (LSD) as post-hoc test. Feed consumption was significantly (p  .05) between the control and experimental groups. Significantly (p < .01) higher villus width was found in T1, T4 and negative control. Similarly, villus height was higher (p < .05) in T2 and T4 compared to the control. It was concluded from the present study that different natural feed additives produced promising results in term of improved growth traits and gut health in Salmonella infected broilers. However, Sangrovit Extra produced better results in comparison with other treatments.HIGHLIGHTS Body weight, feed efficiency were improved in Sangrovit Extra fed broiler. Production efficiency factor was enhanced in Sangrovit Extra fed broiler. Villus height was significantly higher in Sangrovit Extra fed broiler. Villus width was enhanced in antibiotic treated broiler

The effect of phytogenics on growth traits, blood biochemical and intestinal histology in broiler chickens exposed to Clostridium perfringens challenge

A total 560 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) was randomly allocated to seven treatments (eight replicates). Control (basal diet), T1, infected with Clostridium perfringens, T2, infected + Avilamycin at the rate of 0.2 g/kg T3, infected + essential oil of thyme, T4, infected + Sanguinarine, T5, infected + Anti-Salmonella phytobiotic, T6., infected + essential oils of thyme, anise and others (oregano, carvacol, yucca extract and cinnamaldehyde). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly (P<0.05) high in the T2 during the third week. The dressing percentage decreased significantly (P<0.05) and intestinal weight increased (P<0.05) in T1. Blood protein, and globulin increased significantly (P<0.05) in birds in T6 during fourth weeks, while blood alanine transaminase (ALT) increased significantly (P<0.05) in T5. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) increased significantly (P<0.05) in T5 and T6. Similarly, villus height and width increased significantly (P<0.05) in T5 and T6. From the results of the present study, it was concluded that different feed additives could be substituted with antibiotics in the feed of broiler exposed to Clostridium perfringens challenge

Ameliorative Effect of <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> on Growth Performance and Intestinal Architecture in Broiler Infected with Salmonella

A total of 600 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) confirmed for the absence of Salmonella were randomly allocated to five treatments each with 10 replicates: negative control (basal diet only); positive control (basal diet) + infected with Salmonella; T1, Salmonella infected + avilamycin; T2, Salmonella infected + Bacillus subtilis (ATCC PTA-6737; 2 &#215; 107 CFU/g) and T3, Salmonella infected + B. subtilis (DSM 172999; 1.2 &#215; 106 CFU/g). The results revealed that feed intake (FI) and body weight (BW) were significantly (p &lt; 0.01) lower in T1 compared to T2. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (p &lt; 0.01) lower in T2 and T3 compared to other treatments. Similarly, the performance efficiency factor (PEF) was also significantly (p &lt; 0.01) higher in T2 and T3 compared to positive control. Villus height was significantly (p &lt; 0.01) higher in T2 compared to all other treatments. However, villus width and surface area were significantly (p &lt; 0.01) higher in T1. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with B. subtilis improved growth and intestinal health by reversing the negative effects of Salmonellosis

Influence of stocking density on welfare indices of broilers

The current study was conducted to identify the influence of short-term (five days) high stocking density (SD) on broilers' welfare by assessing several thermophysiological parameters in 32 birds of 43 days of age Ross male broiler chickens. Based on broiler's body weight, broilers were randomly allotted into two SD rates; control (26.5 kg/m2) or high (45.0 kg/m2). It appears evident that placing broilers at high SD as 45.0 kg/m2 had manifested noticeable impacts on their thermophysiological responses. This conclusion was demonstrated by the existence of results of the current study showed a major displacements in broilers' homeothermic status, high SD broilers experienced pronounced elevations of their body temperatures as well as head, body and shank surface temperatures over the control SD broilers. Additionally, this was further emphasized by the noticeable displacements of body internal, external and total thermal gradients as well as heat loss index of high SD broilers compared to the control broilers. Based on the presented evidences, short-term high SD markedly increased broilers stress and jeopardize their welfare. Measuring broilers' thermophysiological responses under different rates of SD can be adapted to assess their welfare. </p