Effectiveness of probiotics and clove essential oils in improving growth performance, immuno-antioxidant status, ileum morphometric, and microbial community structure for heat-stressed broilers

Abstract Recently, interest has increased in using bio-additives, herbs, and their extracts as feed additives because of their potential role in improving chick's health and productivity, especially during stress. Thus, our aim in this study is to examine whether nutritional supplementation (probiotics and clove essential oils) will help mitigate the negative effect of heat stress on the bird by modifying the microbial content, boosting immunity, oxidative status, metabolic, and growth. In this study, three hundred one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were fed the following experimental diet: (CON) basal diet (control diet); (CEO) CON with clove essential oils (300 mg/kg); (PRO) CON with probiotics (2 g/kg); (PC) CON with probiotics and clove essential oils. Our results showed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, nutrient digestibility, and digestive enzymes activities in broilers fed on PC, CEO, and PRO compared to the control group. Moreover, a significant decrease was recorded in the abdominal fat content and an increase in the relative weight of bursa of Fabricius, and higher antibody levels against Newcastle disease virus, as well as, there was an increase (P < 0.05) in interleukin 10 (IL-10) in all treated groups. Meanwhile, there was a decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in all supplemented groups compared with the control group. Serum triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein concentrations, and alanine aminotransferase activities were significantly lower in the treated groups. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels were elevated (P < 0.05) and the malondialdehyde level value significantly decreased in all supplemented groups. The treated groups enhanced the ileum structure by increasing Lactobacillus, decreasing E. coli, and improving the morphometrically (P < 0.05). This study strongly suggests that clove essential oil and probiotic mixture can be used as a feed supplement to reduce the effects of heat stress by improving the growth performance and enhancing immuno-antioxidant status, ileum morphometric, as well as modifying the microbial community structure of the ileum of broilers

Rumen fermentation and microbiota in Shami goats fed on condensed tannins or herbal mixture

Abstract Background Phytochemical compounds can modify the rumen microbiome and improve rumen fermentation. This study evaluated the impact of supplementation with tannin and an herbal mixture containing ginger (Zingiber officinale), garlic (Allium sativum), Artemisia (Artemisia vulgaris), and turmeric (Curcuma longa) on the rumen fermentation and microbiota, and histology of rumen tissue of goats. Eighteen Shami male goats were divided into three groups (n = 6): non-supplemented animals fed the basal diet (C, control); animals fed basal diet and supplemented with condensed tannin (T); and animals fed basal diet and supplemented with herbal mixture (HM). Each animal received a basal diet composed of Alfalfa hay and a concentrate feed mixture. Results Group HM revealed higher (P < 0.05) rumen pH, total volatile fatty acids (VFA), acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, and valeric. Principal Co-ordinate analysis (PCoA) showed that rumen microbial communities in the control group and supplemented groups were distinct. The supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the relative abundances of phylum Bacteroidota and Proteobacteria and declined (P < 0.05) Firmicutes and Fibrobacterota. Additionally, the dominant genus Prevotella and Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group were increased (P < 0.05) and the family Ruminococcaceae was declined (P < 0.05) due to the supplementation. The supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) the archaeal genus Methanobrevibacter and increased (P < 0.05) Candidatus Methanomethylophilus. Tannin supplementation in T group shortened the rumen papillae. Conclusions The results revealed that the herbal mixture might be used to alter the rumen microbiota to improve rumen fermentation