Modelling effects of phytobiotic administration on coherent responses to Salmonella infection in laying hens

Practice of layer poultry farming and commercial egg production relies on the optimal use and improvement of the welfare and genetically determined functional abilities of laying hens, their efficient intake of feed and its components, adaptation to housing conditions and resistance to infectious diseases including salmonellosis. Previous studies were focussed on relationships of chicken performance and resistance with the expression profiles of individual genes involved in metabolic processes and immune system, or with genetic markers that can be closely associated with these processes in chickens. In this study, mathematical models of coherent changes in laying hens were developed for the expression of eight genes involved in immunity and metabolism, on the one hand, and biochemical and immunological blood parameters, on the other hand, in response to Salmonella infection and administration of a phytobiotic Intebio. The proposed modelling approach can be a further basis for an in-depth research of the relationship between the gene expression, functional state and welfare of poultry, impact of pathogenic microorganisms and use of immunomodulatory drugs

[Mathematical assessment of BAC-based interspecies hybridization data in the process of genomic mapping in the white-throated sparrow as an avian behavioral model] Математическая оценка данных межвидовой БАК-гибридизации в процессе геномного картирования у белошейной зонотрихии как модели поведения птиц

The white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) known for its morphological, behavioral and chromosomal polymorphisms represents a quite new model system to study genomic mechanisms underlying variable behavioral repertoire interwoven with population biology, reproduction and adaptation in this species. It was previously shown that these polymorphisms could be due to chromosomal rearrangements (inversions) on sparrow chromosome 2 (ZAL2) that is characterized by a heterogeneity in two distinct morphs, tan (ZAL2/ZAL2) and white (ZAL2/ZAL2m). To construct a comparative genomic map of ZAL2 and other chromosomes, we used a sparrow genomic BAC library, CHORI-264. Following a cross-species overgo hybridization approach, we screened the library and developed a first-generation BAC-based comparative physical map using the chicken and zebra finch reference genomes. The map includes 640 BAC-gene assignments for 77 loci and serves for further refining the genomic regions and identifying candidate genes that are affected by rearrangements and contribute to the observed behavioral polymorphisms. Mathematical assessment of the BAC-based hybridization data was undertaken to show evolutionary relationships of avian genomes. В настоящей работе представлена математическая оценка межвидовой БАК-гибридизации в процессе геномного картирования у белошейной зонотрихии – вида воробьев, рассматриваемого в качестве удобной модели поведения птиц

Investigating adverse effects of chronic dietary exposure to herbicide glyphosate on zootechnical characteristics and clinical, biochemical and immunological blood parameters in broiler chickens

Although the herbicide glyphosate is widely used globally and considered safe, more evidence of its adverse effects on animals and humans is accumulating. The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the impact of different glyphosate concentrations on zootechnical characteristics and clinical, biochemical and immunological blood parameters in Ross 308 broiler chickens. Four groups were employed, including untreated control and three experimental groups fed diets enriched with glyphosate at doses of 10, 20 and 100 ppm that conformed to 0.5, 1 and 5 maximum residue limits, respectively. The results showed that glyphosate is a stress factor triggering a multifaceted effect on important blood parameters (e.g., white blood cell and phagocytic counts), which was shown for the first time in the experiments involving productive meat-type poultry. It was first revealed that glyphosate-induced changes in blood parameters may be related to a negative impact on the zootechnical characteristics including the digestive tract organ development and body weight gain. The study findings suggested that exposure to glyphosate in the feedstuffs can adversely affect the physiological condition and productivity of broilers

Examination of the expression of immunity genes and bacterial profiles in the caecum of growing chickens infected with Salmonella Enteritidis and fed a phytobiotic

This study was performed to investigate the differential expression of eight immunity genes and the bacterial profiles in the caecum of growing chickens challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) at 1 and 23 days post inoculation (dpi) in response to SE infection at 19 days of age and administration of the phytobiotic Intebio. Following infection, the genes CASP6 and IRF7 were upregulated by greater than twofold. Chicks fed Intebio showed at 1 dpi upregulation of AvBD10, IL6, IL8L2, CASP6 and IRF7. At 23 dpi, expression of AvBD11, IL6, IL8L2, CASP6 and IRF7 lowered in the experiment subgroups as compared with the control. Examination of the caecal contents at 1 dpi demonstrated a significant decrease in the microbial biodiversity in the infected subgroup fed normal diet. Bacterial content of Lactobacillus and Bacillus declined, while that of Enterobacteriaceae rose. In the infected subgroup fed Intebio, a pronounced change in composition of the microflora was not observed. In the early infection stages, the phytobiotic seemed to promote response to infection. Subsequently, an earlier suppression of the inflammatory reaction took place in chickens fed Intebio. Thus, use of Intebio as a drug with phytobiotic activity in chickens, including those infected with Salmonella, proved to be promising

Effects of essential oils-based supplement and Salmonella infection on gene expression, blood parameters, cecal microbiome and egg production in laying hens

Simple Summary Salmonellosis is one of the most severe zoonotic diseases transmitted to humans through animal products (especially poultry meat and eggs). Essential oils (EOs)-based feed additives in poultry nutrition are a possible alternative replacement of antimicrobials to fight this infection. In the present study on laying hens, we tested a phytobiotic, Intebio®, and elucidated formation of immune response and changes in cecal microbiocenosis and biochemical/immunological variables in blood caused by Salmonella. Changes in differential gene expression were observed at both one and seven days post-inoculation in the hens’ intestines, revealing similarities with known mammalian/human tissue-specific expression. The results of this study suggest that the challenge of birds with Salmonella had a negative effect, while phytobiotic intake had a positive effect on the status of their gastrointestinal microbiome, their level of metabolism, and their performance. Abstract One of the main roles in poultry resistance to infections caused by Salmonella is attributed to host immunity and intestinal microbiota. We conducted an experiment that involved challenging Lohmann White laying hens with Salmonella Enteritidis (SE), feeding them a diet supplemented with an EOs-based phytobiotic Intebio®. At 1 and 7 days post-inoculation, the expression profiles of eight genes related to immunity, transport of nutrients in the intestine, and metabolism were examined. Cecal microbiome composition and blood biochemical/immunological indices were also explored and egg production traits recorded. As a result, the SE challenge of laying hens and Intebio® administration had either a suppressive or activating effect on the expression level of the studied genes (e.g., IL6 and BPIFB3), the latter echoing mammalian/human tissue-specific expression. There were also effects of the pathogen challenge and phytobiotic intake on the cecal microbiome profiles and blood biochemical/immunological parameters, including those reflecting the activity of the birds’ immune systems (e.g., serum bactericidal activity, β-lysine content, and immunoglobulin levels). Significant differences between control and experimental subgroups in egg performance traits (i.e., egg weight/number/mass) were also found. The phytobiotic administration suggested a positive effect on the welfare and productivity of poultry

From feed regulation to regulated feeding: intestinal microbiome and performance optimization in broiler chickens in response to antibiotic and probiotic treatment [От регулирования кормов к регулируемому кормлению: оптимизация микробиома кишечника и продуктивности цыплят-бройлеров в ответ на применение антибиотика и пробиотика]

Aims: The nutrition and immune system of poultry are significantly influenced by gut bacteria. The physiological status, metabolism, and innate immunity of poultry are all impacted by changes in the gut microbiota [1,2]. The current study aimed to define age-related changes in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota, with the addition of the in-feed antibiotic Stafac® 110 and a probiotic based on the Bacillus subtilis strain to the diet of broiler chickens. Methods: Using a molecular genetic technique called the Terminal-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis [3,4], a thorough investigation of the taxonomic structure of the microbial community in the GIT of broiler chickens was conducted in this regard, while considering age dynamics and feeding treatment. The latter involved administering the in-feed antibiotic Stafac® 110 as well as a probiotic based on the Bacillus subtilis strain 1-85. Results: The findings provided insight into how the GIT microflora of broiler chickens develops during the developing stage and how it alters in response to antibiotic and probiotic treatment. Using the antibiotic and probiotic in compound feeds had a positive impact on the microbiological makeup and body weight of broilers. Due to the addition of the antibiotic and probiotic to the feed, different bacterial communities were found in the duodenum and cecum of broiler chickens, and their beneficial effects on broiler growth were demonstrated. Conclusions: We propose that the use of the tested in-feed antibiotic and probiotic can be advantageous in regulating microbial activities in the GIT and improving broiler chicken productivity and feeding effectiveness. These feed additives can form the basis of a useful procedure for controlling the intestinal microbiota and enhancing broiler performance

[Guidelines for the use of a feed additive tested in an industrial environment on highly productive commercial laying hens] Методические рекомендации по использованию кормовой добавки, прошедшей испытания в промышленных условиях на высокопродуктивных промышленных курах-несушках

Methodological recommendations were developed within the framework of the Grant Agreement No. 14.W03.31.0013 dated February 20, 2017 as part of the implementation of the Russian Federation Government Resolution No. 220 dated April 9, 2010 on the topic Development of modern biotechnologies for assessing gene expression in connection with productivity and resistance to diseases in poultry farming. Methodical recommendations are intended for specialists and managers of poultry farms, farmers, researchers, teachers, graduate students and students of agricultural universities, students of the advanced training system. Методические рекомендации разработаны в рамках Договора о выделении гранта № 14.W03.31.0013 от 20 февраля 2017 г. в рамках реализации постановления Правительства Российской Федерации от 9 апреля 2010 г. № 220 по теме  Разработка современных биотехнологий для оценки экспрессии генов в связи с продуктивностью и устойчивостью к заболеваниям в птицеводстве. Методические рекомендации предназначены для специалистов и руководителей птицеводческих хозяйств, фермеров, научных работников, преподавателей, аспирантов и студентов сельскохозяйственных вузов, слушателей системы повышения квалификации

Rumen bacterial community of young and adult of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) from Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District of Russia

The aim of the work was to compare the taxonomic composition of the rumen procariotic community in young and adult individuals of Nenets breed reindeer (Rangifer tarandus ) from the central part of the Yamal region by using the NGS method (next generation sequencing) and compare the microbiome composition of reindeer with the microbiome of their initial vegetation food material. The obtained data showed that the dominant position in microbial communities, like that of other ruminants, was occupied by representatives of phylum Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, whose total share between observed groups did not differ significantly. The composition of the microbiome of the rumen of the investigated group of animals was completely different from the microbiome structure of the initial vegetation cover. Digestion of vegetation by reindeers resulted in complex transformation in the initial plant microbiome and an increase of biological diversity which was expressed in operational taxonomic unit (OTU) numbers increasing and changes in indexes of alpha-diversity parameters. According to the results of alpha- and beta- diversity of the rumen microbial communities, the greatest uniqueness was revealed for the microbiomes of the adults in comparison with calves and young. The presence of changes in the biodiversity indexes of the rumen microbiota in the reindeer, examined by us, confirm the opinion of the researchers that the microbial community may also reflect the physiological state of the animals. It has also been demonstrated that the presence of the phylum Verrucomicrobia, and the genera Stenotrophomonas, Pseudomonas, etc., may be specific to Nenets breed reindeer and have a pattern with their presence on various plants and lichens that are part of the reindeer diet. This is partially confirmed by data on plants microbiome taxonomy

Effect of a probiotic strain administration in different feeding phases on α- and β-diversity and gene expression of the rumen microbiome in lactating cows

In cows, there is a drastic metabolic stress caused by violations of the rumen microbiome composition during lactation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the α-and β-diversity of the rumen microbiome of lactating cows using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and gene expression assessed by qPCR, as well as evaluation of the corrective properties of a probiotic strain introduced into the rumen. The results showed that the addition of the probiotic to the diet contributed to an effective increase in the fat content of milk during the early lactation period (P ≤ 0.05). The NGS-based analysis of the rumen microbiome of the studied cows using the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the Shannon and Chao1 indices of α-diversity of prokaryotic communities remained unchanged during various feeding phases, as well as due to the probiotic effects. In the early lactation period and under the probiotic’s impact, the number of representatives of the Clostridia_UCG-014 and Clostridiaceae families declined by 2.4 and 1.6 times, respectively (in Group 2 as compared to Group 1, P ≤ 0.05). Expression of the bacterial Ldh-L and ldhD genes was lower by 2.9 and 13.5 times, respectively (P ≤ 0.05), when adding the probiotic to the diet in the early lactation period