ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) on growth performance, immune status, organs weights, and microarchitecture of lymphoid organs and small intestine.MethodsA total of 120, 1-d-old broiler chicks were distributed into the following four treatment groups: corn-soy based basal diet (BD) without supplement (control), or the same BD supplemented with 0.1 g/kg zinc bacitracin (ZnB), 0.5 g/kg SB (SB-0.5), or 1.0 g/kg SB (SB-1), respectively. Six birds/group were killed on d-21 and d-35, and samples were collected.ResultsCell-mediated immune response at 48 h post-Phytohemagglutinin-P injection, and antibody titer against Newcastle disease vaccine and sheep red blood cells on d-35 was noted higher (p<0.05) in SB-1 compared to ZnB and control. Lower (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) was attained by the supplemented groups. Thymus and spleen weighed more (p<0.05) in SB-1, and bursa registered more (p<0.05) weight in both SB groups compared to control. On d-21, areas of thymus medulla and spleen germinal centers were noted higher (p<0.05) in SB-1 group. The villus height and villus surface area increased (p<0.05) in duodenum and jejunum in both SB groups on d-21, and in SB-1 on d-35, respectively compared to ZnB and control. On d-21, number of goblet cells containing mucins of acidic nature increased (p<0.05) in all the segments of small intestines in SB-1 group compared to control, and on d-35 in ileum compared to other groups.ConclusionIn conclusion, SB improved growth performance and immunity as well as modulated morphology of lymphoid organs and gut mucosa in broiler chickens.
This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of different levels of zinc (Zn) and a probiotic on the growth and intestinal health of broiler chickens. One hundred ninety-two-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 6 groups. The birds were supplemented with Zn (30 and 60 mg/kg) and a probiotic mixture alone or in combination with Zn. The results revealed that the broilers receiving a probiotic mixture alone or in combination with Zn (30 and 60 mg) increased (P < 0.05) final body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and total goblet cell count in duodenum compared with the control group. Morphometry of the duodenum also revealed an increase (P < 0.05) in villus height (VH) and the ratio of VH and crypt depth in all the supplemented groups, whereas ileal VH increased (P < 0.05) only in Zn60 group when compared with control. Based on our results, we concluded that compared to the individual supplementation, the combined effect of Zn and probiotic mixture was superior in improving the growth performance and histomorphology of the intestine; however, the effect of two levels of Zn did not vary when combined with probiotic.
The present research aimed to investigate the effects of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) on performance, immune system, gut, and lymphoid organs’ microarchitecture in broilers. A total of 120 day-old broiler chicks were randomly distributed into four groups. The birds were fed a corn-soy-based basal diet (BD) (control) or the same BD supplemented with 10% zinc bacitracin (ZnB), 0.05 g/kg or 0.1 g/kg of B. subtilis (BS). The broilers fed 0.1 g/kg of B. subtilis had superior mean bodyweight and lower feed conversion ratio compared with the non-supplemented or ZnB-fed groups. The BS-0.1 group registered higher antibody titer against the Newcastle disease (ND) virus. Cell-mediated immune response post Phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) injection was attained by both BS-0.1 and BS-0.05 groups. Histomorphological study revealed increased thymus cortical width, and cortex/medulla ratio in BS-0.1 group compared with control. Area of bursal follicles and germinal centres of spleen also improved in BS-0.1 group. Compared to ZnB and control, higher villus height (VH) and villus crypt ratio of the duodenum and jejunum were recorded on day 21, and higher VH of duodenum and ileum was noted on day 35 in BS-0.1 and BS-0.05 groups. In conclusion, B. subtilis-type probiotics contributed positively to better growth performance, improved immune system and modulated morphology of lymphoid organs and gut mucosa in broilers.Keywords: Immunity, intestinal mucosa, poultry, probiotics
A serological and coprological survey of fasciolosis was conducted in bovine hosts from the Sargodha district, Pakistan using excretory-secretory (ES) antigens of Fasciola gigantica from cattle and buffaloes. Livers, faecal and blood samples of 146 cattle and 184 buffaloes were collected from slaughterhouses and examined for the presence of any Fasciola in bile ducts and ova in faeces. Serum was separated. ES antigens were prepared by incubating adult Fasciola in phosphate-buffered saline for 6-8 h and then filtering using a 0.22-μm syringe filter. Checkerboard titration was performed and optimum concentrations of antigen and serum were determined. Sero-prevalence was found to be 50.00 and 38.35% in buffalo and cattle, respectively. Using liver examination as the gold standard, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) sensitivity was found to be 100% in both buffalo and cattle as compared with that of coprological examination in buffalo (61.79%) and cattle (54.54%). This indigenous ELISA was also highly specific, with values of 96.84 and 98.90% in buffalo and cattle, respectively. Positive predictive values were calculated as 96.74 and 98.21% in buffalo and cattle, respectively, while negative predictive values were 100%. For the validation of indigenous ELISA in field surveys, faecal and blood samples were collected from six sub-districts (tehsils) in the district of Sargodha. Sera were screened for the presence of anti-fasciola antibodies using both the indigenous and commercial ELISA kits. While both kits were equally sensitive, the indigenous ELISA was found to be more specific. The highest prevalence of fasciolosis was found in December, as ascertained using both serological and coprological examination. Significant differences were found in prevalences of fasciolosis in different sub-districts and age groups, together with feeding and watering systems.
The dietary supplementation of trace minerals and probiotics has long been practiced to reduce the harmful effects of high environmental temperature in poultry. The study aimed to assess the effect of single or combined supplementation of ZnSO 4 •H 2 O and probiotic (Protexin ® ) on the growth performance, gut biometry and immune organs histomorphology in broilers reared under cyclic heat stress. For this purpose, 280 day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into seven groups designated as control (basal diet), HS (heat stress + basal diet), HS-Zn30 (HS + 30 mg ZnSO 4 •H 2 O/kg feed), HS-Zn60 (HS + 60 mg ZnSO 4 •H 2 O/kg feed), HS-Pro (HS + 0.1 g Protexin ® /kg feed), HS-Zn30-Pro (HS + 30 mg ZnSO 4 •H 2 O/kg feed + 0.1 g Protexin ® /kg feed), and HS-Zn60-Pro (HS + 60 mg ZnSO 4 •H 2 O/kg feed + 0.1 g Protexin ® /kg feed). Each group consisted of five replicates (8 birds per replicate). The birds were fed on starter (0 -21days) and grower (22 -42 days) diets. From day 22 onwards, the birds were exposed to cyclic heat stress (temperature and relative humidity at 35 ± 1 °C and 75 ± 5% respectively) for 8 hours. The results revealed that birds exposed to heat stress showed significant decrease in body weight (BW) and increase in feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control group. The dietary supplementation of ZnSO 4 •H 2 O and probiotic either singly or in combination improved BW and FCR throughout the experimental period in heat-stressed broilers. Area of lymphatic nodule and lymphoid follicle in caecal tonsils and bursa of Fabricius increased in HS-Pro, HS-Zn30-Pro and HS-Zn60-Pro groups compared to HS group. In conclusion, zinc and probiotics combination partially improved performance and immune organs histomorphology in heat-stressed broilers.
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