Microbiota of the cecum, ileum morphometry, pH of the crop and performance of broiler chickens supplemented with probiotics

Abstract

-It was studied, in this work, the effects of supplementation of probiotics on the performance, on the pH of crop content, on the morphometry of the ileum and on the number of enterobacteria in the cecum of the broilers.Out of the 120 studied birds, 60 belonged to the test group and 60 to the control group. At 1, 7, 12, 18, 23 and 28 days of age, the chickens and rations were weighed and mortality and morbidity were determined. Then, the birds were sacrificed and the pH of the crop content was measured, ileum fragments were collected for morphometric analysis and the enterobacteria in the cecal content were quantified. The mean pH was lower in the group that was given probiotics at 1, 7 and 18 days of age. There were no differences on ration consumption, weight, mortality and morbidity rates. The counts of enterobacteria were lower in the supplemented animals at the ages of 7, 18 and 28 days. The measure of villus of the ileum was higher for the group treated with probiotics at all ages, except for 1 day of age in comparison to the control group.This work proves that supplementation with probiotics reduces the pH of the crop content at the ages of 1, 7 and 18 days and it can contribute to the reduction of pathogenic bacteria on the first days of life by reducing the quantity of enterobacteria in the cecum. In addition, probiotics increase the height of villi in the ileum of the birds.Key Words: body weights, competitive exclusion, enterobacteria, intestinal villi, ration Microbiota cecal, morfometria do íleo, pH do inglúvio e desempenho zootécnico de frangos de corte sob suplementação com probióticos RESUMO -Neste trabalho foram estudados os efeitos da suplementação de probióticos sobre o desempenho, o pH do conteúdo do papo, a morfometria do íleo e o número de enterobactérias no ceco de frangos de corte. Das 120 aves estudadas, 60 eram pertencentes ao grupo teste e 60 ao grupo controle. Nas idades de 1, 7, 12, 18, 23 e 28 dias, os frangos e a ração foram pesados e a mortalidade e morbidade foram determinadas. As aves foram, então sacrificadas, o pH do papo foi medido, os fragmentos do íleo foram coletados para análise da morfometria e as enterobactérias do ceco foram quantificadas. A média do pH foi menor no grupo que recebeu probióticos nas idades de 1, 7 e 18 dias. Não houve diferença no consumo de ração, no peso das aves, e nas taxas de mortalidade e morbidade. A contagem de enterobactérias foi menor nos animais sob suplementação com probióticos nas idades de 7, 18 e 28 dias. A medida das vilosidades do íleo foi maior no grupo tratado com probióticos em todas as idades, à exceção de 1 dia em relação ao grupo controle. Este trabalho comprova que a suplementação com probióticos diminui o pH do conteúdo do papo nas idades de 1, 7 e 18 dias, e pode contribuir na redução de bactérias patogênicas nos primeiros dias de vida, diminuindo a quantidade de enterobactérias no ceco. Além disso, os probióticos aumentaram a altura dos vilos do íleo das aves.Palavras-chave: enterobactérias, exclusão competitiva, pes...

Effects of inulin and di-d-fructose dianhydride-enriched caramels on intestinal microbiota composition and performance of broiler chickens

“…More specifically, an overgrowth of some microorganisms including enterobacteria in the intestine has been reported (Bourlinoux et al, 2003;Pelicano et al, 2005) to result in mucosal impairment, villus erosion and damage to the intestinal cells, thus reducing its nutrients' absorptive potential. Fonseca et al (2010) linked a decrease in the quantity of caecal enterobacteria to improved performance in broilers, and Kim et al (2011) proved that lower numbers of certain gut pathogens such as E. coli may improve broiler performance. Peinado et al (2012) recently showed that a garlic derivative lowered the intestinal numbers of enteropathogens and improved the ileal histological structure and productive parameters of broilers.…”

Correlations between changes in intestinal microbiota composition and performance parameters in broiler chickens

“…Fonseca et al. () linked a decrease in the quantity of caecal enterobacteria with improved performance in broilers, and Kim et al. () proved that lower numbers of certain gut pathogens such as E. coli may improve broiler performance.…”

The role of the crop in poultry production

“…The pH varies with the degree of crop fermentation primarily by lactobacilli and by the production of lactic acid together with weaker acetic acid (Cutler et al, 2005;Józefiak et al, 2006). In turn, fermentation is influenced by factors such as the presence of substrate (feed or prebiotic) and again colonisation by lactobacilli (Barnes et al, 1980;Fonseca et al, 2010). The pH of the crop can also be impacted by other non-fermented components of the diet.…”