Dietary Supplementation of Shredded, Steam-Exploded Pine Particles Decreases Pathogenic Microbes in the Cecum of Acute Heat-Stressed Broilers

Abstract

The gut microbiome stimulates nutrient metabolism and could effectively generate heat tolerance in chickens. This study investigates the effects of dietary steam-exploded pine particle (SPP) supplementation and subsequent acute heat stress on productive performance and cecum microbiome in broilers. Eight-day Ross 308 broilers were distributed in three groups with 0%, 1%, and 2% SPP in diets. On the 41st day, forty birds were allocated to four groups with ten birds each. The treatments were control diet at thermoneutral temperature (0% NT) and acute heat-stressed (HS) birds fed control (0% HS), 1% (1% HS), and 2% (2% HS) SPP. Parameters recorded were body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), rectal temperature (RT), relative organ weight, and metagenome analysis from cecum samples. Percent difference in BW, FI, and RT was decreased in HS birds. Metagenome analysis revealed similar richness and diversity in microbial communities. The relative abundance of the bacterial genus such as Limosilactobacillus, Drancourtella, and Ihubacter was increased while that of Alistipes, Alkalibacter, Lachnotalea, and Turicibacter was decreased in SPP supplemented HS birds. Concludingly, the production performance of broilers is negatively influenced during HS, and 2% dietary SPP supplementation may reduce the adverse effects of HS by modifying the microbiota in chickens.

Effects of Dietary Macleaya cordata Extract on Growth Performance, Biochemical Indices, and Intestinal Microbiota of Yellow-Feathered Broilers Subjected to Chronic Heat Stress

“…This suggests that HS alters the composition and structure of gut microbes in broilers, and MCE can alleviate HS-induced flora disturbances to a certain extent. These results are consistent with previous studies that suggest that HS significantly altered the bacterial community structure in the intestinal mucosa of broilers [ 89 ], while sanguinarine can regulate the structure of intestinal flora in broilers [ 24 ]. The inhibitory effects of different concentrations of MCE on the same flora were significantly different, and the effects of the same concentration of MCE on the flora of different species were also different.…”

Effects of In Ovo Feeding of γ-Aminobutyric Acid on Growth Performances, Plasma Metabolites, and Antioxidant Status in Broilers Exposed to Cyclic Heat Stress

“…An overview of the design is presented in Figure 1. As previously executed [22], birds were challenged with a cyclic HS between 28 and 31 days of age with minor modifications. In one of two rooms, the ambient temperature was gradually increased from 22 ± 1 • C to 33 ± 1 • C over 6 h (from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) and then returned to 22 ± 1 • C over 1 h (Figure 2).…”

Dietary shredded steam-exploded pine particle supplementation as a strategy to mitigate chronic cyclic heat stress by modulating gut microbiota in broilers

“…Prebiotic products can modulate the cecum microbiota in heat exposed-broilers 10 . Supplementing chicken feed with chopped steam-blasted pine particles may increase the abundance of fibrinolytic bacteria in the cecum without adverse effects 11 . Furthermore, phenols from lignin can modulate broiler production and health by enhancing the CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in the duodenum 12 , 13 .…”