Effect of dietary probiotic, antibiotic or combination on broiler performance, cecum microbial population and ileal development

Abstract

To investigate the effect of antibiotics and/or probiotics on performance, some serum metabolites, cecum microflora composition, and ileum histomorphology in broilers under the Egyptian conditions. Design: Randomized controlled experimental study. Animals: Two hundred forty 1-day-old Ross (308) chicks were reared till 35 days of age. Procedures: The birds were randomly allocated into four main groups: a control diet without additives (CON); probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus) supplemented diet (PRO); antibiotic (Avilamycin) supplemented diet (ANT) and a mix group (AP) that received antibiotic in the diet form 1 to 4 days of age and treated during the rest of the experimental period with probiotics. Results: Chickens fed on probiotic or antibiotic diets had linear improvement in live body weight (LBW) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with the control group, while the best LBW and FCR were in the AP group. An improvement in the nutrient digestibility was observed in the probiotic added groups (PRO and AP). Serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol contents decreased when antimicrobial (probiotic or antibiotic) supplementations were used, while there was an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol contents, serum total protein, and albumin levels. Among all groups, cecum Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli counts decreased; however, there was an increase in Lactobacillus count compared to the control group. In probiotic supplemented groups (PRO and AP), a significant (P<0.05) improvement in ilea architecture. Conclusion and clinical relevance:Using probiotic after initial treatment with an antibiotic in broiler diets had a positive effect on broiler growth performance, gut health (improved cecum microbial populations and ileum histomorphology), and nutrient digestibility.

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

“…In this study, adding probiotics and essential oil led to a significant decrease in these parameters. Similar to previous studies, our results showed that serum total protein and albumin were not affected by dietary supplements 41 , 42 . Furthermore, our results have similarities with Santoso et al 43 who reported that adding probiotics lowered levels of ALT enzyme compared with the control treatment.…”

“…The hypocholesterolemic in the blood may be due to some components of essential oils that inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, which is the enzyme responsible for cholesterol synthesis 39 . It has been reported that probiotics and EO significantly decrease serum LDL levels 40 , 41 . In this study, adding probiotics and essential oil led to a significant decrease in these parameters.…”