Effect of in ovo injected prebiotics and synbiotics on the caecal fermentation and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens

Abstract

Manipulations of the intestinal microbiota composition may improve the health and performance of chickens. In ovo technology allows the administration of a bioactive substance to enter directly into the incubating egg. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of in ovo administered prebiotics or synbiotics on microbial activity products in the caeca and the development of the small intestine of broiler chickens. Ross 308 male chickens hatched from eggs injected in ovo with prebiotics or synbiotics were used in this study. Five experimental groups were formed: C (Control) – injected with 0.9% NaCl, the Pre-1 and Pre-2 groups – injected with prebiotics: inulin or Bi2tos, respectively, and the Syn-1 and Syn-2 groups – injected with synbiotics: inulin with Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IBB SL1 or Bi2tos with Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris IBB SC1, respectively. At the age of 7, 21 and 35 days, 10 chicks of each group were randomly selected, weighed and slaughtered, and the jejunal samples were collected for histological examinations, whereas caecal samples were collected to analyse the end products of microbial fermentation. Synbiotic treatment increased bodyweight, as observed in the Syn-1 group (P < 0.05). The propionate molar proportion was highest in the groups treated with synbiotics, especially in the Syn-1 group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the molar proportion of acetate was also lowest in the Syn-1 group (P < 0.05). In ovo synbiotics treatment increased the villus length : crypt depth ratio in the jejunal mucosa, which might improve nutrient absorption and contribute to the increased weight of chickens. These effects suggest that the in ovo administration of synbiotics may be an effective method to increase bodyweight, improve the short-chain fatty acid caecal profile and increase the villus length : crypt depth ratio in the jejunal mucosa. These effects were more pronounced in the Syn-1 group than the Syn-2 group.

In ovo injection of flavanone on bone quality characteristics, biochemical parameters and antioxidant enzyme status of blood in daily chicks

“…In this study, IOI of naringin in 30 mg increased the weight of recently hatched chickens by stimulating the development of the chick embryo. This is in agreement with other studies in terms of IOI of prebiotic and synbiotic (Miśta et al, 2016), carbohydrates (Ferket & Uni, 2001), and amino acids or antioxidant (El-Senousey et al, 2017).…”

In ovodelivery of various biological supplements, vaccines and drugs in poultry: current knowledge

“…Slawinska et al assured that synbiotics could significantly enhance the gene expression of interleukin‐4 (Th2) and interleukin‐6 (pro‐inflammatory) in the spleen, thereby stimulating B cell proliferation and synthesis of immunoglobulin. The study of Miśta et al concluded that the in ovo administration of synbiotics may be a more practical method to boost BW of broilers, ameliorate the short‐chain fatty acids of caecal profile, and enhance the villus length. In ovo (intra‐amniotic) feeding of synbiotic (inulin and Enterococcus faecium ) did not affect the percentage of hatchability and hatching weight of the chicks.…”

The In Ovo Feeding Administration (Gallus Gallus)—An Emerging In Vivo Approach to Assess Bioactive Compounds with Potential Nutritional Benefits

“…The villi surface area was also observed to increase post intra-amniotic administration of raffinose and stachyose [ 41 , 46 ], chickpea and lentil prebiotics [ 42 ], egg white peptides [ 42 ], symbiotic (inulin, Enterococcus faecium ) [ 48 ], mannan oligosaccharides [ 56 ], carbohydrates (dextrin, maltose, sucrose) [ 57 ], and zinc-methionine [ 58 ]. However, in ovo injected probiotics (inulin, transgalactooligosaccharides, Lactococcus lactis ) did not affect the villi heights, but rather changed the crypts’ depth [ 49 ]. The crypts’ depth increased after the injection of inulin combined with Enterococcus faecium [ 48 ] and mannan oligosaccharides [ 56 ], while the crypts’ depth was not affected by the injection of raffinose [ 46 ].…”

“…Interestingly, the SCFA proportions varied over time in that study. The acetate molar proportion decreased, while the propionate and butyrate proportion increased [ 49 ]. Calik et al (2016) used an approach that combined intra-amniotic with dietary administration to evaluate the effect of inulin with Enterococcus faecium on the SCFA composition [ 48 ].…”