Effects on Intestinal Mucosal Morphology, Productive Parameters and Microbiota Composition after Supplementation with Fermented Defatted Alperujo (FDA) in Laying Hens

Abstract

The olive oil sector is currently adapting its traditional function to also become a supplier of high-value by-products that possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the fermented defatted alperujo (FDA) on the intestinal health of laying hens. The morphology of the duodenal and cecal mucosa, the composition of the intestinal microbiota and the productivity of a batch of laying hens were evaluated after FDA supplementation. At early life stages, significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed in duodenal villi height and in crypt depth of both the duodenum and the cecum in the FDA-supplemented group, indicating improved intestinal health in this group. Microbiota composition in the hatchery group supplemented with FDA had a higher abundance of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, and higher bacterial diversity. During the production period, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the number of broken eggs from the supplemented group. We conclude that FDA supplementation improves the absorption capacity of the intestinal mucosa and modifies the intestinal microbiota to favor a greater immune response, leading to an increase in egg production.

Reduction of Salmonella Typhimurium Cecal Colonisation and Improvement of Intestinal Health in Broilers Supplemented with Fermented Defatted ‘Alperujo’, an Olive Oil By-Product

“…Controls were fed with conventional broiler feed. Since their arrival, treated animals received the same commercial feed as the control group but were given a supplement of 2% FDA as previously described [ 14 , 15 ]. FDA composition is detailed in Table 1 [ 14 ].…”

“…After fixation, routine histological processing and hematoxylin–eosin staining was carried out as described elsewhere [ 14 , 15 ]. A histopathological study focused on morphological features (villous stunting in duodenum, epithelial injury, crypt hyperplasia, crypt distortion, lamina propria oedema, lacteal dilation, mucosal fibrosis, and hemorrhages) and inflammation (intraepithelial lymphocytes, lamina propria lymphocytes, heterophils, eosinophilic granular cells, and/or macrophages, and mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue) was performed at 7 and 14 days post-infection (dpi).…”

“…A histopathological study focused on morphological features (villous stunting in duodenum, epithelial injury, crypt hyperplasia, crypt distortion, lamina propria oedema, lacteal dilation, mucosal fibrosis, and hemorrhages) and inflammation (intraepithelial lymphocytes, lamina propria lymphocytes, heterophils, eosinophilic granular cells, and/or macrophages, and mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue) was performed at 7 and 14 days post-infection (dpi). In addition, samples of duodenum and cecum were subjected to a histomorphometric analysis at 400× magnifications employing an image analyzer (Leica Application Suite, Leica, Wetzlar, Germany), as described elsewhere [ 14 , 15 ]. Twenty intact and well-oriented villi in duodenum and 20 crypts in duodenum and cecum were measured in each animal.…”

“…In broilers and laying hens, direct supplementation of fermented defatted ‘alperujo’ (FDA) has been shown to improve intestinal morphology and induce changes in the microbiota [ 14 , 15 ], suggesting a beneficial effect on intestinal health. The improvement in the response of intestinal mucosa to eventual damage may lead to controlling Salmonella spp.…”

Diet Supplementation with a Bioactive Pomace Extract from Olea europaea Partially Mitigates Negative Effects on Gut Health Arising from a Short-Term Fasting Period in Broiler Chickens

“…By-products from olive oil mill processing are rich in bioactive substances, including polyphenols, triterpenic acids and oleuropeosides, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties [8][9][10]. During the last years, many studies have focused on the utilization of these by-products in poultry feeding, showing positive effects in broiler chickens' growth performance and antioxidant capacity [11,12], or enhancing egg weight, yolk index, intestinal absorption capacity with no negative effects on laying hens' performance [13,14]. Moreover, several authors have tested different olive pomace extracts in broiler chickens, pigs, cattle and sea bream, showing positive results in intestinal health, gut integrity and innate immune functions [15][16][17][18].…”