Metabolic and microbiota response to arginine supplementation and cyclic heat stress in broiler chickens

Abstract

Little attention has been paid to the biological role of arginine and its dietary supplementation in broilers under heat stress (HS) conditions. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to assess the response of broilers to arginine supplementation and cyclic HS, with a focus on liver, pectoral muscle, and blood metabolic profiles and the cecal microbiota. Day-old male Ross 308 broilers (n = 240) were placed in 2 rooms with 12 pens each for a 44-day trial. Pens were assigned to one of two groups (6 pens/group/room): the control group (CON) was given a basal diet in mash form and the treated group (ARG) was fed CON diet supplemented with crystalline L-arginine. The total arginine:lysine ratio of CON diet ranged between 1.02 and 1.07, while that of ARG diet was 1.20. One room was constantly kept at thermoneutral (TN) conditions, while the birds in the other room were kept at TN conditions until D34 and subjected to cyclic HS from D35 onwards (∼34°C; 9:00 A.M.–6:00 P.M.). Blood, liver, Pectoralis major muscle, and cecal content were taken from 2 birds per pen (12 birds/group/room) for metabolomics and microbiota analysis. Growth performance data were also collected on a pen basis. Arginine supplementation failed to reduce the adverse effects of HS on growth performance. Supplemented birds showed increased levels of arginine and creatine in plasma, liver, and P. major and methionine in liver, and reduced levels of glutamine in plasma, liver, and P. major. HS altered bioenergetic processes (increased levels of AMP and reduced levels of fumarate, succinate, and UDP), protein metabolism (increased protein breakdown to supply the liver with amino acids for energy production), and promoted the accumulation of antioxidant and protective molecules (histidine-containing dipeptides, beta-alanine, and choline), especially in P. major. Arginine supplementation may have partially counterbalanced the effects of HS on energy homeostasis by increasing creatine levels and attenuating the increase in AMP levels, particularly in P. major. It also significantly reduced cecal observed diversity, while HS increased alpha diversity indices and affected beta diversity. Results of taxonomic analysis at the phylum and family level are also provided.

Heat Stress and Cultivable Intestinal Bacteria of Lehmann Brown Hens

“…A significant decrease in feed intake, body weight gain, and feed efficiency has been reported in many studies conducted on birds and other animals (Nawaz, 2021). The birds' gut microbiota is changing, too (Brugaletta, et al, 2023). Considering the latter, the investigation of cultivated bacteria extracted from the gut microbiota of hens exposed to heat stress has served as the aim of the current study.…”

Effect of Adding Rumex vesicarius Powder and Vitamin C to the Diet on Some Productive Characteristics of Broilers Exposed to Heat Stress

“…Heat stress adversely affects the well-being and efficiency of poultry birds, posing significant challenges for poultry breeders in tropical and subtropical areas [1]. Heat stress is a phenomenon that arises when the temperature experienced by an animal's body exceeds the rate at which heat is conducted away from the body and transferred to the surrounding environment [2,3]. The sensitivity of poultry birds to heat stress might be attributed to physiological factors such as their elevated metabolic rate and the absence of sweat glands in their skin [1,4].…”

“…Under heat stress, the phenomenon is associated with the production of a vast amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and consequently, oxidative stress (OS) within the cellular system of broiler chickens. The high levels of oxidative stress are associated with the degradation of vital proteins, lipids, and DNA [2,5]. Medicinal plants inclusion in poultry feed holds importance because of the bioactive compounds that have the ability to counter the effects of heat stress [6,7].…”

The effects of essential oil from Lippia origanoides and herbal betaine on performance, intestinal integrity, bone mineralization and meat quality in broiler chickens subjected to cyclic heat stress

“…There are several ways to mitigate the negative effects of heat stress in poultry, including ventilation and cooling schemes, ensuring access to cool water, adjusting feeding schedules to cooler parts of the day, providing shade in outdoor areas and to avoid handling or transporting chickens during the hottest parts of the day ( Brugaletta et al, 2023 ; Rebez et al, 2023 ).…”