Probiotics (Direct-Fed Microbials) in Poultry Nutrition and Their Effects on Nutrient Utilization, Growth and Laying Performance, and Gut Health: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Probiotics are live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host. The use of probiotics in poultry has increased steadily over the years due to higher demand for antibiotic-free poultry. The objective of this systematic review is to present and evaluate the effects of probiotics on the nutrient utilization, growth and laying performance, gut histomorphology, immunity, and gut microbiota of poultry. An electronic search was conducted using relevant keywords to include papers pertinent to the topic. Seventeen commonly used probiotic species were critically assessed for their roles in the performance and gut health of poultry under existing commercial production conditions. The results showed that probiotic supplementation could have the following effects: (1) modification of the intestinal microbiota, (2) stimulation of the immune system, (3) reduction in inflammatory reactions, (4) prevention of pathogen colonization, (5) enhancement of growth performance, (6) alteration of the ileal digestibility and total tract apparent digestibility coefficient, and (7) decrease in ammonia and urea excretion. Thus, probiotics can serve as a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production. However, factors such as the intestinal health condition of birds, the probiotic inclusion level; and the incubation conditions, feedstuff, and water quality offered to birds may affect the outcome. This systematic review provides a summary of the use of probiotics in poultry production, as well as the potential role of probiotics in the nutrient utilization, growth and laying performance, and gut health of poultry.

Editorial: Nutritional Intervention for the Intestinal Health of Young Monogastric Animals

“…As various feedstuffs, their components, and feed additives behave and function differently in the GIT of animals, different feeding strategies have been tested, with some success, to improve intestinal health and functionality. Furthermore, there is also a need to evaluate potential alternatives to AGPs in animal diets in the post-antibiotic era [( 3 ); ( Yang et al )]. As potential alternatives to AGPs, different dietary fibers (DF), prebiotics, probiotics, post-biotics, enzymes, and others have been evaluated and found to have promising outcomes ( Zheng et al ).…”

“…As a potential alternative to AGPs, prebiotics including mannan oligosaccharides, b-glucans, and fructans, are gaining more attention to be used in monogastric feeding program as prebiotics have been found to modulate microbial communities and regulate the production of cytokines and antibodies, improving gut development and the overall health of animals ( Teng and Kim ). Similar to prebiotics, different probiotics alone or in combination with other additives like enzymes have also been tried to improve intestinal health and nutrient utilization ( 3 , 22 ). Duarte et al evaluated the symbiotic effect of prebiotic ( Bacillus sp.)…”

“…Poultry and pig production have increased at a faster rate than any other livestock production globally ( 1 ). Among others, nutritionally balanced-feeding programs, along with antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in feeds, played a significant role in achieving this success ( 2 , 3 ). The animal industry, however, aims to redefine its nutrition program to grow safe and quality meat in the light of public health concerns due to the use of AGP in diets ( 1 ).…”

Modulation of Morphology and Glycan Composition of Mucins in Farmed Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) Intestine by the Multi-Strain Probiotic Slab51®

“…Public concern about microbial antibiotic resistance has led to a ban on sub-therapeutic antibiotic usage as a growth promoter for poultry and other livestock in Europe, and there are potential bans in other countries. Probiotics are one of several approaches that have been considered as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production [ 11 ]. Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host” [ 12 ].…”

“…Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host” [ 12 ]. The probiotic microbes contribute in protection of the host against intestinal pathogens through colonization of the intestine [ 13 ] and stimulating immune responses by promoting the endogenous host defense mechanisms and modulating the mucosal immune system [ 11 , 14 ].…”