Supplemental Effects of Phytase on Modulation of Mucosa-Associated Microbiota in the Jejunum and the Impacts on Nutrient Digestibility, Intestinal Morphology, and Bone Parameters in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This study aimed to determine supplemental effects of phytase on modulation of the mucosa-associated microbiota in the jejunum, intestinal morphology, nutrient digestibility, bone parameters, and growth performance of broiler chickens. Three hundred and sixty newly hatched broiler chickens (Ross 308) (44 ± 2 g BW) were randomly allotted in 6 treatments with 10 birds per cage based on a completely randomized design and fed for 27 d. The treatments consisted of one negative control (NC), diet formulated meeting the requirements suggested by Ross recommendations (2019), and without phytase supplementation. The other treatments consisted of a positive control diet (PC) formulated with 0.15% deficient Ca and P and split into 5 treatments with different phytase inclusion levels (0, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 FTU/kg feed). Titanium dioxide (0.4%) was added to feeds as an indigestible marker to measure apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients. On d 27, 3 birds were randomly selected from each cage and euthanized to collect samples for analyzing the mucosa-associated microbiota in the jejunum, oxidative stress status, AID, and bone parameters. Data were analyzed using the proc Mixed of SAS 9.4. Phytase supplementation tended to have a quadratic effect (p = 0.078) on the overall ADG (maximum: 41 g/d at 2833 FTU/kg of feed). Supplementation of phytase at 2,000 FTU/kg increased (p < 0.05) the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and reduced (p < 0.05) Pelomonas. Moreover, it tended to reduce Helicobacter (p = 0.085), Pseudomonas (p = 0.090) Sphingomonas (p = 0.071). Phytase supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the villus height and the AID of CP; and tended to increase (p = 0.086) the AID of P. Phytase supplementation increased (p < 0.05) breaking strength and P content in the tibia. In conclusion, phytase supplementation showed potential benefits on the modulation of the mucosa-associated microbiota in the jejunum by tending to reduce harmful bacteria (Pelomonas, Helicobacter, and Pseudomonas) and increase beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus). In addition, it showed positive effects increasing apparent ileal digestibility of CP and P, enhancing intestinal morphology (villus height), and improving the bone parameters (bone breaking strength, ash, and P content). Phytase supplementation at a range of 38 to 59 FTU/d or 600 to 950 FTU/kg of feed provided the most benefits related to nutrient digestibility.

Functional roles of xylanase enhancing intestinal health and growth performance of nursery pigs by reducing the digesta viscosity and modulating the mucosa-associated microbiota in the jejunum

“…Preplanned contrasts were made to evaluate the effects of the dietary inclusion of xylanase compared with no inclusion (0 vs. Xyl). When significant or tendency effects were found, the data were further analyzed using the NLMIXED procedure to determine the break point to obtain the optimal xylanase supplemental level, as previously described ( Shen et al, 2012 ; Moita et al, 2021a ). The predictor was set by multiplying the xylanase inclusion (XU per kg feed) with the ADFI (0.598 kg/d) to account for the feed consumption of the animals through the experimental period (XU per d).…”

The Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Gut Bacteria and Bone Strength of Broilers Offered Alternative, Sustainable Diets Varying in Nutrient Specification and Phytase Dose

“…The gut microbiota of chickens is composed of hundreds of microbial species, of which the most common belong to the Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria phyla [27,74], although the structure of the community differs along the gastro-intestinal tract. The present study found the most abundant genera belong to the phyla Firmicutes and Actinobacteria (Supplementary Table S1).…”

“…There is recent evidence to suggest that phytase superdosing increases the abundance of beneficial bacteria, e.g., Lactobacillus, and reduces the abundance of the harmful bacteria in the jejunum (Pelomonas, Helicobacter and Pseudomonas) [27,28], thus potentially positively influencing the microbiota in the gut. The phytase superdose treatment also promoted a shift in the microbial composition of the jejunum digesta, specifically increasing the abundance of Weissella spp.…”

“…These findings have been reiterated by the work of others [6,8,12,[22][23][24][25] all of which have reported additional beneficial effects to superdosing. There is also evidence to suggest that phytase superdosing can alter the morphology of the intestine, e.g., increased villi height and villi height to crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) [26,27] and the gut microbiota by increasing beneficial bacteria, e.g., Lactobacillus, while reducing harmful bacteria [27,28], ultimately improving broiler gut health and facilitating the improved absorption of nutrients.…”

Comparison of functional-oil blend and anticoccidial antibiotics effects on performance and microbiota of broiler chickens challenged by coccidiosis

“…Corroborating the results of this study, Vieira et al [ 9 ], working with CNSL–castor oil alone, also observed an increase in Firmicutes in broilers challenged with coccidiosis, which was not observed when only monensin was added. Using this same product, an increase in Firmicutes was observed in newly weaned piglets; this a phase where there is a disturbance in the balance of the intestinal microbiota [ 9 , 40 ].…”