The Effects of Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri Pg4 Strain on Intestinal Characteristics and Performance in Broilers

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using L. reuteri Pg4, a strain isolated from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of healthy broilers, as a probiotic. In preliminary in vitro studies the Pg4 strain was proven capable of tolerating acid and bile salts, inhibiting pathogenic bacteria and can adhere to intestinal epithelial cells. The probiotic properties were then evaluated on the basis of the broiler's growth performance, intestinal microbial population and cecal volatile fatty acid and lactic acid concentrations under conventional feeding. Dietary supplementation of dried L. reuteri Pg4 decreased significantly feed intake in grower chickens and improved significantly the feed conversion by 5% in a 0-6 weeks feeding period compared with the control group. The Lactobacillus counts in the crop, ileum, and cecum of the probiotic group were higher than in the control group. The L. reuteri Pg4 strain was traceable in the GI tract of probiotic supplemented chicks and showed capability of survival in the intestine for a protracted period. The probiotic group had a higher lactic acid concentration and lower pH value in the cecum than the control chicks. Probiotic supplement also affected the histology of the intestinal mucosa of chicks. The present findings demonstrated that L. reuteri Pg4 possesses probiotic characteristics and it is suggested, therefore, that the organism could be a candidate for a new probiotic strain.

Evaluation of Probiotic Potential of Some Native Lactobacillus Strains on the Growth Performance and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Japanese Quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) during Rearing Period

“…Kalavathy et al (2003) reported that the supplementation of probiotics in broiler diets improved their body weight gain and feed conversion ratio from 1 to 42 days of age. Yu et al (2007) also showed that the supplementation of an intestinal Lactobacillus reuteri strain to a wheatbased diet increased body weight gain of broilers from 1 to 21 days of age. Moreover, Khaksefidi & Ghoorchi (2006) reported that the body weight gain and feed conversion ratio of broilers fed probiotics …”

“…These results are in accordance with those of Kizerwetter-Swida & Binek (2009) who indicated that the Lactobacillus salivarius decreased the number of Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella Enteritidis in the group of chickens treated with Lactobacillus. Yu et al (2007) evaluated the effects of probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri strain Pg4 on the performance and intestinal characteristics of broilers, and reported that the Lactobacillus populations in the ileum, crop, and cecum of the broilers fed probiotics were higher than those in the control group. Other studies have also shown the potential of probiotics to populate the gut microflora of broiler chickens with beneficial bacteria and to supress the growth potentially pathogenic bacteria (Vicente et al, 2008).…”

Effects of Bacillus subtilis, Kefir and β-Glucan Supplementation on Growth Performance, Blood Characteristics, Meat Quality and Intestine Microbiota in Broilers

“…Lactobacillus culture into broiler feed result in an increase in feed conversion ratio (Yu et al, 2007;Chen et al, 2016). It is noteworthy that the different effects of probiotics, including relation of intestinal microflora (Yu et al, 2007;Chen et al, 2016) and immune system ).…”

“…It is noteworthy that the different effects of probiotics, including relation of intestinal microflora (Yu et al, 2007;Chen et al, 2016) and immune system ). In the current experiment, the results showed that the kefir makes suitable environment for microbial and it would be helped on the immune system.…”

A Potent Probiotic Strain from Cheddar Cheese

“…Similarly in their study Lactobacillus acidphilus shows 39.2% adhesion to xylene. As suggested by others, the high cell surface hydrophobicity of the present strain could indicate its potential to attach to the epithelial cell lining of the intestine and resist the movement of digesta [32]. Ram and Chander [30] have studied the influence of different growth media and observed that maximum percent (80-89%) adhesion of B. bifidum was with Motility Indole Lysine Sulfide medium (MILS medium) followed by MRS-lactose broth (68-79%).…”