Use of Bacillus subtilis PB6 enriched with choline to improve growth performance, immune status, histological parameters and intestinal microbiota of broiler chickens

Abstract

Context Probiotics used in poultry nutrition may promote the propagation of beneficial bacteria and limit the growth of pathogens, improving the body’s resistance to disease. Aims The aim of the study was to establish the dose and timing of administration of a probiotic preparation containing live cultures of Bacillus subtilis PB6 and choline that would have the most beneficial effect on histological parameters and microbiological status of the intestine, immune status, and growth performance of broiler chickens. Methods In total, 980 one-day-old Ross 308 male chickens, divided into seven groups of 140 (each group with seven replications of 20 individuals), were used in the experiment. The birds were reared until Day 42 of life. In the control group, birds received water without addition of the probiotic preparation. In three continuous treatments, birds received the probiotic preparation in their water at doses of 0.05, 0.1 or 0.25 g/L from Day 1 to Day 42 of rearing. In three periodic treatments, birds received the same doses of the probiotic preparation, but only during Days 1–7, 15–21 and 29–35 of rearing. Key results Addition of the probiotic preparation to the drinking water of broiler chickens increased the total number of aerobic bacteria as well as the length of the intestinal villi and the depth of the crypts. It also reduced the number of fungi and coliform bacteria. In addition, increases were noted in the lysozyme content, the phagocytic index, and the level of immunoglobulin A. Conclusions The probiotic preparation containing B. subtilis and choline administered continuously at a dose of 0.25 g/L in water throughout the rearing period had the most beneficial effect on the composition of the microbiome, and improved the mucous membrane structure of the intestine (increasing villus length and intestinal crypt depth), immunity, and growth performance of the broiler chickens. Implications The use of probiotics in poultry nutrition improves the health of animals and makes breeding more profitable. Administration of this probiotic improves disease resistance, jejunal histological parameters, and intestinal microflora of broiler chickens.

Preventive antimicrobial action and tissue architecture ameliorations of Bacillus subtilis in challenged broilers

“…The histopathological photomicrographs revealed that supplementing broilers with 2.0 g/L B. subtilis probiotics could produce improved and near-normal histopathological pictures of livers and hearts with lymphoid hyperplasia in the bursas of Fabricius, thymuses, and spleens of broilers challenged with E. coli O157: H7 and S. Typhimurium. The current results were consistent with those reported by Abramowicz et al [73] and Adhikari et al [74], who revealed that B. subtilis supplementation in broiler chickens was able to enhance the histopathological structure of the intestine, improved intestinal microbiota actions, and enhanced its barriers to reduce the incidence of necrosis. Huang et al [75] also revealed that supplementing broiler chickens with C. butyricum probiotics improved the structure of the intestinal walls, reduced the incidence of necrotic enteritis, and enhanced the local immune response against pathogenic microorganisms.…”

Use of encapsulated Bacillus subtilis and essential oils to improve antioxidant and immune status of blood and production and hatching performance of laying hens

“…Bacillus subtilis (BS) is a commonly and widely used probiotic bacterium that can be incorporated in poultry diets for its beneficial advantages. A growing body of scientific studies reported that BS can improve the growth and laying performance (Neijat et al 2019;Abramowicz et al 2020;Hussein et al 2020). Additionally, a noteworthy improvement of the activities oxidative stress and immune response in chicken (Abramowicz et al 2019;Abudabos et al 2019;Park et al 2020), duck (Zhang et al 2016), and quail (Abdel-Moneim et al 2020) has been demonstrated.…”

Oxidative and Epigenetic Changes and Gut Permeability Response in Early-Treated Chickens with Antibiotic or Probiotic

“…There are reports indicating that some strains of probiotic bacteria also reduce inflammation of the intestinal mucosa by modulating the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other inflammatory mediators [57,58]. In studies by Krauze et al [14] and Abramowicz et al [19], the use of a probiotic containing Bacillus subtilis in the diet of chickens reduced the level of pro-inflammatory interleukin 6.…”

“…However, on the birds' last day of life, elevated PC levels were not noted in either the small intestinal wall or the blood plasma of chickens receiving either the probiotic or the antibiotic. Literature data show that probiotics exhibit antioxidant activity [14,19,43]. Xue et al [43], in a study on laying hens receiving a probiotic containing B. subtilis strains, found that this supplement had no effect on the PC level in the muscles.…”

“…Most probiotics are bacteria colonizing the gastrointestinal tract of animals and act as bacterial community stabilizers or antimicrobials against undesirable bacterial species [15][16][17]. Previous research shows that the use of probiotics in poultry nutrition improves gut health by modulating the intestinal microbiota and nutrient absorption and also strengthens the immune and antioxidant system [14,[18][19][20]. Probiotics are believed to have a beneficial effect on the gut microbiota by limiting the colonization of the gut by harmful microorganisms while promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms [21,22].…”