A decrease in dietary P, especially in finishing broilers (21 to 38 d old), is a crucial issue in poultry production from an environmental and econom

In the antibiotics-free era, stimbiotic (STB) has been suggested as a new alternative of antibiotic growth promoters to modulate intestinal health via stimulating dietary fiber utilization in poultry production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of STB supplementation in corn- or wheat-basal diet on growth performance, intestinal development, and function of broilers. A total of 512 one-day-old Arbor Acres(AA)broilers were randomly allocated 4 treatments, including corn group (CG), corn + 100 g/t STB (CG + STB), wheat group (WG), wheat + 100 g/t STB (WG + STB). The broilers were weighed at the days of 14, 28, and 42, of which 8 repetitions per treatment were randomly selected to determine the intestinal morphology, intestinal barrier, and cecal microbiota and metabolites. Our data showed that STB increased (P < 0.05) feed intake, body weight and reduced FCR for the overall period (0-42 d). At 28 d of age, significant increases in villus height and the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (V/C) were found in the STB supplementation groups (P < 0.05). Addition of STB significantly increased intestinal mucosal DAO and AMPK enzyme activity and the gene expression of OCLN, CLDN1, ZO1, MUC2, SGLT1, PEPT1, FABP2, Ghrelin, and GCG in jejunum (P < 0.05), and significantly decreased the expression of the PYY gene. In addition, STB increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Oscillospirales (P < 0.05). A significant increase in cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) concentration was also observed in the STB supplementation groups. At the cellular level, STB cannot directly increase the expression of small intestinal epithelial cells, and may indirectly improve intestinal barrier function by increasing the level of sodium butyrate. Overall, these results indicated that STB supplementation could improve the growth performance, intestinal development and barrier functions, and fiber fermentation in cecum of broiler chickens.

Background: Two experiments were conducted to establish an optimal NE challenge model and evaluate the efficacy of stimbiotic (STB) supplementation in necrotic enteritis (NE) challenged broilers. In Exp. 1, a total of 120 Arbor Acres (AA) broilers (45.0 ± 0.21 g) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. Vaccine treatments included non-challenge (0), × 10 the recommended dose (× 10) or × 20 the recommended dose (× 20) by the manufacturer. Clostridium perfringens (CP) treatments were non-challenge (No) or 3 mL of 2.2 × 10⁷ CFU CP challenge (Yes). In Exp. 2, a total of 72 AA broilers (40.17 ± 0.27 g) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. Dietary treatments included non-additive (CON), 100 mg/kg STB (STB) and 100 mg/kg STB on top of a typical commercial blend including an essential oil, probiotics, and enzyme (CB). Challenge treatments included non-NE challenge (No) and NE challenge (Yes) as established in Exp. 1. Results: In Exp. 1, CP and vaccine challenge decreased (P < 0.05) body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI), and increased (P < 0.05) the number of broilers with diarrhea and intestinal lesions. The oral administration of × 20 recommended dose of vaccines coupled with 3 mL of 2.2 × 10⁷ CFU CP resulted in (P < 0.01) a significantly increased incidence of wet litter and intestinal lesions. Thus, this treatment was chosen as the challenge model for the successful inducement of NE in Exp. 2. In Exp. 2, the NE challenge negatively affected (P < 0.01) growth performance, ileal morphology, immunoglobulin contents in blood, caecal microbiota in the caecum, footpad dermatitis, intestinal lesion scores, tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) and endotoxin in the serum compared with the non-NE challenged birds. The supplementation of STB and CB in diets enhanced (P < 0.05) growth performance, intestinal microbiota, and blood profiles by stimulating ileal morphology (VH and VH:CD) and propionate production in the cecum, and there were no differences in measured variables between STB and CB supplemented birds. Conclusion: Overall, these results indicate that STB supplementation was able to reduce the inflammatory response and improve the performance of NE challenged birds, and the supplementation of STB alone was as effective as a typical commercial blend containing a number of other additives.

This study evaluated the effects of increasing phytase levels on serum biochemical parameters and renal and hepatic changes in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) under different temperature conditions. A total of 720 quails were distributed in a 5 × 3 factorial design with five phytase levels (0, 500, 1000, 1500, and 3000 FTU/kg) and three temperature ranges (24, 30, and 36 °C), totaling 15 treatments with six replicates of eight birds each. Data were collected in cycles 2 and 4. The parameters measured included eggshell thickness (ST), total egg production (TEP), liver weight (LW), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (FA), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), urea (URE), creatine kinase (CK), and uric acid (UA). PRO was higher at 30 °C compared to 24 °C and 36 °C. EC showed a significant interaction between phytase levels and temperature, with phytase improving EC, especially at 1500 FTU and 36 °C. PF was not affected in the second cycle but had a quadratic effect in the fourth cycle. Phytase supplementation improved shell thickness and regulated biochemical parameters, especially at high temperatures. Based on these results, a phytase level of 1500 FTU/kg is recommended to optimize performance and mitigate the negative effects of high temperatures on quail health.

Imbalances between calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) impair growth performance and bone mineralization. However, reducing dietary limestone may change the buffering capacity of feed in early nursery piglets, which may help prevent post-weaning diarrhea. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of reducing Ca post weaning compared to recommendations outlined by NRC (2012) or a low P diet. Dietary treatments consisted of 1) Low Ca (LCa; Phase 1, 0.51% Ca and 0.47% STTD P), 2) NRC recommendations (NRC; Phase 1, 0.85% Ca and 0.42% STTD P), and 3) a recommendation lower in phosphorus (LP; Phase 1, 0.65% Ca and 0.36% STTD P). Each diet was fed over 4 phases. Piglets (n = 953; 276/275 Fast X PIC 800 genetics) were blocked by room, sex, and initial BW (6 kg). Feed intake and pig weights were recorded weekly. At 12 d and 41 d, blood was collected and Dual-X ray (DXA) measurements were taken using 8 piglets per treatment. Fecal scores were evaluated during wk 4 and 5. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). There were no differences observed in mortality, overall growth performance, plasma Ca and P, and scour scores at either time point. At 12 d, the bone mineral content was reduced (P = 0.001) in LP pigs compared to LCa and NRC. At 41 d, bone mineral content was reduced in NRC in comparison to LCa while LP was intermediate (P = 0.001). Plasma parameters showed an increased magnesium (Mg) and Ca:Mg in LCa (P < 0.01) that can be related to bone resorption to face Ca hypocalcemia. Pigs were healthy with no enteric challenges, limiting the ability to observe a benefit in fecal scores. In conclusion, piglets can maintain growth and bone mineralization through a short-term limestone removal program.

Moderately fermentable dietary fiber, especially when combined with stimbiotic (STB) supplementation, can enhance intestinal health, nutrient utilization, and overall perfor-mance in laying hens, although effects depend on fiber type, level, and diet composition. To investigate this, 1,200 Bovans White laying hens (32 weeks old) were assigned to a 2 × 6 factorial experiment with two levels of supplementation (without or with 0.01% STB) and six dietary fiber treatments: Control (corn–soybean), Wheat–High CF, 75:25 wheat–corn, 50:50 wheat–corn, 25:75 wheat–corn, and Corn–soybean–Low CF. The study spanned five 28-day periods, evaluating productive performance, egg quality, and intestinal morphol-ogy. Dietary fiber levels significantly improved feed intake, egg production, egg mass, feed conversion, and intestinal structure, while STB alone had limited effects. Hens fed 75:25 and 50:50 wheat–corn diets consumed more feed, and the highest egg production and mass were observed in birds receiving Control, 75:25 wheat–corn, and Wheat–High CF diets. Egg quality benefited from the fiber–STB interaction, producing heavier eggs with higher yolk pigmentation, thicker shells, and greater Haugh unit and specific gravity. STB supplementation increased jejunal villus width and absorptive area, whereas fiber type affected ileal morphology. In conclusion, high dietary fiber improves performance, egg quality, and intestinal health in laying hens, and supplementation with 0.01% STB further enhances these effects.