Babazadeh D, Nikpiran H, Vahdatpour S, Changizi N, Jeirani Moghaddam AR

Objectives: The present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic on blood enzymes and internal organ weights of Japanese quails. Materials & Methods: Total of 192 one-day old Japanese quail chicks (mean body weight 7.78±0.39 gram) were randomly assigned in 4 treatments and 4 replicates. The experimental diets consisted of a basal diet without additive (Control), 0.2 g/kg probiotic (Protexin®), 1.6 g/kg prebiotic (Fermacto®) and 1.0 g/kg synbiotic (Biomin®IMBO) added to the basal diet. Results & Conclusion: The males fed additives showed decrease in liver weight (P<0.05). Females fed prebiotic showed decrease in liver weight compared to control and synbiotic-additive groups (P<0.05). The relative weight of heart was decreased in the males fed prebiotic compared to synbiotic fed and control groups (P<0.05). The females fed probiotic showed increase in heart weight (P<0.05). The activity of ALP in males elevated by synbiotic consumption (P<0.05). In females fed additive ALP activity was decreased (P<0.05). In males fed probiotic or synbiotic ALT activity was depressed (P<0.05). AST activity in males fed prebiotic elevated (P<0.05). In both gender CPK activity was higher in prebiotic feeding group (P<0.05). Results indicated that using synbiotic has positive effects on normal activity of enzymes. Prebiotic showed positive effects by reducing heart and liver weights in Japanese quails.

Ali Asnaashari*, Morteza Youssefi and Amir A. Solati

Objective: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of probiotic, symbiotic and phytobiotic on growth performance and immune system of broilers under heat stress. Material and methods: A total of 256 male day-old Hybrid Ross 308 were divided in a completely randomized design with 4*2 factorial arrangement consisting: eight treatments and four replicates. Dietary treatments were fed: 1) Control (without feed additives); 2) Control with probiotic (Primalac) (300mg/kg) ; 3) Control with symbiotic (Biomin IMBO) (1000 mg/kg) and 4) Control with phytobiotic (essential oils) (100 mg/kg) and heat treatments including: 1) normal heat and 2) 39₀С heat were used for 42-d. The traits including feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were measured weekly. Antibody titer against with Gumbro disease was determined by ELISA Kit after 10 days of Gumbro vaccination. At 42 days of age, eight birds from each treatment were selected and then blood drained with wing vein to measure IgM nd IgG by ELISA Kits. Results: The results showed that average daily gain had significant difference between symbiotic supplementation diet and control at grower period (22-42 d), symbiotic supplementation diet had higher weight gain than the other treatments. Overall, the 42-d period was numerically different in symbiotic and phytobiotic supplementation diets. But, body beight gain were not affected by environmental temperature and interactions between dietary treatments and temperature. Also, antibody titer, IgM and IgG for the birds fed to experimental treatments were higher than the birds fed to control (P<0.001). But house environment temperature and interactions between dietary treatments and temperature on immunity system were not significant. Conclusion: Overall, the results showed that inclusion of growth promoters in broilers diet caused improvement in growth performance and immunity system.

Kh. Bazrafshan, M. A. Karimi Torshizi, Sh. Rahimi

Objectives: Prevention of bacterial infections in poultry and poultry products is so important. In recent years the use of alternatives to antibiotics for preventing infection with bacteria has been developed. Probiotics are defined as live microbial food supplements which beneficially affect the host by improving intestinal microbial balance. Probiotics which are sold commercially for veterinary use, are known to confer resistance to infections. This study was conducted to compare the in vitro antagonistic ability of four isolated bacteria from poultry commercial probiotics and a synbiotic against Salmonella and Escherichia coli serotypes as important poultry pathogens. Materials & Methods: Five probiotic bacteria were isolated from four commercial product namely Galipro, Bactocell, synbiotic Biomin®IMBO, Bioplus2B. The media used for isolation of bacteria were BHI and MRS agar. Bacterial cells were removed by centrifuging the cultures at 10000 g for 10 min. Then the supernatant were used for the assay. Poul ry pathogens including three serotypes of Salmonella i.e. Enteritidis, Pullorum, Typhimurium, and three Escherichia coli serotypes, viz. E. coli: O1:K1 O2:K1 and O78:K80. Antagonistic activity was determined by agar well diffusion method. The test for each isolate was carried out three times in duplicate. Results & Conclusion: Among isolated bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, B. licheniformis, Enterococcus faecium and Pediococus acidilactici) E. faecium, and Pediococus acidilactici were able to inhibit the growth of all three serotypes of Salmonella and Escherichia coli. Pediococus was significantly more effective in preventing the growth of all six pathogens except E. coli O2:K1 (P<0.01) and maximum inhibition zone was belonging to S. Pullorum (16.48 mm). E. faecium retained the strongest antagonistic activity against E. coli O2:K1. Bacilli were not able to inhibit the growth of selected poultry pathogens. In the recent years finding methods to control enteropathogens E. coli and Salmonella are of great importance o poultry industry. In this study the efficiency of four commercial probiotics to control of these enteropathogens was assayed. The results demonstrated that two isolated bacteria from commercial prod ucts showed ability to control selected pathogens, therefore these products are of valuable feature to control enteropathogenic E. coli and Salmonella.

T. Steiner, A. Kroismayr, M. Mohnl, R. Nichol, and S. Attamankune

Zamani Moghadam A. K, Mayahi M, Khosravi M.

Due to growing concerns about antibiotic resistance and the potential for a ban for antibiotic growth promoters, there is an increasing interest in finding alternatives to antibiotics in poultry production. Therefore probiotic bacterial or fungal origin used as alternatives to antibiotic growth stimuli. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of Biomin (Biomin contains of Enterococcus faecium (a probiotic), Fructo-Oligosacharide (a prebiotic) and particles of immune stimulator, similar to cell wall particles) on immune response against Newcastle vaccine and performance of Ross 308 broiler chickens. Materials & Methods: 180 d ay-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted into three groups in four replicates. Groups 2 and 3 received 0.1% and 0.2 % Biomin respectively; Group 1 did not receive any Biomin in the diet. All groups received oil Newcastle vaccine at 9 days old. Other vaccination programs arranged based on local area. Blood samples were collected 4 times and HI tests were perform on serum samples of chickens. The performance of different groups such as weight and feed consumption and feed conversation rate was measured during the breeding period. Results & Conclusion: In 14 days after vaccination with oil Newcastle vaccine between the groups received 0.2 percent Biomin and control group significant difference was observed. Antibody titer against Newcastle in groups received Biomin in 19 and 29 days after vaccination were higher than control group. At 42 days of age, groups fed the diet containing Biomin had body weight significantly higher than control group. Results indicated that Biomin effects on increasing oil Newcastle vaccine induced immunity and improve body weight.

Amani A, Shahbazi Y, Talebi A

Objectives: Young animals, due to their underdeveloped gut microflora and their immature immune system, are highly susceptible to pathogenic infections which results in poor performance. To withstand pathogens a protective gut micro flora and an optimized unspecific immune system are crucial. For this aims application of pre and probiotic in poultry industry increasing nowadays. Hence, this study was designed to investigate the effects of Biomin Imbo as a biosymbiotic on antibody responses to vaccination against Newcastle disease and avian influenza in broiler chickens (strain Ross 308). Materials & Methods: One hundred eighty broiler chicks were randomly allocated to three groups: (A) vaccinated+diet containing Biomin Imbo, (B) vaccinated+diet without Biomin Imbo, and (C) control (unvaccinated+diet without Biomin Imbo). Synbiotic was used as recommended by manufacturer. Vaccination was carried out according to the routine regional vaccination program (Vaccinations against ND at 11 and 21 days of age and agai st AI at 11 days of age were performed). Blood samples were collected on day 0 and then at weekly intervals until 42 days old. Heamagglutination- inhibition test (HI) was used for evaluation of antibody titers against ND and AI in the collected sera. Results & Conclusion: Antibody titers of vaccinated chickens were increased while those of control chickens were steadily decreased indicating that there was no environmental contamination in regards to ND. Antibody titers against ND in the vaccinated chickens peaked on day 35, nearly 3 weeks post-inoculation (pi) and the group treated with Biomin Imbo had the highest antibody titer when compared with those of only vaccinated chickens. In the case of AI, maternally derived antibody (MDA) of the control group gradually reduced and reaches to undetectable level around day 42, while those of vaccinated chickens increased steadily following vaccination. Antibody titers of chickens treatedwith Biomin Imbo had higher level in comparison to the only vaccinated group. Hi gher antibody titers of the chickens treated with Biomin Imbo observed during this study could be attributed to enhancement effects of Biomin Imbo on antibody titers of the chickens as it has been reported that optimal nutritional status could have a great impact on health status and may enhance immune function, indicated by increased vaccine response following vaccination.

N. Simsek, I. Can, A. Karadeniz, A. Kara and R. Gumus

The present study aimed to evaluate immunohistochemical changes of mucinand serotonin-releasing cells in the small intestine induced by various dietary supplementations in quails. A total of 300 one day old quails were randomly divided into 5 equal groups according to the 5 weeks long supplementation: whereas birds of the group 1 were fed with basal diet, the others were supplemented with prebiotics/probiotics (1 g/kg food, group 2), with organic acids (4 g/kg food, group 3), with both prebiotics/probiotics and organic acids (same dosages, group 4) or with antibiotic (active form of avilamycin, 10 mg/kg food, group 5). Weight growth and food intake were not modified among groups. Density of goblet cells were markedly increased mainly in ileum in all supplemented groups except for the group 5 and in birds co-treated with prebiotics/probiotics and organic acids, the effect was maximal and extended to duodenum and jejunum whereas in antibiotic treated quails the goblet cells were dramatically depleted. In parall l, the number of intestinal serotonin positive (closed and opened types) cells has significantly declined in all supplemented birds: cell depletion was highest in antibiotic supplemented birds and lowest in those supplemented with only organic acids. Additionally, the villus height / crypt depth ratio was also diminished in ileum from birds receiving antibiotic, prebiotics/probiotics alone or combined to organic acids. These results show that antibiotic and other dietary additives alter differently intestinal morphology and especially density of mucin- and serotonin-releasing cells.

R. Beltran, G. Schatzmayr, A. Klimitsch, K. Sacherer

Background: Due to the near ban of antibiotic growth promoters in the EU and increase consumer demands to minimize prophylactic use of antibiotics; the need to find replacements is evident. Probiotics used to enhance intestinal health has shown great potential in poultry and livestock production. Probiotics are defined as viable microorganisms that have a beneficial effect in the prevention and treatment of specific pathologic conditions when consumed. Prebiotics are nondigestible food ingredients that benefit the host by selectively stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria. Cell wall fragments are used to prevent pathogen adherence by blocking specific receptor binding sites in the gut. It has been known that the efficacy of probiotics can be generally measured through observing body weight gain, feed conversion ration, as well as mortality. Objective: To test the effect of BiominÃ’ C-EX and BiominÃ’ IMBO (probiotic, prebiotic & immune substances) on the productivity of broiler chickens under field cond ions. Design and Setting: 77,800 broilers of Strain Ross 308 were obtained. The birds were divided into 3 groups placed in different houses. Group 1 contained 26,300 broilers and group 2 contained 27,500 broilers. No additives were given in groups 1 and 2. Group 3 contained 24,000 broilers given Biomin Ã’C-EX and BiominÃ’ IMBO. The manufacturer recommend dose consisted of the following treatment: C-EX spray application day 1, and day 2 and 3 C-EX was given via drinking water at 20g/1000 birds. BiominÃ’IMBO was mixed directly in the finished feed at 1 kg/ton. All animals were kept on dry litter and water and feed given ad libitum. Body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and percent mortality were recorded. The length of the experiment was 42 days. Results: By using a combination of probiotics, prebiotics and cell wall fragments, improvements in BWG, FCR, and mortality were observed. Conclusions: Our findings suggest by applying Biomin C-EX and Biomin IMBO under field conditions improved the health performance in broilers.

Wageha Awad, Khaled Ghareeb and Josef Böhm

A feeding trial was conducted on broiler chickens to study the effects of the synbiotic BIOMIN IMBO [a combination of Enterococcus faecium, a prebiotic (derived from chicory) and immune modulating substances (derived from sea algae)], with a dose of 1 kg/ton of the starter diets and 0.5 kg/ton of the grower diets on the intestinal morphometry and nutrient absorption. The general performance was improved (P < 0.05) by the dietary inclusion of synbiotic compared with the controls. Furthermore, the addition of synbiotic increased (P < 0.001) the villus height/crypt depth ratio and villus height in ileum. However, the ileal crypt depth was decreased by dietary supplementation of synbiotic compared with control. The addition of glucose in Ussing chamber produced a significant increase (P ≤ 0.001) in short-circuit current (Isc) in jejunum and colon relative to the basal values in both synbiotic and control groups. However, in jejunum the percentage of Isc increase after glucose addition was higher for synbiotic gro (333 %) than control group (45 %). In conclusion, dietary inclusion of synbiotic BIOMIN IMBO increased the growth performance and improved intestinal morphology and nutrient absorption.

Lidija Peric, Niko Milosevic, Dragan Žikic, Sinisa Bjedov, Dragoljub Cvetkovic, Sinsia Markov, Michaela Mohnl and Tobias Steiner

The trial involved 684 Cobb 500 broiler chicks in order to investigate the effects of probiotics and phytogenic additives on performance, gut morphology and cecal microbial concentrations. Birds were assigned to three treatments: control feed, treatment with addition of probiotics in feed and water and treatment with addition of phytogenic blend in feed. The results showed a significant improvement (P<0.01) in body weight gain and a numerical, but non significant (P>0.05) improvement in feed conversion ratio by adding both probiotics and phytogenics in feed. There were no statistically significant differences among treatments regarding total aerobes, anaerobes, lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria, enterococci, and Escherichia coli populations (P>0.05) in cecum of broilers. The gut morphology examination showed that probiotics had beneficial effect on jejunum morphology causing a significant (P<0.005) increase in villus height and villus surface area compared to other two groups. On the other hand, phytogenic dditive had no effect (P>0.05) on villus height or villus surface area, but reduced the villus/crypt ratio (P<0.05), which may indicate that the improved production results in the group with added phytogenics are not directly connected with changes in gut integrity, but with other physiological mechanisms.