Propionibacteria as a new potential probiotic for poultry

ARGAÑARAZ MARTÍNEZ E.; BABOT J.D.; APELLA M. C.; PEREZ CHAIA A.

WORLDS POULTRY SCIENCE JOURNAL

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Lugar: Beekbergen; Año: 2012 vol. 1 p. 541 - 544

0043-9339

Different probiotics have lately been successfully used to improve poultry production and prevent infections. The potential application of propionibacteria (PAB) as probiotics is principally due to their production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) which stimulates intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation as well as electrolyte and water absorption, thus enhancing mucus production. Our aim was to assess the effect of PAB strain administration (Propionibacterium acidipropionici LET105. LET107. and P. avidum LET106) previously selected for probiotic properties and safety. Broilers were divided into a control and three treatment groups. Strains were administered in drinking water at a dose of 106 CFU/mL/day for 14 days. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. At day 0, 7 and 14, broilers were sacrificed. intestinal samples (ileon) were taken for histological studies and cecal contents were collected for SCFA quantification. Body weight, food and water intake were determined. A significant increase of SCFA concentrations was observed in all groups during the trial. At days 7 and 14, levels were higher in the control than in the treated groups. Histological studies revealed an increase of villi mucosal surface and goblet cell numbers in the treated groups, implying enhanced mucus production. No significant differences in body weight, food and water intake were observed in treated broilers compared to control. These results suggest that PAB administration influences intestinal epithelial development. A higher absorption of SCFA could explain the significant histological changes observed in treated animals. Further microbiota analysis will be carried out to better understand these effects.