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Pakistan veterinary journal
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad , Pakistan
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Abstract: |
Antibiotic-resistant microorganisms may lead to treatment failure and economic losses in the
poultry industry and threaten public health. One of the main factors involved in the
increasing emergence of antimicrobial resistance is the non-judicious use of antimicrobial
agents as growth promoters in poultry and animal production. The search for natural
alternatives to growth promoters to antimicrobial agents is continuous and crucial. This
investigation focused on the probiotic strains extracted from the gastrointestinal tracts of
poultry reared in various habitation types. The selected strain with antioxidant properties
was Bacillus toyonensis (BT) M44, used as a probiotic dietary supplement and antibiotic
alternative, then investigated its effects on growth performance, blood biochemical
parameters, immune response, gut microbiota, and meat quality of IR broilers. Bacillus
toyonensis M44 exhibited potent antibacterial activity against MDR microorganisms, as
evidenced by MICs ranging from 5% to 10%. A total of 160 IR chicks were allocated into
four groups randomly, each consisting of (10 x 4) chicks. The control group was
administered a basal diet; the remaining three groups were provided the control diets
containing BT at concentrations of 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 mg/kg. The results indicated that BT-
supplemented groups showed increased body weights, weight gain, growth rate, and
performance index and reduced feed conversion ratio during the two growth periods
compared to control. The best results were obtained with BT 1.6 mg/kg for the antecedent
growth metrics. Chicks receiving BT (0.4 mg/kg) had improved renal functions and lower
uric acid and creatinine levels than the other groups. Moreover, ALT and AST levels P<0.05
decreased with BT doses compared to the control. BT 1.6 mg/kg produced the best liver
function results; the histopathological studies confirmed that BT addition didn't affect the
liver and intestine structure. Adding Bacillus toyonensis M44 to the diet formulation
improved (P<0.05) lipid profile, immune response, thyroid functions, and gut microflora
compared to the control group. Additionally, BT enhanced the chicken meat's juiciness and
tenderness characteristics and improved its moisture and protein content; the meat color was
also enhanced. Generally, supplementing IR chicken with BT could improve growth
performance and blood biochemistry, modulate the gut microflora structure, and enhance the
meat quality.
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