Effect of arginine supplementation on the gut microbial homeostasis of broilers during clinical NE challenge

The onset of necrotic enteritis (NE) in poultry is associated with gut microbial dysbiosis. This 28-day experiment investigated the effect of 25% supplemental arginine on the cecal microbial composition, diversity, and short-chain fatty acid profile of broilers during a clinical NE challenge. Three hundred and sixty one-day-old chicks were randomly allocated to the 4 treatments, 1. Uninfected + Basal, 2. Uninfected + Arg 125%, 3. NE + Basal, and 4. NE + Arg 125% diet groups, with six replicates each. Arginine supplementation was demonstrated to exert a positive effect on restoring the microbial composition during various enteric diseases. In this study, arginine supplementation did not significantly restore the microbial composition or cecal SCFA concentrations of the birds during NE. This might be due to the increased severity of the infection in the model employed or the dose of arginine supplemented. However, this study underscores the complex interplay between NE, arginine supplementation, and gut microbiota dynamics in poultry, providing valuable insights into potential strategies for mitigating NE-associated dysbiosis and enhancing intestinal health in poultry. Further research elucidating the mechanistic underpinnings of arginine's effects on gut microbial composition and host immune responses is warranted to optimize its therapeutic applications in poultry production.