Supplementing phytogenic feed additives improve layer performance during Spotty Liver Disease outbreak by impeding bacterial functions involved in metabolism, energy and pathogenicity

A range of antibiotic alternative products is increasingly studied and manufactured in the current animal agriculture, particularly in the poultry industry. Phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) have been assiduously investigated and are known for their great ability in suppressing pathogens such as Clostridium, Escherichia coli and Salmonella. Other than enhancing biosecurity, improvements in productivity and performance were also observed. However, clear mechanisms of these improvements were not established. In this study, 20,000 Lohman-Brown layers were supplemented with PFAs from 16 to 40 weeks of age, and performance parameters were assessed against unsupplemented control. Cloacal, ileum and cecum contents were collected and analysed using 16S rRNA sequencing to differentiate any modification in the microbial community.

当前畜牧业中，各类抗生素替代产品的研究与生产正日益增多，在家禽养殖业中尤为突出。植物源饲料添加剂（Phytogenic Feed Additives, PFAs）受到了广泛深入的研究，其具备优异的病原菌抑制能力，可有效抑制梭菌属（Clostridium）、大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli）与沙门氏菌（Salmonella）等病原体。除可提升生物安全水平外，该类添加剂还可改善畜禽的生产性能与养殖表现，相关改善效果已被观测到。然而，上述性能改善的具体作用机制尚未明确。本研究选取20000只罗曼褐（Lohman-Brown）蛋鸡，在其16至40周龄的饲养阶段添加PFAs，并以未添加该添加剂的对照组为参照，评估其生产性能参数。研究人员收集了泄殖腔、回肠与盲肠内容物，采用16S rRNA测序技术进行分析，以探究微生物群落的组成变化。