Isolation of putative probionts from cod rearing environment

Survival problems are encountered at early stages of intensive fish rearing and antibiotics are widely used to remedy the situation. Probiotics may provide a potential alternative method to protect larvae from opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria and promote a balanced environment. This study was designed to search for new probiotics to target this critical period in cod rearing. Potential probionts were selected from the natural microbiota of cod aquacultural environment. The selection was based on several criteria: pathogen inhibition potential, growth characteristics, strain identification, metabolite production and adhesion to fish cell lines. Our study demonstrated that 14% of screened bacteria (n=188) had antagonistic properties towards fish pathogens. The majority of these isolates were Gram-positive (81%), belonging to Firmicutes (69.2%) and Actinobacteria (11.5%) phyla based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Only 6 (3.2%) of 188 isolates could inhibit all three pathogens tested: Vibrio anguillarum, Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. achromogenes and Vibrio salmonicida. Differences observed in activity intensity and spectrum among inhibitory isolates emphasise the need to develop probiotic mixtures for efficient prophylactic methods. Comparison of growth behaviour of inhibitory isolates and pathogens at cod rearing temperatures, metabolite production and adhesion capacity were considered for final probiont selection. Four promising isolates that could be used as a mixed supplement to rearing water were identified as putative probiotic bacteria. This study emphasises the importance and potential of lactic acid bacteria in aquaculture.     

弧菌颉颃菌的筛选及其在对虾养殖中的初步应用

试验从养殖环境中分离到22株细菌,以副溶血弧菌为病原指示菌,点种法筛选到1株弧菌颉颃菌A4;通过生理生化试验和16S rRNA序列分析,鉴定该菌为枯草芽孢杆菌。抑菌性能试验结果显示,分离菌株对副溶血弧菌、溶藻弧菌及灿烂弧菌均具有较好的颉颃作用。在对虾养殖试验中发现,使用枯草芽孢杆菌制剂2 d后可显著减少水体中的弧菌数量（P＜0.05）,改善对虾生长状态。该菌株可作为益生菌开发成微生态制剂,用于对虾养殖中弧菌病的预防。     

几种商用益生芽孢杆菌特性的比较研究

为比较几种商用益生芽孢的菌株特性，为芽孢杆菌的选育提供理论基础，本试验收集整理了15种药用（Y1~Y6）和饲用益生芽孢杆菌（S7~S15）产品，对其芽孢杆菌进行分离鉴定，分别从产淀粉酶、纤维素酶和蛋白酶等酶活特性，抗菌活性，耐酸和耐0.3%胆盐稳定性，抗生素敏感性，耗氧及生长速率测试等方面对芽孢杆菌特性进行了比较研究。结果显示，分离的15株芽孢杆菌均能产蛋白酶、纤维素酶、淀粉酶，但不同菌株产酶能力差异较大，S9菌株表现出较高的产蛋白酶、纤维素酶、淀粉酶活力；所有分离的芽孢杆菌均能对金黄色葡萄球菌及藤黄微球菌产生显著抑制活性，但只有7株芽孢杆菌（Y2、Y6、S7、S9、S10、S11、S12）可对大肠杆菌产生抑制作用，尤其是S9菌株综合抗菌能力最强。S9、Y2和S8的营养体细胞具有较高的耐酸能力，S9、Y2菌株在0.3%胆盐环境中存活率超过90%。15株芽孢杆菌中有3株饲用来源菌株（S10、S12、S13）表现出对红霉素的耐受，S10菌株对四环素耐受。此外，S9菌株具有较快的耗氧速率和生长速率。上述结果表明，S9菌株（解淀粉芽孢杆菌）的益生特性更为优良，本试验结果可为芽孢杆菌益生菌的选育及活性评价提供参考依据。     

Survival and retention of the probiotic properties of Bacillus sp. strains under marine stress starvation conditions and their potential use as a probiotic in Artemia culture

The probiotic properties of Bacillus strains isolated from Artemia culture and the effect of marine stress on viability and survival were investigated, as well as the changes occurring in their properties. Analyses showed that these bacteria corresponded to the genus Bacillus sp. Antagonism and adherence assays revealed that Bacillus strains have an inhibitory effect against tested pathogenic bacteria and are fairly adherent. Normal and starved cells showed different enzymatic profiles. Challenge tests performed with Artemia larvae provided evidence that the tested Bacillus strains were neither pathogenic nor toxic to the host and conferred protection for Artemia culture against pathogens. The tested strains maintained their viability and their probiotic properties during the period of study. The results suggest that the tested strains have suffered changes allowing them to survive in seawater in the absence of nutrients and outside their natural host, identifying them as potential probiotic candidates for Artemia culture.     

微生态制剂在鲟鱼工厂化养殖中的应用

循环水工厂化养殖过程中由于饲养的高密度和丰富的饵料投入会产生大量代谢污染物,随之也带来了养殖排放废水对环境的污染,长期以来存在氨氮、亚硝酸盐总量不断积累的问题,影响鲟鱼品质和产量。微生态制剂是从天然环境中筛选出来的微生物,具有促生长、无毒副作用,能消除养殖水体中的氨氮、亚硝酸盐、硫化氢等有害污染物,维持养殖系统中微生物的生态平衡,改善水质及水体环境。利用微生态制剂对养殖水体进行调控,对养殖鲟鱼实行全程质量控制管理,生产出无公害、无污染的优质鲟鱼产品。     

多菌种混合发酵棉籽饼粕制备益生菌生物活性饲料

以棉籽饼粕、麸皮、苹果渣为原料,经霉菌XH001、霉菌XH002、地衣芽孢杆菌E01、枯草芽孢杆菌E02、乳酸菌SR01、酿酒酵母和饲料酵母混合发酵生产益生菌饲料。最佳工艺条件为:发酵温度32℃,原料含水量50%,芽孢杆菌接入时间为发酵后12 h,乳酸菌接种量10%,发酵时间48 h。发酵后饲料粗蛋白含量由原来的27.58%提高到37.92%,氨基酸态氮含量达到1.88%,乳酸菌活菌数达2.3亿cfu/g(干基),芽孢杆菌达18.4亿cfu/g(干基)。     

预防犊牛腹泻复合微生态制剂3株菌种的配比优化

试验旨在研究预防犊牛腹泻复合微生态制剂3株菌种的配比优化。通过研究嗜酸乳杆菌、布氏酵母菌、枯草芽孢杆菌不同浓度人工胃液、人工肠液、牛胆盐的耐受性及其对大肠杆菌、沙门氏菌、金黄色葡萄球菌的抑菌性,确定其生物学特性;以大肠杆菌K99为指示菌,研究3种益生菌不同配比对大肠杆菌K99的抑菌效果,以确定其最佳组合。结果表明:(1)3种益生菌在不同pH人工胃培养条件下都具有较好的耐受性,其中嗜酸乳杆菌、芽孢杆菌在pH为5时,存活率达到了118.75%、142.24%,布氏酵母菌对不同pH均表现成活率达到了100%以上。(2)3种益生菌在人工胃液中9 h存活率较高,与0 h的OD600相比,布氏酵母菌、枯草芽孢杆菌、嗜酸乳杆菌存活率分别为108.7%、129.73%、96.37%。(3)在含有不同浓度的牛胆盐培养基中,布氏酵母菌、嗜酸乳杆菌、枯草芽孢杆菌存活率较对照组的存活率最高为60.49%、85.1%、47.42%。(4)3株益生菌按照不同配比在培养12 h后,试验组第2、4、8组较对照组相比差异显著(P<0.05);培养24 h后,试验组第3、4、5、6较对照组差异显著(P<0.05),组间差异不显著(P>0.05);第8个处理组在培养12 h后对大肠杆菌K99的抑菌效果较好。综合分析,3株益生菌对人工胃液、人工肠液、牛胆盐具有较好的耐受性,并具对大肠杆菌K99、沙门氏菌、金黄色葡萄球菌等致病菌均有一定的抑菌特性。嗜酸乳杆菌、枯草芽孢杆菌、布氏酵母菌最佳的优化配比为3:3:1。     

复合活菌制剂降解虾塘中亚硝酸盐的研究与应用

本试验以真菌和反硝化细菌为基础菌种按一定比例制得复合活菌制剂,对虾塘养殖水中的亚硝酸盐进行降解或处理。结果表明,活菌制剂净化亚硝酸盐污染的虾塘养殖水效果好于单个反硝化细菌、某复合活菌制剂和硝氮综合剂,复合活菌制剂各菌种在虾塘养殖水中分解亚硝酸盐的作用上各有特点,可为形成共生长效的虾塘养殖水环境修复微生物种群提供基础。     

Excess dietary cholesterol may have an adverse effect on growth performance of early post-larval Litopenaeus vannamei

One experiment was conducted to determine the nutritive value of cholesterol for post-larval shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Four isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets supplemented with four levels of cholesterol (D1, D2, D3 and D4 with 0, 0.5%, 1% and 2% cholesterol, respectively) were fed to triplicate groups of L. vannamei shrimp (mean initial wet weight 0.8 mg) for 27 days. After the trial, shrimp fed the D1 diet had the best growth performance (final body weights: FBW; weight gain: WG; specific growth rate: SGR), while there was no significant difference between diet treatments with respect to survival. The whole body crude protein level in the shrimp decreased with the increase in dietary cholesterol levels, while the whole body crude lipid level in shrimps in the D4 diet treatment was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in other diet treatments. Dietary analysis indicated that the D1 diet contained 0.92% cholesterol prior to supplementation, which may have satisfied the dietary cholesterol requirement of post-larval L. vannamei; excess dietary cholesterol may thus lead to adverse effects on the growth performance of post-larval shrimp.     

Dietary effects of commercial probiotics on growth performance,digestibility, and intestinal morphometry of broiler chickens

This study compared five commercially available probiotics vis-à-vis antibiotic growth promotant (AGP) supplementation and absence of feed additive based on efficiency, intestinal morphometry, and energy digestibility in improving broiler chicken production. A total of 630 straight run (Cobb) day-old broiler chicks were distributed to seven treatments following a completely randomized design, with ten replicates per treatment and nine birds per replicate per cage. Dietary treatments consisted of basal diet in combination with the following: without probiotics and AGP supplementation (treatment 1); 75 ppm each of chlorotetracycline (CTC) and Zn bacitracin (treatment 2); probiotic A, Bacillus subtilis (treatment 3); probiotic B, Bacillus subtilis (treatment 4); probiotic C, Enterococcus faecium (treatment 5); and probiotic D, Bacillus subtilis (treatment 6); probiotic E, Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium spp., Pediococcus spp., and Lactobacillus spp. (treatment 7). At day 42, energy digestibility was determined by fasting three randomly selected birds from each treatment for 12 h and then subjecting them to their corresponding dietary treatments. Excreta were collected and pooled after 24 h of feeding. Pooled excreta were weighed, oven-dried, and subjected to energy analyses after 3-day collection. Apparent total tract metabolizable energy was then computed. At day 47, three birds were randomly selected per treatment for intestinal morphometry (villi height and crypt depth) of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Dietary supplementation using probiotics showed no significant effect on overall body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, dressing percentage, mortality, harvest recovery, carcass quality parameters (e.g., meat to bone ratio and abdominal fat content), intestinal morphometry, and energy digestibility. Birds under treatment 7 (basal feed + probiotic E) generated the highest income over feed and chick cost.

     

饲料或养殖水体中添加地衣芽孢杆菌对凡纳滨对虾生长性能和免疫力的影响

本试验通过2个子试验来研究饲料或养殖水体中添加地衣芽孢杆菌对凡纳滨对虾生长性能和免疫力的影响。2个子试验所用凡纳滨对虾的初始均重均为1.06 g左右。在试验1中,5组对虾分别饲喂在基础饲料中添加0(D1组,作为空白对照组)、0.3(D2组)、3.0(D3组)、30.0 mg/kg地衣芽孢杆菌(D4组)和80.0 mg/kg益生菌A(为市售复合益生菌制剂;D5组,作为阳性对照组)的5种试验饲料;在试验2中,4组对虾全部投喂试验1中D1组饲料,并在试验开始前向1 m×1 m×1 m水泥池(有效水深0.7 m)的水体中分别投入0(d1组,即D1组)、0.4(d2组)、4.0 mg地衣芽孢杆菌(d3组)和40.0 mg益生菌B(为市售复合益生菌净水剂;d4组,作为阳性对照组),此后每隔7 d再分别补充0、0.2、2.0 mg地衣芽孢杆菌和20.0 mg益生菌B。每组均设6个水泥池,每个水泥池放养80尾对虾。试验1和试验2饲养时间均为8周。试验1结果表明:D1~D4组对虾的终末均重显著高于D5组(P0.05),但D1~D4组之间没有显著差异(P0.05);D2组对虾的增重率和特定生长率显著高于D5组(P0.05)但与D1、D3和D4组没有显著差异(P0.05);D2、D3、D4组对虾的饲料系数显著低于D1组(P0.05),但与D5组没有显著差异(P0.05);D4组对虾的成活率显著高于其他各组(P0.05)。对虾肝胰腺超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性在D2和D5组较高,且显著高于其他各组(P0.05);对虾肝胰腺总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)在D4组最高,且显著高于其他各组(P0.05);对虾肝胰腺丙二醛(MDA)含量随着饲料中地衣芽孢杆菌添加量的增加而降低,以D4组对虾肝胰腺MDA含量最低,且显著低于D1、D2、D3组(P0.05),但与D5组没有显著差异(P0.05)。试验2结果表明:养殖水体中补充地衣芽孢杆菌对对虾的终末均重、增重率、特定生长率和饲料系数均没有产生显著影响(P0.05);d3组对虾肝胰腺碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、SOD活性和T-AOC最高,且显著高于其他各组(P0.05);d2组对虾肝胰腺溶菌酶(LZM)活性最高,且显著高于其他各组(P0.05);d1组对虾肝胰腺MDA含量最高,且显著高于其他各组(P0.05)。上述结果表明,地衣芽孢杆菌无论是添加在饲料中还是泼洒在养殖水体中都能提高凡纳滨对虾的免疫力;综合考虑凡纳滨对虾的生长性能和免疫力,地衣芽孢杆菌在饲料或养殖水体中的添加效果优于益生菌A或益生菌B;综合试验1和试验2的结果,地衣芽孢杆菌在凡纳滨对虾饲料中的添加量应控制在0.3~3.0 mg/kg。     

Dietary administration of probiotics to sows and/or their neonates improves the reproductive performance,incidence of post‐weaning diarrhea and histopathological parameters in the intestine of weaned piglets

Probiotics have gained considerable attention with respect to their beneficial effects on livestock performance and health. The most significant effects of probiotics on the gut microbiota and the host animals take place when they are included in diets during particularly stressful periods such as weaning and/or at the beginning of the lactation period. The probiotics Bacillus mesentericus strain TO‐A at 1 × 10⁸ colony forming units (CFU)/g, Clostridium butyricum strain TO‐A at 1 × 10⁸ CFU/g and Enterococcus faecalis strain T‐110 at 1 × 10⁹ CFU/g were used. Litter weight at delivery and ratio of return to estrous improved significantly (17% and 24% improvement, respectively) by probiotic administration to sows (0.2% (w/w)). Furthermore, the feed intake of the probiotics‐administered sows was greater than that of the control sows during the late lactation period. Post‐weaning diarrheal incidence and growth performance was improved by probiotics administration to neonates (0.02% (w/w)), while the combined use of probiotics in sows and their neonates induced the enlargement of villous height and prevented muscle layer thinning in the small intestine of weaning piglets. The administration of probiotics of three species of live bacteria improved the porcine reproductive performance around stressful periods of sows (farrowing) and piglets (weaning). [Corrections added on 26 April 2016, after first online publication: ‘Enterococcus faecalis strain T‐100’ has been corrected to ‘Enterococcus faecalis strain T‐110’ in the above paragraph and in the ‘Probiotics’ section under the Materials and Methods heading.]     

Health-beneficial effects of probiotics: Its mode of action

It is now widely recognized that probiotics have health-beneficial effects on humans and animals. Probiotics should survive in the intestinal tract to exert beneficial effects on the host's health. To keep a sufficient level of probiotic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, a shorter interval between doses may be required. Although adherence to the intestinal epithelial cell and mucus is not a universal property of probiotics, high ability to adhere to the intestinal surface might strongly interfere with infection of pathogenic bacteria and regulate the immune system. The administration of probiotic Lactobacillus stimulated indigenous Lactobacilli and the production of short-chain fatty acids. This alteration of the intestinal environment should contribute to maintain the host's health. The immunomodulatory effects of probiotics are related to important parts of their beneficial effects. Probiotics may modulate the intestinal immune response through the stimulation of certain cytokine and IgA secretion in intestinal mucosa. The health-beneficial effects, in particular the immunomodulation effect, of probiotics depend on the strain used. Differences in indigenous intestinal microflora significantly alter the magnitude of the effects of a probiotic. Specific probiotic strains suitable for each animal species and their life stage as well as each individual should be found.     

不同类型芽孢杆菌制剂对肉鸡生长性能和排泄物氨逸失的影响

本试验旨在研究不同类型芽孢杆菌制剂对肉鸡生长性能和排泄物氨逸失的影响,并探讨其可能的作用机理。将840只1日龄岭南黄肉用公鸡按试验要求随机分为4组,每组3个重复,每个重复70只鸡。对照组在基础饲粮中添加维吉尼亚霉素和洛克沙胂,试验组分别在基础饲粮中添加丁酸梭菌(丁酸梭菌组,CBG)、地衣芽孢杆菌(地衣芽孢杆菌组,BLG)和枯草芽孢杆菌制剂(枯草芽孢杆菌组,BSG)。试验期为50 d,分1～21日龄和22～50日龄2个阶段。结果表明:1)地衣芽孢杆菌制剂和枯草芽孢杆菌制剂能显著提高1～21日龄肉鸡平均日采食量和平均日增重(P<0.05),却有增加料重比的趋势(P>0.05);试验组肉鸡1～50日龄和22～50日龄的各生长性能指标与对照组均无显著差异(P>0.05),但在试验组中以CBG效果最优。2)试验组盲肠大肠菌群数、需氧菌总数、厌氧菌总数、pH与对照组均无显著差异(P>0.05),但丁酸梭菌制剂能显著提高21日龄和50日龄时的乳酸杆菌数(P<0.05);盲肠内容物和粪便中pH均以CBG最低。3)与对照组相比,试验组血清黄嘌呤氧化酶活性和尿酸含量不同程度地提高,血清尿素氮含量不同程度地降低;盲肠和粪便中尿酸含量也不同程度地降低,而粪便尿素氮含量不同程度地升高;50日龄时BLG和BSG粪便中氨态氮含量显著升高(P<0.05),CBG与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05)。4)各组肉鸡12、19和26日龄排泄物氨逸失差异不显著(P>0.05),33、40和47日龄以BSG排泄物氨逸失最高,CBG较对照组有降低排泄物氨逸失的趋势(P>0.05)。结果提示,芽孢杆菌制剂能调节肠道菌群,影响体内氮代谢,并降低盲肠与粪便pH,在本试验条件下以丁酸梭菌制剂效果最优,能在一定程度上降低排泄物氨的逸失。     

The effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp. administration on the morphology of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas in piglets

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of administration of probiotic bacteria on morphology of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas. The experiment was performed on 15 piglets at the age from 3 to 35 days, intragastrically administered with Bifidobacterium breve, B. animalis, and Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria. In all piglets examined, the development of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas was observed to progress normally. After microflora administration to the piglets, an increase in the number of fibrocytes and fibroblasts was observed in the mucosa lamina propria of stomach and intestines. An increase was also reported in the number and activation of endocrine cells in the stomach and small intestines. The activity of alkaline and acid phosphatases, as well as succinic (SDH) and lactic (LDH) dehydrogenases, was found to be higher after the administration of probiotics. The administration of bacteria, especially of Lactobacillus acidophilus, caused an increase in the number of lymphocytes and lymphoid cells in lamina propria and intraepithelial lymphocytes in the small intestine. Enhanced proliferation of crypt cells was observed in the crypts of intestinal glands; however, there were no statistically significant differences in the PCNA index between the control and probiotic-administered groups. The performed study showed that the administration of probiotic bacteria has no negative impact on the morphology of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas and is found beneficial to its functioning and immune processes.     

Effects of two probiotic additives containing Bacillus spores on carcass characteristics, blood lipids and cecal volatile fatty acids in meat type chickens

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of two commercially available probiotic additives, containing Bacillus spores, on carcass and meat characteristics, serum lipids and concentration of cecal volatile fatty acids of meat type chickens. Birds were fed regular corn-soy meal based feed (control), supplemented with additive A, containing 1.6 × 10(6) spores per gram of feed of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis (group A) or additive B, containing the same concentration of Bacillus cereus var. toyoi spores (group B). One hundred and twenty birds (20 per replicate) were slaughtered at the age of 55 days. Results showed that birds in group B had higher (p < 0.05) final body weight compared to birds from group A and higher carcass weights and yield percentages compared with control. Breasts and whole legs were also heavier in group B, compared to control, but not the yield. Group A had higher yield of wings and lower abdominal fat weight compared to group B (p< 0.05), but not compared with control. Total cholesterol was not affected by the dietary treatment, on contrary both probiotics elevated the LDL (p < 0.05) and lowered HDL cholesterol, thus unfavourably changed animal's blood serum cholesterol profile. Both probiotics influenced the cecal fermentation, which was observed as decrease in cecal concentrations of propionic, butyric, n-butyric and n-valeric acids, but the differences compared to control group were statistically significant for group A only. It was established that probiotic additive B was more effective regarding carcass and meat part weights than additive A, however the animals from group B also had more abdominal fat and their meat had significantly higher conductivity than control group, which is not considered as beneficial.     

益生芽孢杆菌脂肽类抑菌成分的高效液相色谱-电喷雾串联质谱分析

本文旨在探明一株具有益生潜质的枯草芽孢杆菌N2-10对肠道菌的抗菌作用及其活性成分,为深入评价该菌株的益生功能和益生机理奠定基础。以常见的肠道致病菌和有益菌为指示菌,采用抑菌圈法对该菌株发酵液成分的抑菌活性进行测定,并通过高效液相色谱-电喷雾串联质谱(HPLC-ESI-MS/MS)对其中的活性成分进行分析。结果表明:枯草芽孢杆菌N2-10发酵液的氯仿和正丁醇提取液对供试菌无明显的抑制作用;脂肽类对大肠杆菌、痢疾杆菌和沙门氏菌等肠道致病菌表现出明显的抑菌作用,而对肠道有益菌保加利亚乳杆菌抑制作用很弱,对嗜热链球菌则无抑制作用。脂肽粗提物的HPLC-ESI-MS/MS分析结果显示,脂肽粗提物中的脂肽类抗生素为伊枯草素家族中的C14~C17抗霉枯草菌素(Mycosubtilin)的同系物。因此推断,枯草芽孢杆菌N_2-10对肠道致病菌产生抑制作用依赖于其产生的脂肽抗生素Mycosubtilin。     

一株肠源枯草芽孢杆菌的生长、抗逆和产酶特性分析

本试验分析了一株肠源枯草芽孢杆菌生长特性,耐酸、胆盐、高温和重金属性能以及产蛋白酶、淀粉酶的能力。结果表明:菌株最大生长浓度出现在22 h左右。菌株在pH 3.0营养肉汤培养基中培养3 h,存活率为58.6%,培养时间延长至6 h,存活率仍能达到47.5%。在胆盐浓度为0.3%,培养4 h后枯草芽孢杆菌存活率为65.5%,8 h后的存活率仍能达到40.4%。在90℃下,处理10 min成活率为61.8%,处理20 min后仍能达到33.3%。当Cu离子和Zn离子浓度为500 mg/L时,菌株生长量相当于对照的107.6%和86.7%。菌株培养48 h后上清液的淀粉酶活性为1.89 U,蛋白酶活性达到655.2 U。结果表明,本枯草芽孢杆菌具备较好的生长与抗逆特性和较高的酶活力,具备作为益生菌的潜在特质。     

Assessment of dietary supplementation with probiotics on performance, intestinal morphology and microflora of chickens infected with Eimeria tenella

We evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with different preparations of probiotics on the performance of broiler chickens experimentally infected with 2 × 10(4) sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella at 14 days of age. Three hundred, day-old, Cobb-500 chicks, as hatched, were separated into 10 equal groups with three replicates. Two of the groups, one challenged with E. tenella oocysts and the other not, were given a basal diet and served as controls without medication. The other challenged groups were given the anticoccidial lasalocid (60 mg/kg) or Enterococcus faecium (5 × 10(8) or 5 × 10(9)cfu/kg feed), Bifidobacterium animalis (5 × 10(8)cfu/kg feed), Lactobacillus reuteri (5 × 10(8)cfu/kg feed), Bacillus subtilis (5 × 10(8)cfu/kg feed), or a multi-species probiotic mix at 5 × 10(8) or 5 × 10(9)cfu/kg feed, respectively. The trial lasted 6 weeks. Individual body weight, feed intake per pen and feed conversion ratio values were recorded weekly, along with the extent of bloody diarrhea, excreta oocyst numbers and bird mortality. Caecal lesions were assessed and intestinal samples were taken for histopathological and bacteriological evaluation from ileum and caecum. Overall growth performance of chickens fed the multi-species probiotic mix at both levels was higher (P<0.05) compared to the infected control. Overall oocyst shedding was lowest (P<0.05) in the lasalocid supplemented group. Villous height was higher (P<0.05) in Bacillus supplemented groups compared to infected controls. The Lactobacillus supplemented group had the highest (P<0.05) numbers of both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in ileum and caecum. In conclusion, dietary probiotics are promising for further investigation on improving intestinal health and growth performance of broiler chickens experimentally challenged with E. tenella.     

益生菌兼或益生元对牛肠道菌群调节作用研究进展

益生菌/益生元具有调节胃肠(GI)菌群平衡及活动的能力,能够显著地影响家畜肠道内菌群的结构和活动,使有益菌(主要是乳酸菌)占有生态位,成为优势菌群,抑制霉菌生长和霉菌毒素的产生。饲喂益生菌后,牛肠道中的菌群呈现多样性,群落的复杂程度增高,牛肠道菌群的微生态稳定性增强。低聚麦芽糖、低聚半乳糖等益生元则能不同程度的被有益菌分解利用,作为有益菌的生长促进剂,发挥其益生作用。目前,益生菌/益生元已被广泛应用于食品、医药保健和饲料等各个领域。随着对其深入的了解和成熟的市场或产业化发展,益生菌/益生元的应用前景很好。