BACKGROUND: Intensive aquaculture and commercialization production are believed to be needed for improving fish health status and probiotics are candidates to achieve this goal. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we utilized Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus pentosus as autochthonous food supplementation for biochemical investigation in rainbow trout. METHODS: In the current study, 240 juvenile rainbow trout with an average weight of 15 ± 2 g were randomly divided into four groups with three replications. Group 1, 2, and 3 were fed with 108 CFU/g of L. plantarum, L. pentosus, and the combination of these two probiotics, respectively. The control group was fed with the normal diet, for 60 days (2 % of body weight, 3times per day). Samples were taken at days 0 and 60 and biochemical parameters and hepatic enzymes activity were then investigated. RESULTS: Most biochemical factors had positive changes in the fish fed with probiotics, particularly in L. plantarum group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the results exhibited a significant decrease in ALP level in the probiotic groups, particularly in L. pentosus group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, AST enzyme activity in plantarum+pentosus group was higher than that in the other groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicated the effectiveness of food supplementation with probiotics in fish diet with the preference of probiotic to improve the biochemical factors and hepatic enzymes activity of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.

BACKGROUND: Due to the incomplete microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract in infant animals, the occurrence of any kind of stress causes gastrointestinal microbial imbalance and gastrointestinal disorders in the animal. The use of probiotics in diets of experimental animals improves the production of volatile fatty acids in rumen as the main stimulants of ruminal papillae. In this case the beneficial microbial population promotes in the rumen and its products improve the health and animal performance. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of Protexin™ probiotics in milk replacer on digestive tract development and ruminal parameters of suckling Zel lambs. METHODS: To conduct this experiment, 24 male lambs were used at 10 days of age with mean weight (4.2 ± 0.53 kg) in 4 treatments and 6 replicates per each treatment as individual pens for 60 days. Treatments include control (without probiotic) and 3, 6 and 9 g (×109 cfu/g) of probiotic in milk replacer. In day 60 of experiments, pH values were measured by a portable digital device and ammonia nitrogen and number of protozoa in rumen fluid were measured in laboratory. Ruminal morphological results were studied after animal was slaughtered. RESULTS: The results of ruminal parameters showed that adding 9 g probiotic resulted in a significant increase in ammonia nitrogen and number of ruminal fluid protozoa compared to other levels (P<0.05). There were not significant differences in pH and VFA of ruminal fluid indicated no significant difference among treatments. In rumen morphology results, there was a significant difference between treatments in weight of empty whole digestive tract, rumen, omasum and abomasums weight and the volume of reticulum and abomasum (P<0.05) and this difference was significant between treatment of 9 g probiotic and other treatments. Also, the effect of experimental treatments was significant on length and width of the rumen papillae (P<0.05), so that level of 9 g probiotic was higher than other levels. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the addition of probiotic in milk replacer of experimental lambs significantly increased ruminal VFA and developed the ruminal morphological traits, so that in these traits, amount of 9 g probiotic had better performance than the other levels.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of probiotic supplementation in mitigating stress and improving performance, carcass yield, carcass quality parameters, sensory acceptability, microbiological quality and economic profitability of broilers reared at different stocking densities. Two hundred and forty chicks were divided into four groups; two groups were reared at a low stocking density (LSD, 10 bird/m2), including one group that was provided with Protexin® probiotic (Enterococcus faecium) supplemented in water (LSDP). Similarly, the other two groups were reared at a high stocking density (HSD, 15 bird/m2), including one group that was provided with the same probiotic supplementation (HSDP). Throughout the growing cycle, bird performance was monitored. At the end of the growing cycle, stress indicators were measured in blood. Besides, carcass and giblet weights, dressing yield, carcass quality parameters, sensory acceptability, microbiological quality and economic profitability were assessed. As a result, HSD mostly impaired broiler performance, increased stress indicators, reduced carcass yields, carcass quality parameters and sensory acceptability, while boosted profitability and slightly lowered microbiological quality. On the other hand, probiotic supplementation reversed the negative effects of HSD. As probiotic supplementation boosted broiler performance, reduced blood stress indicators, increased carcass and giblet yields, carcass quality parameters and sensory scores, besides, it improved the microbiological status of broiler meat in terms of fecal coliforms and E. coli MPN. To conclude, rearing broilers at high stocking density induced stress, compromised performance and reduced carcass quality. These negative impacts could be successfully faced by using probiotic supplementation in drinking water.

The broiler chicken digestive tract microbiome maintains the bird’s immunity. Its composition has been shown to be important not only for the immune system but also for the gastrointestinal function and productivity of broiler chickens. If the microbiome is populated by supplementation with Lactobacillus, Pediococcus and Saccharomyces spp. – microorganisms with probiotic properties and alternatives to antibiotics – the immune system is stimulated. The use of probiotic supplements in the broiler production cycle can boost bird immunity and prevent adenovirus infection. The resilience of broiler chickens in different feeding schemes including supplementation with these microorganisms was assessed.

Due to increasing bacterial antibiotic resistance and the consumers’ tendency to choose organic products, cattle farmers are interested in alternative methods of calf diarrhoea treatment. This is a major challenge for veterinarians. Few methods of non-antibiotic treatment that bring satisfactory results have been reported in the related literature so far. In this article, the authors compare different non-antibiotic methods of diarrhoea prevention and treatment in calves. Among the alternatives discussed are herbs, probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics, lactoferrin, and bacteriophages. It was found that the best results could be achieved through the use of pro-, pre- and synbiotics. However, the authors would like to point out that with the expansion of knowledge about the practical use of broad-scale bacteriophages, they could be the best alternative to antibiotics.

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of supplementation of sows’ and growing pigs’ diets with three newly developed synbiotic and two extant commercial probiotic products on selected immune parameters under field conditions. The study was performed on 30 sows and 48 piglets of the Danbred breed. Immune parameters such as concentration and proportion of white blood cells and their subpopulations, immunoglobulins amount in serum, and serum concentration of cytokines and acute phase proteins were recorded with the use of a haematology analyser and ELISA kits. No significant differences between treatment groups and controls were found with regard to the immune parameters evaluated except for serum immunoglobulin concentration, which was significantly increased by synbiotic products B and C and probiotic product D. The results of the study indicate that the synbiotic products B and C and probiotic product D are worthy of further investigation as promising candidates to improve the immune status of healthy sows and their offspring.

Introduction: Immune-potentiating functions of Lactobacillus plantarum strains in the common carp were evaluated. Material and Methods: Fourteen days of feeding fish dry diet supplemented with the bacteria provided parameters of nonspecific humoral immunity (lysozyme, ceruloplasmin, γ-globulin, total protein levels, and serum bactericidal activity) and cellular immunity (pinocytosis, respiratory burst activity, and potential killing activity of organ phagocytes), as well as the proliferative response of organ lymphocytes stimulated with mitogens. The resistance of fish to infection with Aeromonas hydrophila was also determined. Results: Dietary supplementation with L. plantarum had a substantial influence on the activity of organ phagocytes, especially the potential killing activity of head kidney cells. A significant increase in the proliferative activity of LPS-stimulated B lymphocytes and in the levels of γ-globulins and total protein was observed. The supplemented diet conveyed higher resistance than the control diet as the cumulative fish mortalities after infection with A. hydrophila were 65% and 85%, respectively. Conclusion: The results indicate that dietary supplementation with L. plantarum stimulates the antibacterial resistance of common carp and may reinforce defence against bacterial infections, but further studies need to be conducted.

Objectives: The research was carried out on broilers to determine the efficacy of probiotics (Bacillus subtilis and Saccharomyces boulardii combined) supplementation on growth performances, nutrient retention (metabolizable energy, dry matter, and crude protein), and cecal microbiology (Bifidobacteria spp., Clostridium spp., and coliforms). Materials and Methods: A total of 160 broiler chicks (day-old) were selected and differentiated randomly into 4 groups (T0, T1, T2, and T3) (40 × 4) comprising 40 birds in every single group. The control group (T0) was fed commercial broiler feed only and the other three groups, referred to as treatment groups (T1, T2, and T3), were treated with 1 gm ciprofloxacin, 1 gm probiotic, and 1 gm probiotic plus 0.5 gm enzyme, respectively, in per liter of fresh dietary water 8 h daily for 7 days in each phase. Experimental trials were divided into 2 phases, the starter phase from day 0 to 21 and the finisher phase from day 22 to 35. Results: Bodyweight gain and nutrient retention in experimental broiler birds in treatment groups were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the control group. Overall body weight gain and nutrient retention of broiler chicks in treatment groups T2 and T3 were better than T1. From day 22 to 35, cecal Clostridium and coliform bacterial load counts were significantly lower p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively, in T1, T2, and T3 treatments than T0. Overall, Clostridium and coliform bacterial counts in the birds of treatment group T2 were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than T0. Conclusion: The probiotics, in addition to enzyme supplementation, had suitable influence effects on growth performance of broilers, birds retention of nutrient, and microfloral count in birds cecum. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(4.000): 534-539]

Objective: This experiment investigated the effects of synbiotic supplementation produced from probiotics and prebiotics from trimmed asparagus by-products (TABP) on broiler chicken diets in order to yield designer meat production. Materials and Methods: A total of 320 one-day-old Ross 308® chicks were randomly allocated to dietary treatments with four replications each (n = 20). The dietary treatments were composed of a control group without supplementation and treatment groups fed with 10, 30, and 50 gm/kg of TABP supplementation in diets combined with 2 gm/kg probiotics. Results: The results showed that broilers fed dietary supplementation of TABP with 2 gm/kg had a lower level of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum, which reduced the atherogenic indices of the serum, such as cardiac risk ratio and atherogenic coef¬ficient (p < 0.05). In addition, the cholesterol content and the fatty acid profile of breast meat, including palmitic acid, oleic acid, saturated fatty acid, and omega 9 levels, also declined with the increasing levels of TABP inclusion (p < 0.05). Moreover, the supplementation of TABP in diets caused a decline in the atherogenic and thrombogenicity indices and a rise in Δ-9 desaturase (16) index and hypocholesterolemic to the hypercholesterolemic ratio of meat (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Synbiotic supplementation of up to 30 gm/kg TABP combined with 2 gm/kg probiotics in the chicken diet can potentially be utilized for the production of designer meat. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 516-526]

Objective: The present work was conducted on Cobb-500 broilers fed with either probiotics (Yogurt, Promax&reg;) or antibiotic growth promoters (Ciproflox&reg;, Renamycin&reg;) to assess the effects on body weight and biochemical parameters.Materials and methods: A total of 30 day-old broiler chicks were purchased and acclimatized for 7 days in the experimental shed. After initial acclimatization, the broilers were allotted into five equal groups (n=6). Group A was considered as control and was fed commercial ration and fresh drinking water. Groups B and C were fed commercial ration and probiotics (Yogurt, Promax&reg;) respectively mixed in water. Groups D and E received commercial ration and antibiotic growth promoters (Ciproflox&reg;, Renamycin&reg;) respectively with water. Body weight of each bird was recorded on day 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. At the end of trial period, the birds were sacrificed to collect blood in order to prepare serum samples for biochemical analyses considering total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipids (HDL), creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).Results: Body weight in all treatment groups (B, C, D and E) was significantly (P<0.05) higher as compared to control (A) group. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels significantly (P<0.05) decreased in probiotics treated groups as compared to control and antibiotic growth promoters treated groups. AST and ALT values increased significantly (P<0.05) in antibiotic growth promoters treated groups as compared to control whereas, these values decreased in probiotics treated groups. Creatinine levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in antibiotic growth promoters treated groups as compared to all others groups. Conclusion: Significantly increased body weight is observed in probiotics and antibiotic growth promoters supplemented broilers. Probiotics also improve the lipid profile and other biochemical parameters as compared to growth promoter. Probiotics (like Yogurt and Promax&reg;) seem to be better choice than antibiotic growth promoters as feed supplements. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(3.000): 288-294]