epiglucan and Poultry-Diseases

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of β-glucans and MOS, essential oil (mixture of carvacrol and thymol), and the probiotic based on Saccharomyces boulardi, as an alternative to anticoccidial agents. In this experiment, six hundred seventy-two 1-day-old male broiler chicks were housed in batteries for 28 d. The experimental design of 4 randomized blocks with 24 cages each, and 7 birds per cage, consisted of an initial phase from 1 to 14 d of age, and a growth phase, from 15 to 28 d of age. The rations were formulated based on corn and soybean meal as energy and protein ingredients, respectively. All birds were inoculated with Eimeria spp and C. Perfringes at 14 d of age, and with C. Perfringes only at 21 d of age. The results showed the best weight gain in the initial phase when the anticoccidial agent was applied, whereas the use of additives in growth and entire experimental phases showed superior results in all treatments for this parameter. The birds that did not receive additives in the rations had the worst feed conversion in both phases and along raising. The results showed no significant differences between the treatments for the scores of lesions in the digestive tract and counts in the cecum, however, the red lesions increased numerically in the duodenum and jejunum of birds fed diets without the inclusion of additives. The use of additives indicated effectiveness for the parameters of performance in broilers challenged with C. Perfringes and Eimeria spp. at 14 d of age, and with C. Perfringes at 21 d of age.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; beta-Glucans; Chickens; Clostridium Infections; Clostridium perfringens; Coccidiosis; Diet; Eimeria; Male; Oils, Volatile; Poultry Diseases; Probiotics

This study determined the effect of a dried algae product containing beta-1,3-glucan on broiler performance and immunity during an Eimeria challenge. Heterotrophically grown Euglena gracilis, which contained ∼55% beta-1,3-glucan, was dried and milled for inclusion into a non-medicated starter diet. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate dietary treatments containing 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 g/ton dried algae. In both experiments, male broilers were orally challenged on day 14 with a coccidial inoculum consisting of E. acervulina, E. maxima, and E. tenella. Fecal matter was collected 120-144 hours post-exposure to determine relative amounts of oocyte shedding and birds were sacrificed on day 20 for lesion scoring. Broiler performance was assessed on a weekly basis. In the first experiment, birds receiving dried algae at 50 and 200 g/ton showed a significant improvement in FCR compared to the infected control during the challenge period (days 14-20). In the second experiment, the dried algae treatment had no significant effect on FCR, but lesion scores were significantly reduced in the groups receiving 50, 150, and 200 g/ton dried algae relative to the infected control. In both experiments, the dried algae treatment did not significantly impact mortality or oocyte shedding. In the second experiment, staining of intestinal samples with fluorescently tagged antibodies demonstrated that dried algae at 100 g/ton increased the number of intestinal macrophages compared to the infected control. A significant and dose-dependent increase in intestinal MHC-II+ expression was also observed for birds fed dried algae, with an 8-fold increase observed in the 200 g/ton group relative to the infected control. Similarly, increased total immune cell density (measured by the mean fluorescence intensity of CD45+ cells) was also observed at 150 and 200 g/ton. Overall, these data suggest that dried algae rich in beta-1,3-glucan can help improve gut immunity and host protection, thereby reducing morbidity associated with coccidiosis.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; beta-Glucans; Chickens; Coccidiosis; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Eimeria; Eimeria tenella; Euglena gracilis; Feces; Male; Microalgae; Poultry Diseases

The effects in broiler chicks of treatment with a competitive exclusion (CE) product, an experimental dietary probiotic, and the abiotic beta-glucan on cecal colonization, organ invasion, and serum and intestinal IgG and IgA levels to Salmonella challenge was evaluated. Four groups of 1-d-old chicks were treated by oral gavage on d 1 with an appropriate dose of a commercial CE product. Three groups received daily doses of probiotic, beta-glucan, or both, for 6 d. Three other groups were fed daily from d 1 onwards with probiotic, beta-glucan, or both. Subgroups of 30 chicks from each group were challenged on d 1, 9, 16, or 23 with 10(7) cfu/ mL of Salmonella Typhimurium (1769NR) and killed 7 d later. Control groups were maintained untreated and remained unchallenged (negative control), or were challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium (1769NR; positive control), as described above. Cecum, liver, and spleen samples were examined for the presence of Salmonella, whereas serum and intestinal fluid samples were assayed for total antibody (IgG and IgA) concentrations. Data were analyzed by 1-way ANOVA, and means were compared using Duncan's multiple range test. In comparison with other treatments, those involving CE product and beta-glucan, with or without probiotic during the first week, resulted in a superior inhibition of cecal colonization and organ invasion by Salmonella and also offered a higher level of protection (P < 0.05). During the second week, treatments containing experimental dietary probiotic and beta-glucan, with or without CE product, resulted in an inhibition of liver invasion (P < 0.05). The IgA levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in intestinal fluid compared with serum, whereas IgG had low levels. The results in the first and third week indicate that combination treatments involving CE product, probiotic, and beta-glucan are a more effective control of Salmonella colonization than the corresponding individual preparations.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; beta-Glucans; Cecum; Chickens; Diet; Immunoglobulin A; Lactobacillus; Poultry Diseases; Probiotics; Salmonella Infections, Animal; Salmonella typhimurium

The development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has led to a need for alternatives to antibiotics for growth promotion and disease prevention in poultry production. The helical polysaccharide beta-1,3/1,6-glucan is derived from the cell wall of Saccharomyces cervisiae and has immunomodulating activities. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of 2 supplementation programs with a commercial beta-1,3/1,6-glucan product to protect broiler chicks from experimental respiratory challenge with Escherichia coli. Chicks were housed in battery-brooders from 1 d of age and fed a standard starter diet or the same diet containing 20 g/ton (22 ppm) of purified beta-1,3/1,6-glucan either continuously (BG25d) or for only the first 7 d prior to challenge (BG7d). At d 7 one-half of the birds were inoculated in the thoracic air sac with 800 cfu of a serotype O2, nonmotile strain of E. coli. All surviving birds were necropsied at d 25. Body weight of survivors and feed conversion efficiency were protected from the adverse effects of E. coli challenge by BG7d but not by BG25d. Mortality was nominally decreased from 63% (control) to 53% in BG25d and 47% in BG7d, but these decreases were not significant. The relative weights of the liver and heart were increased, and the bursa of Fabricius relative weights were decreased by E. coli challenge, and these effects were modulated by beta-glucan treatment. Despite positive effects of BG7d in E. coli-challenged birds, the BW of nonchallenged birds was decreased by BG7d and BG25d. These results suggest that supplementation of broiler diets with beta-1,3/1,6-glucan may be valuable for decreasing production losses due to E. coli respiratory disease, but that the immune stimulation provided may also result in decreased production values under experimental battery conditions or for birds raised in an environment with minimal disease challenges.

Topics: Animals; Chickens; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Glucans; Male; Poultry Diseases

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of oral administration of β-glucan (G70), a product obtained from the cell wall of yeast, on Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-specific hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers, lymphocyte proliferation, and the role of T lymphocyte subpopulations in chickens treated with live NDV vaccine. In addition, the influence of β-glucan on splenic gene expression was investigated by transcriptome sequencing. The results revealed that the supplementation of β-glucan boosted the titer of serum NDV HI increased the NDV stimulation index of lymphocytes in peripheral blood and intestinal tract, and promoted the differentiation of T lymphocytes into CD4

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Viral; beta-Glucans; Chickens; Immunity; Newcastle Disease; Newcastle disease virus; Poultry Diseases; RNA, Messenger; Spleen; Vaccines, Attenuated; Viral Vaccines

Limited use of medication in poultry feed led to the investigation of exogenous enzymes as antibiotic alternatives for controlling enteric disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of diet β-glucanase (BGase) and medication on β-glucan depolymerization, digestive tract characteristics, and growth performance of broilers.. Broilers were fed hulless barley (HB) based diets with BGase (Econase GT 200P from AB Vista; 0 and 0.1%) and medication (Bacitracin and Salinomycin Na; with and without) arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial. In Experiment 1, 160 broilers were housed in cages from d 0 to 28. Each treatment was assigned to 10 cages. In Experiment 2, broilers (2376) were housed in floor pens and vaccinated for coccidiosis on d 5. Each treatment was assigned to one floor pen in each of nine rooms.. In Experiment 1, the soluble β-glucan weighted average molecular weight (Mw) in the ileal digesta was lower with medication in the 0% BGase treatments. Peak molecular weight (Mp) and Mw were lower with BGase regardless of medication. The maximum molecular weight for the smallest 10% β-glucan (MW-10%) was lower with BGase addition. In Experiment 2, Mp was lower with medication in 0% BGase treatments. Beta-glucanase resulted in lower Mp regardless of medication, and the degree of response was lower with medication. The MW-10% was lower with BGase despite antibiotic addition. Body weight gain and feed efficiency were higher with medication regardless of BGase use through-out the trial (except d 11-22 feed efficiency). Beta-glucanase resulted in higher body weight gain after d 11 and worsened and improved feed efficiency before and after d 11, respectively, in unmedicated treatments.. BGase and medication caused the depolymerization of soluble ileal β-glucan. Beta-glucanase acted as a partial replacement for diet medication by increasing growth performance in coccidiosis vaccinated broilers.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; beta-Glucans; Chickens; Coccidiosis; Dietary Supplements; Digestion; Glucan 1,4-beta-Glucosidase; Hordeum; Ileum; Poultry Diseases; Vaccination

Results indicated significant alteration of growth performance, serum biochemistry, and selected liver gene expression with pathological lesions, especially in the lymphoid organs due to E. coli infection. These alterations were mitigated by Mannan-oligosaccharide and β-Glucan supplementation.. It could be concluded, Mannan-oligosaccharide and β-Glucan supplementation in broiler's diet improved the immune response of broilers and mitigated pathological lesion resulted from E. coli infection.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; beta-Glucans; Chickens; Diet; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Liver; Male; Mannans; NF-kappa B; Poultry Diseases; Probiotics; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

This 42-day study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with β-1,3-glucan (Aleta™) on the vaccination response to Newcastle disease virus (NDV), avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), and infectious bursal disease (IBD) in a non-challenged environment. This trial included 600 chicks (all vaccinated with IBD at the hatchery) which were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: vaccination (NDV, IBV), no vaccination, or vaccination combined with feed supplemented with Aleta (100 g/MT of feed). The vaccination with Aleta treatment group showed a trend for improved FCR that was not statistically significant. Control birds that were not vaccinated for IBV had significantly lower IBV titers on day 21 compared to birds that were vaccinated (both with and without Aleta). Surprisingly, there was significant separation among treatment groups for NDV titer levels, especially on day 21, where birds vaccinated and supplemented with Aleta had significantly higher titer levels compared to vaccination alone or no vaccination at all. Critically, only 14% of the birds receiving the vaccine plus Aleta had titer levels below the critical titer threshold for immunity compared to 28% of the birds receiving the vaccine alone and 40% of the unvaccinated birds. This suggests that Aleta supplementation may help to improve the vaccination response by birds, especially for NDV.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; beta-Glucans; Chickens; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Infectious bronchitis virus; Newcastle Disease; Newcastle disease virus; Poultry Diseases; Vaccination; Viral Vaccines

Immunosuppression is a condition that causes large economic losses in the poultry industry. To investigate the effect of sulfated yeast beta-glucan on immunosuppression, two hundred and fifty 11-day-old chickens were randomly assigned to five groups, and except for the normal control group, injected with cyclophosphamide once a day for 3 successive days. At 14 days of age, sulfated yeast beta-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae(sGSC) was orally administered at three doses to the chickens in three experimental groups for 14 days. On days 7 and 14 after the first sGSC dose, serum cytokine concentrations and peripheral lymphocyte proliferation were measured. Gut microbiota, organ index, and histopathological changes in the bursa were investigated on day 14. The results demonstrated that at 4 mg/kg, sGSC could significantly enhance the bursa index and IFN-γ and IL-6 concentrations, decrease TGF-β1 concentration, and promote lymphocyte proliferation; it could effectively decrease histopathological changes in the bursa and improve gut Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus populations in cecal digesta of chickens compared with the model control group. This indicated that sGSC could effectively alleviate immunosuppression and regulate the beneficial microbiota in the gut.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antigens, Fungal; beta-Glucans; Cell Proliferation; Chickens; Cytokines; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Glucans; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Immunomodulation; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes; Poultry Diseases; Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Coccidiosis is a costly parasitic disease to the poultry industry with multiple prevention methods being explored to control its impact. This study evaluated the feeding effects of β-glucans on performance and responses of chickens during a coccidiosis challenge. Cobb 500 male broilers (n = 1280) were assigned to 1 of 8 treatment groups (8 replicate pens; 20 birds/pen) in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement, including non-infected and Eimeria-infected birds fed for 28 d a control diet, control + BG (150 g/MT Algamune 50), control + BGZn (100 g/MT Algamune 50 Zn), and control + 0.01% Salinomycin (Sal). On d15, birds in the challenge groups received a mixed Eimeria inoculum. Birds and feed were weighed weekly on a per pen basis to evaluate body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratios (FCR). Lesion scores were assessed 6 d post infection (d21) on 3 birds per pen. Performance data were subjected to ANOVA and differences were established using the LS-MEANS statement with significance reported at P ≤ 0.05. There were minor differences in lesion scores among the dietary treatments in the infected groups with reduced duodenal and cecal scores in the Sal group compared to the BGZn and BG groups, respectively. The coccidiosis challenge main effect resulted in a significant reduction in 0-28 d BW and FI. Dietary treatment resulted in non-significant effect on BWG, but Sal addition resulted in increased FI. A significant diet X challenge interaction resulted in higher FCR in the Eimeria-challenged birds supplemented with Sal and BGZn in comparison to the other challenged groups, likely due to reduced mortality in the challenged Sal and BGZn groups. Body composition analysis at d28 revealed that the Eimeria challenge reduced both fat and lean tissue contents, where the β-glucans and Sal birds had lower fat percent than control birds.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; beta-Glucans; Chickens; Coccidiosis; Diet; Eimeria; Energy Metabolism; Immunologic Factors; Male; Poultry Diseases; Prebiotics; Weight Gain; Zinc

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of yeast β-d-glucans (YG) on gene expression of endogenous β-defensins (AvBDs), cathelicidins (Cath) and liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP-2) in broilers challenged with Salmonella enteritidis (SE). 240 day-old Cobb male broilers were randomly assigned to 2×2 factorial arrangements of treatments with two levels of dietary YG (0 or 200mg/kg in diet) and two levels of SE challenge (0 or 1×10(9) SE at 7-9 days of age). The results showed SE infection reduced growth performance,and increased salmonella cecal colonization and internal organs invasion, increased concentration of intestinal specific IgA and serum specific IgG antibody, as compared to uninfected birds. SE challenge differentially regulated AvBDs, Caths and LEAP-2 gene expression in the jejunum and spleen of broiler chickens during the infection period. However, YG supplementation inhibited the growth depression by SE challenge, and further increased level of serum specific IgG and intestinal specific IgA antibody. Higher level of salmonella colonization and internal organs invasion in the SE-infected birds were reduced by YG. SE-induced differentially expression patterns of AMPs genes was inhibited or changed by YG. Results indicated YG enhance chicken's resistance to salmonella infection.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; beta-Glucans; Chickens; Gene Expression; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Intestines; Poultry Diseases; Salmonella; Salmonella Infections, Animal; Yeasts

This study investigated the protective effect of β-1,3/1,6-glucan on gut morphology, intestinal epithelial tight junctions, and bacterial translocation of broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Ninety Salmonella-free Arbor Acre male broiler chickens were randomly divided into 3 groups: negative control group (NC), Salmonella Typhimurium-infected positive group (PC), and the Salmonella Typhimurium-infected group with dietary 100 mg/kg of β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation (T) to determine the effect of β-1,3/1,6-glucan on intestinal barrier function. Salmonella Typhimurium challenge alone significantly decreased villus height (P < 0.001), villus height/crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05), and the number of goblet cells (P < 0.001) in the jejunum at 14 d postinfection (dpi), but significantly increased the number of intestinal secretory IgA (sIgA)-expressing cells at 14 dpi (P < 0.01) and total sIgA levels in the jejunum at 7 (P < 0.05) and 14 dpi (P < 0.01) compared with the unchallenged birds (NC). Dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation not only significantly increased villus height, villus height/crypt depth ratio, and the number of goblet cells (P < 0.01), but also increased the number of sIgA-expressing cells (P < 0.05) and sIgA content in the jejunum at 14 dpi (P < 0.01) in birds challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium in comparison with Salmonella Typhimurium challenge alone. β-1,3/1,6-Glucan addition had significant inhibitory effects (P < 0.05) on cecal Salmonella colonization levels and liver Salmonella invasion of the Salmonella Typhimurium-infected birds compared with the PC group. Intestinal tight junction proteins claudin-1, claudin-4, and occludin mRNA expression in the jejunum at 14 dpi was significantly decreased by Salmonella Typhimurium challenge alone (P < 0.01) compared with that of the NC group, whereas β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation significantly increased claudin-1 and occludin mRNA expression (P < 0.01) at 14 dpi in the jejunum of the Salmonella Typhimurium-infected birds in comparison with the PC group. Our results indicate that dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan can alleviate intestinal mucosal barrier impairment in broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium.

Topics: Animals; Bacterial Proteins; beta-Glucans; Chickens; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Goblet Cells; Intestinal Mucosa; Jejunum; Liver; Male; Poultry Diseases; RNA, Messenger; Salmonella Infections, Animal; Salmonella typhimurium

Sera samples from commercial broiler chickens and turkeys diagnosed with respiratory and disseminated aspergillosis were tested for the presence of antigen and antibody to Aspergillus. Antigen detection consisted of testing for two cell-wall components, beta-glucan and galactomannan, which have been used extensively in human medicine. There were significantly higher levels of galactomannan in all broiler chicken submissions (100%) and antibody to Aspergillus in 6 out of 9 submissions (66.6%) vs. control birds. Beta-glucan analyses did not show any differences among levels in the broiler chicken groups. There were significantly higher levels of galactomannan antigen in 4 out of 7 submissions (57.1%) of aspergillosis in commercial turkeys, while only 2 out of 7 submissions (28.5%) had higher levels of antibody to Aspergillus vs. the control group. This study shows that diagnosis of respiratory and disseminated aspergillosis may be performed by detection of galactomannan antigenemia and antibodies in broiler chickens and to an extent in turkeys.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Fungal; Antigens, Fungal; Aspergillosis; Aspergillus; beta-Glucans; California; Chickens; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Galactose; Mannans; Poultry Diseases; Serologic Tests; Species Specificity; Turkeys

Genetic line and diet affect chicken heterophil activity and gene expression, and the combination of these factors can enhance disease resistance. This study evaluated the effects of immune modulating diets on heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio and heterophil chemokine expression in distinct genetic lines. Fayoumi and Leghorn chickens were fed a basal diet or immune modulating diets enhanced with β-glucans, ascorbic acid, or corticosterone. H/L ratios and heterophil gene expression in response to in vitro stimulation with Salmonella enteritidis (SE) were evaluated on days 1, 3, 7, and 21 of diet treatment. The stress-mimicking corticosterone diet influenced H/L ratio in the Leghorn line, but not the Fayoumi line, suggesting resistance to stress-induced immunosuppression in the Fayoumi line. Leghorn line H/L ratios were increased on days 1 and 3 of corticosterone diet treatment, but not days 7 or 21. Expression of CXCLi2 by SE stimulated heterophils was higher in the Leghorn line, suggesting that Leghorns rely more heavily on inflammatory response than do Fayoumis. Corticosterone diet was associated with reduced CXCLi2 expression in heterophils from both lines. Dietary β-glucan or ascorbic acid did not affect H/L ratio or CXCLi2 expression, suggesting that benefits of these immunomodulators may not be evident in healthy birds.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Avian Proteins; beta-Glucans; Chickens; Corticosterone; Diet; Gene Expression; Granulocytes; Immunologic Factors; Interleukin-8; Poultry Diseases; Salmonella enteritidis; Salmonella Infections, Animal; Species Specificity

Avian influenza virus vaccines produced in oil-emulsified inactivated form with antigen content of at least 160 hemagglutinin units (HAU) induced immunity in birds. However, in addition to enhancing the effect of the adjuvant(s), other additional supplemented biological compounds included in inactivated vaccines could produce higher levels of antibody. We examined in chickens, Vietnamese ducks, and muscovy ducks the adjuvant effect of Sophy β-glucan (SBG), a β-1,3-1,6 glucan produced by the black yeast Aureobasidium pollulans strain AF0-202, when administered with an avian influenza H5 subtype vaccine. In Experiment 1, 40 chickens (ISA Brown hybrid), allocated to four groups of ten each, were immunized with Oil-H5N1(VN), Oil-H5N1(CN), Oil-H5N2(CN), and saline (control group), respectively. In Experiment 2, chickens (ISA Brown hybrid), muscovy ducks (French hybrid), and Vietnamese ducks (indigenous Vietnamese) were used to further assess the effect of SBG on immunogenicity of the Oil-H5N1(VN) Vietnamese vaccine. ELISA and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays were used to assess the antibody response. The H5 subtype vaccines initiated significantly higher immune responses in the animals dosed with SBG, with 1.0-1.5 log2 higher HI titers and 10-20% ELISA seroconversion, compared with those not dosed with β-glucan. Notably, some of the animals dosed with SBG induced HI titers higher than 9.0 log2 following boosting immunization. Taken together, our serial studies indicated that SBG is a potential effector, such as enhancing the immune response to the H5 vaccines tested.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antibody Formation; Ascomycota; beta-Glucans; Chickens; Ducks; Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; Immunization; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; Influenza A Virus, H5N2 Subtype; Influenza in Birds; Influenza Vaccines; Poultry Diseases; Vaccines, Inactivated

This study was carried out to determine the effect of Sophy β-glucan on immunity and growth performance in broilers. One group was treated with 1% β-glucan ad libitum with water and the other group was kept as the control. Vaccination for Infectious Bursal Disease was carried out on days 16 and 21. Blood samples were collected from birds, and antibody titres against IBD were measured. The mean body weight of the β-glucan treated group was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of the control group. The mean antibody titres measured on days 25, 36 and 42 were significantly (P<0.05) higher in 1% β-glucan treated group than that of the control group, suggesting the presence of immune stimulating effect of β-glucan.

Topics: Animals; beta-Glucans; Birnaviridae Infections; Chickens; Infectious bursal disease virus; Poultry Diseases; Viral Vaccines; Water

Escalating consumer concerns regarding pathogen resistance have placed the poultry industry under mounting pressure to eliminate the use of chemotherapeutic agents as feed additives. One possible alternative receiving increased attention is the use of immunomodulators such as β-glucan. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of a yeast-derived β-glucan (Auxoferm YGT) on broiler chick performance, lesion scores, and immune-related gene expression during a mixed Eimeria infection. Day-old chicks were fed diets containing 0, 0.02, or 0.1% YGT. On d 8 posthatch, one-half of the replicate pens were challenged with a mixed inoculum of Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, and Eimeria tenella. Measurements were taken and samples collected on d 4, 10, 14, and 21 posthatch. Dietary supplementation had no effect on performance or mortality. On d 14, 3 birds per pen (n = 24/treatment) were scored for intestinal coccidia lesions. Gross lesion severity was significantly reduced in birds supplemented with 0.1% YGT. On d 10, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression was downregulated in the jejunum of challenged birds fed 0.1% YGT. Expression of iNOS in the ileum was downregulated in the nonchallenged birds, but upregulated in the challenged birds fed 0.1% YGT on d 14. Interleukin (IL)-18 was upregulated in the jejunum of 0.1% YGT-treated birds. Interferon (IFN)-γ expression was decreased in challenged and nonchallenged birds fed 0.1% YGT. The IL-4 expression was downregulated in the nonchallenged birds with 0.1% YGT diet supplementation. The IL-13 and mucin-1 levels were also reduced due to β-glucan supplementation. Mucin-2 expression was increased in the nonchallenged birds, but decreased in the infected birds fed 0.1% YGT. These results suggest that although Auxoferm YGT at doses of 0.02 and 0.1% does not influence performance, it significantly reduces lesion severity and is capable of altering immune-related gene expression profiles, favoring an enhanced T helper type-1 cell response during coccidiosis.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Base Sequence; beta-Glucans; Cecum; Chickens; Coccidiosis; DNA Primers; Duodenum; Eimeria; Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (NADP+); Interleukin-18; Jejunum; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Poultry Diseases; RNA