AUTHOR=Zhao Wenyu , Huang Yuan , Cui Na , Wang Ruiguo , Xiao Zhiming , Su Xiaoou 

TITLE=Glucose oxidase as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters improves the immunity function, antioxidative status, and cecal microbiota environment in white-feathered broilers

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1100465

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2023.1100465

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of glucose oxidase (GOD) on broilers as an appropriate antibiotic substitute. 420 one-day old male Cobb500 broilers were randomly assigned into five dietary treatments, each with seven replicates (12 chicks per replicate). The treatments included two control groups (basal diet and basal diet with 50 mg/kg aureomycin), and three concentrations of GOD additive groups. Analysis after t-test showed that on day 21, the feed:gain ratio decreased significantly in the 1200 U/kg GOD-supplied group (GOD1200) compared to the antibiotic group (Ant). The decrease also happened in GOD1200 during day 22-42 together with the 600 U/kg GOD-supplied group (GOD600) when they compared to the blank control group (Ctr). Tests on the serum indicated: For the starting phase (0 to 21 days), when compared with Ctr, the TGF-β cytokine significantly decreased in GOD600 and GOD1200, the malondialdehyde decreased and the superoxide dismutase increased in GOD1200 as the antibiotic group did. For the growing phase (0 to 42 days), D-Lactate and the glutathione peroxidase activity changed in the GOD1200 group remarkably and surpassed the Ant group. Meanwhile, GOD up-regulated the expression of jejunal barrier genes (MUC-2 and ZO-1), respectively, in two phases relative to the Ctr. Interestingly, in the aureomycin-supplied group, the secretory immunoglobulin A significantly decreased in jejunal at 42 days. Changes in microbial genera were also discovered in cecum by sequencing 16S rRNA genes at 42 days. The biomarkers for GOD supplementation were identified as Colidextribacter, Oscillibacter, Flavonifractor, Oscillospira, and Shuttleworthis. Except for Shuttleworthis, the former were n-butyrate producers with a variety of benefits for broilers. The PICRUSt prediction of microbial communities discovered 11 pathways that were enriched in both control and GOD-supplied groups. GOD1200 accounted for more metabolic pathways, aiding nutrition absorption and digestion.  In conclusion, a diet containing GOD was beneficial to broiler health, particularly at a concentration of 1200 U/kg. The improved feed conversion ratio, immunity, antioxidative ability, and intestinal condition attribute GOD to be a good alternative for antibiotics in broiler breeding.