AUTHOR=Guo Shuangshuang , Xi Yu , Xia Yi , Wu Tao , Zhao Di , Zhang Zhengfan , Ding Binying 

TITLE=Dietary Lactobacillus fermentum and Bacillus coagulans Supplementation Modulates Intestinal Immunity and Microbiota of Broiler Chickens Challenged by Clostridium perfringens

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.680742

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2021.680742

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=Preventative effects of Lactobacillus fermentum and Bacillus coagulans against Clostridium perfringens infection in broilers have been well demonstrated. The present study was conducted to investigate the modulation of these two probiotics on intestinal immunity and microbiota of C. perfringens-challenged birds. The 336 one-day-old broilers were assigned to four groups with six replicates in each group. Birds in the control were unchallenged and fed basal diet, and birds in three challenged groups were dietary supplemented with nothing (Cp group), 1 × 109 CFU/kg of L. fermentum (Lf_Cp group) or 1 × 1010 CFU/kg of B. coagulans (Bc_Cp group). Challenge was performed from days 14 to 20, and samples were collected on days 21 and 28. Challenge up-regulated interleukin (IL)-1β and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β4 mRNA expression in jejunum on day 21, which was down-regulated by B. coagulans and L. fermentum, respectively (P < 0.05). Both probiotic groups up-regulated jejunal IL-1β, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-17 and TGF-β4 on day 28 as well as IFN-γ on day 21 (P < 0.05). The Bc_Cp group increased CD3+ T cell counts in jejunal crypt on day 21 (P < 0.05). Challenge decreased ileal ACE index on day 21 and cecal microbial richness on day 28, which were increased by probiotic treatments, and Bc_Cp group decreased ileal bacterial richness on day 28 (P < 0.05). Only ileal microbiota on day 21 was distinctly affected with R-value at 0.3116 by ANOSIM analysis (P < 0.05). Compared with the control, challenged groups increased ielal Firmicutes on day 21, and decreased ileal Bacteroidetes and cecal Proteobacteria on day 28 (P < 0.05). Challenge increased Romboutsia spp. in ileum as well as unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcus_torques_group in cecum, and decreased Lactobacillus spp. in ileum on day 21, which were all conversely modulated by L. fermentum (P < 0.05). Challenge increased amino acid metabolism of ileal microbiota and membrane transport of cecal microbiota, and decreased amino acid metabolism of cecal microbiota on day 21, which were conversely regulated by both probiotics (P < 0.05). In conclusion, L. fermentum and B. coagulans attenuated the intestinal inflammation and microbial dysbiosis soon after C. perfringens challenge.