Search Results (108)

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) promotes growth performance and intestinal development in yellow-feathered broilers, but whether the virome and metabolites contribute to its growth-promoting effect remains unclear. This study removed the microbiota from FMT filtrate using a 0.45 μm filter membrane, retaining the virome and metabolites to perform fecal virome transplantation (FVT), aiming to investigate its regulatory role in broiler growth. Healthy yellow-feathered broilers with high body weights (top 10% of the population) were used as FVT donors. Ninety-six 8-day-old healthy male yellow-feathered broilers (95.67 ± 3.31 g) served as FVT recipients. Recipient chickens were randomly assigned to a control group and an FVT group. The control group was gavaged with 0.5 mL of normal saline daily, while the FVT group was gavaged with 0.5 mL of FVT solution daily. Growth performance, immune and antioxidant capacity, intestinal development and related gene expression, and microbial diversity were measured. The results showed that FVT improved the feed utilization rate of broilers (the feed conversion ratio decreased by 3%; p < 0.05), significantly increased jejunal length (21%), villus height (69%), and crypt depth (84%) (p < 0.05), and regulated the jejunal barrier: insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (2.5 times) and Mucin 2 (MUC2) (63 times) were significantly upregulated (p < 0.05). FVT increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria Lactobacillales. However, negative effects were also observed: Immunoglobulin A (IgA), Immunoglobulin G (IgG), Immunoglobulin M (IgM), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), and Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in broilers were significantly upregulated (p < 0.05), indicating immune system overactivation. Duodenal barrier-related genes Mucin 2 (MUC2), Occludin (OCLN), Claudin (CLDN1), and metabolism-related genes solute carrier family 5 member 1 (SLC5A1) and solute carrier family 7 member 9 (SLC7A9) were significantly downregulated (p < 0.05). The results of this trial demonstrate that, besides the microbiota, the gut virome and metabolites are also functional components contributing to the growth-promoting effect of FMT. The differential responses in the duodenum and jejunum reveal spatial heterogeneity and dual effects of FVT on the intestine. The negative effects limit the application of FMT/FVT. Identifying the primary functional components of FMT/FVT to develop safe and targeted microbial preparations is one potential solution. Full article

Marek’s Disease Virus (MDV) is a highly contagious pathogen in chickens, resulting in immunosuppression and T-cell lymphomas. Understanding the role of host cytokines in MDV pathogenesis is crucial for developing effective interventions. This study investigated the in vivo effects of overexpressing avian interleukin-17 (IL-17) in Marek’s disease virus infection model and its impact on T-cell populations. We utilized a recombinant pCDNA3.1 plasmid that expresses IL-17 at days 4 and 10 post-MDV infection in chickens. Our findings demonstrate that IL-17 overexpression significantly enhanced MDV replication. However, treatment with the plasmid expressing IL-17 led to a reduction in MD disease severity. Additionally, IL-17 treatment markedly altered the frequency of CD4+ and CD8α+ αβ T-cells. Specifically, at 21-dpi, there was an increase in CD3+ CD8α+ αβ T cells and a decrease in CD3+ CD4+ αβ T-cells within the spleen of chickens treated with the plasmid expressing IL-17. These modulatory effects suggest a possible mechanism by which IL-17 facilitates immune system cell activation and enhances viral persistence. This study underscores the pivotal role of IL-17 in MDV infection dynamics and offers. Full article

Background/Objectives: The use of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae meal in poultry nutrition is gaining attention as a sustainable protein source with a high nutritional value, an efficient bioconversion of organic waste, and potential functional benefits for intestinal health. This study evaluated the dietary effects of including 5% BSF larvae meal on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and energy utilization as well as on the intestinal integrity, gene expression, lipid profile, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production of broilers under an intestinal challenge. Methods: Eight hundred one-day-old male broilers were assigned to four dietary treatments with eight replicates (25 birds/pen) and reared until day 40. Birds were fed either a Basal corn–soy diet or a BSF diet (5% BSF larvae meal replacing energy- and protein-yielding ingredients). Diets were provided to a non-challenged group and a challenged group, which was orally gavaged with Eimeria spp. on day 1 and Clostridium perfringens on days 11 and 14. The growth performance was evaluated up to day 40, while the nutrient digestibility, meat lipid profile, intestinal histomorphology, and gene expression were assessed at 21 days. The SCFAs were determined at both 21 and 40 days. Results: It was observed that the intestinal challenge induced dysbiosis and negatively affected growth performance, whereas the BSF meal inclusion partially mitigated these adverse effects. Broilers fed the BSF larvae meal showed increased cecal SCFA concentrations and a lower interleukin-6 gene expression, along with higher lauric and myristic acid levels in breast muscle (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: The inclusion of 5% BSF larvae meal improved performance without impairing nutrient digestibility or intestinal histomorphology, while increasing cecal concentrations of butyric and acetic acids and promoting a beneficial lipid deposition. Full article

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent mycotoxin, poses a significant threat to animal health through contaminated feed. Our study aims to investigate the neurotoxic effects of AFB1in chickens, with a special emphasis on the brain. Seven-day-old chickens were fed AFB1-contaminated feed (5 mg of AFB1/kg of feed) for two weeks, after which neurobehavioral assessments and biochemical analyses were conducted and compared to control chickens. In the open-field test, chickens exposed to AFB1 exhibited a reduction in locomotor activity and exploratory behavior. Additionally, AFB1 exposure increased the tonic immobility response. Biochemical analyses revealed that AFB1-contaminated feed reduced whole-brain acetylcholinesterase activity, suggesting impaired cholinergic neurotransmission. Indicators of oxidative stress in the brain revealed a reduction in glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase levels, and total antioxidant capacity, alongside an increase in malondialdehyde levels, indicating heightened oxidative stress in the brain. The neurotoxic effects of AFB1 were further supported by the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes, including interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-17, and inducible nitric oxide synthase, as determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our study demonstrates that AFB1-contaminated feed influences chicken neurobehavioral outcomes and brain biochemistry and represents the inaugural evidence that AFB1 exposure markedly reduces AChE activity in the whole brain of chickens. Full article

Objectives: Ferulic acid is a natural and safe herbal feed additive. This study aims to evaluate the effects of ferulic acid on the growth performance, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities, immune function, and intestinal microbiota of broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 320 broiler chickens, aged 14 days, were randomly divided into four groups: a blank control group (MA group), a low-concentration ferulic acid group (BM group, 10 mg/kg), a medium-concentration ferulic acid group (CM group, 30 mg/kg), and a high-concentration ferulic acid group (DM group, 90 mg/kg) after a 14-day acclimatization period. The experiment lasted for 28 days, and the chickens were dissected on day 29. Results: The results showed that compared to the MA group, the feed-to-meat ratio in the CM and DM groups was significantly reduced. The activity of duodenal trypsin in the CM and DM groups was significantly enhanced, and the activity of pancreatic protease in the DM group was significantly increased. The serum levels of urea nitrogen, creatinine, and triglycerides were significantly elevated in the CM and DM groups. The serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the BM, CM, and DM groups were significantly reduced, while the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were significantly increased in the CM and DM groups. The serum interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels in the BM group were significantly decreased, while interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels in the CM group and complement component 3 (C-3) levels in the DM group were significantly increased. The mRNA expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, TNF-α, NLRP3, IL-1β, and IL-18 in the jejunum of the DM group were significantly reduced. The diversity of cecal microbiota in the ferulic acid groups changed, with a certain degree of increase in the relative abundance of Spirulina and Ruminococcus. The relative abundance of Escherichia coli in the DM group significantly increased, altering the metabolic function of the cecal microbiota in broiler chickens. Conclusions: The above results indicate that ferulic acid, as a novel feed additive for broiler chickens, has an impact on the growth performance, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity, immune function, and intestinal microbiota of broiler chickens. Full article

(1) The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of the Gallus gallus avian β-defensin 11 (AvBD11) in the immune response induced by the avian influenza virus H9N2. (2) AvBD11 was expressed using E. coli, and the effects of different concentrations of AvBD11 on cytokine expression in the ex vivo and in vivo erythrocytes of chickens infected with the avian influenza subtype H9N2 were detected by using fluorescence quantification. (3) The results showed that cytokine expression varied among the test groups compared to the control group in the in vitro assay at 2, 6, and 10 h. Lipopolysaccharide induced TNF factor (LITAF) and Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were significantly increased in the AvBD11 group with the addition of the final concentration of 15 μg/mL at 6 h. At 10 h, Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IFN-γ were both more significantly increased in the 15 and 10 μg/mL groups than in the H9N2 group alone. In the in vivo test, IFN-γ and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) were significantly increased in the high-dose group than in the H9N2 group at 3 d and 7 d. (4) In conclusion, the ability of AvBD11 to induce the expression of more cytokines by chicken erythrocytes in a short period of time suggests that it is not only an antimicrobial peptide but also a possible immunomodulator. Full article

Intestinal inflammation significantly compromises broiler health and adversely affects growth performance. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was found to maintain the gut health of animals. However, the role and mechanism of EGCG in preventing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal inflammation in chicks have not yet been fully elucidated. In the 35-day study, 140 one-day-old Wenchang chickens were randomly assigned to four treatments: CON (basal diet), LPS (basal diet + 1 mg/kg body weight (BW) LPS), L-EGCG (basal diet + 40 mg/kg BW EGCG + 1 mg/kg BW LPS), and H-EGCG (basal diet + 60 mg/kg BW EGCG + 1 mg/kg BW LPS). On days 31, 33, and 35 of age, broilers in the LPS, L-EGCG, and H-EGCG treatments received intraperitoneal injections of LPS. The LPS reduced jejunal villus height, villus height/crypt depth ratio, Claudin1 mRNA, catalase (CAT) activity, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels compared to CON while elevating diamine oxidase (DAO), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). EGCG improved growth performance in LPS-challenged broilers, elevating jejunal villus height and Claudin1/ZO-1 mRNA with reduced serum DAO. It enhanced antioxidant capacity via increased serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), CAT, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and a decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. Concurrently, EGCG lowered IL-1β/TNF-α and raised IL-10 in serum/jejunum. Crucially, EGCG suppressed jejunal TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB mRNA and protein expression under LPS. These findings demonstrate EGCG’s protective role against LPS-induced intestinal inflammation in Wenchang chickens through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway inhibition. Full article

This article aims to investigate the mechanism by which Bacillus amyloliquefaciens alleviates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal oxidative stress. The study involved two experimental subjects: human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells and Arbor Acres broiler chickens. The experiment involving two samples was designed with the same treatment groups, specifically the control (CK) group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (JF) group, and JF+LPS group. In the Caco-2 experiment, we administered 2 μg/mL of LPS and 1 × 10⁶ CFU/mL of JF to the LPS and JF groups, respectively. In the broiler experiment, the LPS group (19–21 d) received an abdominal injection of 0.5 mg/kg BW of LPS, whereas the JF group was fed 1 × 10⁷ CFU/g of JF throughout the entire duration of the experiment (1–21 d). The results indicated the following: (1) JF significantly decreased the DPPH free radical clearance rate and hydrogen peroxide levels (p < 0.05). (2) JF significantly enhanced the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px) activity in Caco-2 cells (p < 0.05), while concurrently reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) content (p < 0.05). (3) Compared to the CK group, JF significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), SOD, catalase (CAT), GSH-Px, interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), Claudin, Occludin1, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and mucin 2 (MUC2) in Caco-2 cells (p < 0.05), while concurrently reducing the mRNA expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) (p < 0.05). In comparison to the LPS group, the JF+LPS group demonstrated a significant increase in the mRNA expression of Nrf2, SOD, GSH-Px, and IL-4, as well as Occludin1, ZO-1, and MUC2 in Caco-2 cells (p < 0.05), alongside a decrease in the mRNA expression of Keap1, TNF-α, and IL-1β (p < 0.05). (4) In broiler chickens, the JF group significantly elevated the levels of T-AOC, CAT, and GSH-Px in the jejunum while reducing MDA content (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the CAT level in the JF+LPS group was significantly higher than that observed in the LPS group, and the levels of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). (5) In comparison to the CK group, the JF group exhibited a significant increase in Nrf2 levels in the jejunum of broiler chickens (p < 0.05). Notably, the mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-10, Claudin, Occludin1, ZO-1, and MUC2 were reduced (p < 0.05), while the mRNA expression levels of Keap1, TNF-α, and IL-1β also showed a decrease (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of Nrf2, Occludin1, ZO-1, and MUC2 in the JF+LPS group were significantly elevated compared to those in the LPS group (p < 0.05), whereas the mRNA expression levels of Keap1 and TNF-α were significantly diminished (p < 0.05). In summary, JF can enhance the intestinal oxidative stress response, improve antioxidant capacity and intestinal barrier function, and decrease the expression of inflammatory factors by regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway. Full article

Objective: The poultry industry is significantly impacted by viral infections, particularly Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), which leads to substantial economic losses. It is essential to comprehend how the sequence of development affects biological pathways and how early exposure to infections might affect immune responses. Methods: This study employed transcriptome analysis to investigate host–pathogen interactions by analyzing gene expression changes in NDV-infected chicken embryos’ lungs. Result: RNA-Seq reads were aligned with the chicken reference genome (Galgal7), revealing 594 differentially expressed genes: 264 upregulated and 330 downregulated. The most overexpressed genes, with logFC between 8.15 and 8.75, included C8A, FGG, PIT54, FETUB, APOC3, and FGA. Notably, downregulated genes included BPIFB3 (−4.46 logFC) and TRIM39.1 (−4.26 logFC). The analysis also identified 29 novel transcripts and 20 lncRNAs that were upregulated. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathways’ analyses revealed significant alterations in gene expression related to immune function, metabolism, cell cycle, nucleic acid processes, and mitochondrial activity due to NDV infection. Key metabolic genes, such as ALDOB (3.27 logFC), PRPS2 (2.66 logFC), and XDH (2.15 logFC), exhibited altered expression patterns, while DCK2 (−1.99 logFC) and TK1 (−2.11 logFC) were also affected. Several immune-related genes showed significant upregulation in infected lung samples, including ALB (6.15 logFC), TLR4 (1.86 logFC), TLR2 (2.79 logFC), and interleukin receptors, such as IL1R2 (3.15 logFC) and IL22RA2 (1.37 logFC). Conversely, genes such as CXCR4 (−1.49 logFC), CXCL14 (−2.57 logFC), GATA3 (−1.51 logFC), and IL17REL (−2.93 logFC) were downregulated. The higher expression of HSP genes underscores their vital role in immune responses. Conclusion: Comprehension of these genes’ interactions is essential for regulating viral replication and immune responses during infections, potentially aiding in the identification of candidate genes for poultry breed improvement amidst NDV challenges. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding L. paracasei LK01 to the diet on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity, intestinal health, and serum biochemical indicators of broilers. This study selected 1080 one-day-old broiler chickens with similar body weight, and randomly divided them into six groups, with six replicates in each group and 30 chicks in each replicate. The chicks were fed (1) the basal diet (CON), (2) the basal diet with 10⁶ CFU/kg L. paracasei LK01(T1), (3) the basal diet with 10⁷ CFU/kg L. paracasei LK01(T2), (4) the basal diet with 10⁸ CFU/kg L. paracasei LK01(T3), (5) the basal diet with 10⁹ CFU/kg L. paracasei LK01(T4), and (6) the basal diet with 10¹⁰ CFU/kg L. paracasei LK01(T5). The experiment lasted for 42 days. In this study, compared with the CON group, the diet supplemented with L. paracasei significantly increased body weight from 1 to 21 days (p < 0.05). In addition, the 10⁶ CFU/kg L. paracasei LK01 group significantly reduced the activity of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and triglyceride levels; the 10⁷ CFU/kg,10⁸ CFU/kg, and 10⁹ CFU/kg L. paracasei LK01 groups also reduced serum uric acid and total cholesterol levels (p < 0.05). The experimental groups all had lower serum levels of malondialdehyde and interleukin-1β (p < 0.01). Except for the 10⁶ CFU/kg group, all experimental groups had significantly lower tumor necrosis factor-α, and the 10⁶ and 10⁷ CFU/kg groups had higher immunoglobulin M levels (p < 0.05). In addition, the 10⁶ CFU/kg group significantly reduced the depth of the ileocecal crypts and increased the villus-to-crypt ratio (V/C) of the jejunum and ileum. In addition, dietary supplementation with L. paracasei LK01 did not change the α diversity of the microbial community in the cecum, but significantly increased the proportion of Bacteroides (phylum) (p < 0.05). The 10⁶ CFU/kg group also significantly increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Ruminococcaceae (genus), Lachnospiraceae (genus), and Faecalibacterium (genus) (p < 0.05). In summary, this study revealed that adding 10⁶ CFU/kg of L. paracasei LKO1 to broiler diets can improve their production performance, serum biochemical indicators, antioxidant, and immune capabilities, as well as cecal flora. Full article

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sugarcane bagasse-extracted polyphenolic mixture (SBPM) supplementation on the harmful effects of chronic heat stress (HS) in broiler chickens. Methods: Two hundred and eighty-eight day-old male Ross 308 chicks were fed an SBPM in 0, 75, 150, or 300 ppm-supplemented diets and reared under thermoneutral (TN, 22.1–24.8 °C) or chronic HS (28.3–36.2 °C) conditions from 11 d to 42 d. Results: The chronic HS treatment negatively affected body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05), and these changes were partially attenuated by the SBPM supplementation (p < 0.05). Plasma lipid peroxidation content, inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-β], corticosterone, and uric acid concentrations were significantly increased by HS, and these increases were attenuated by the SBPM supplementation (p < 0.05). Intestinal permeability indicator and serum fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran levels after oral gavage were increased by HS and were also suppressed by the supplementation (p < 0.05). The HS-decreased muscle drip loss, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione content were also suppressed by the SBPM supplementation. The abovementioned alleviating effects of the SBPM were of a dose-dependent manner in most cases. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that SBPM supplementation can improve the growth performance, meat quality, inflammation, and intestinal permeability of chronic HS-treated broiler chickens. Full article

To overcome the antimicrobial residues in food, benzoic acid (BA) and oregano essential oil (OEO) are used in the broiler chicken industry. Independently, both exerted anticoccidial and antimicrobial actions and improved growth performance in broiler chickens. Their effect may be multiplied when they are used in combination. This present study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of dietary BA and OEO alone or in combination as a substitute for a commercial coccidiostatic drug on growth performance and physiological and immunological responses in broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria species. A total of 252 unsexed 1-day-old broiler chicks were equally allotted to 36 pens, each pen containing seven chicks. The pens were randomly assigned to six treatments with six pens (replicates) for each treatment (n = 6)—(i) negative control, (ii) positive control, coccidia-challenged and non-treated, (iii) supplemented with salinomycin (an anti-coccidial drug) at 60 mg/kg of feed and coccidia-challenged, (iv) supplemented with BA at 500 mg/kg of feed and coccidia-challenged, (v) supplemented with OEOat 500 mg/kg of feed and coccidia-challenged (OEO), and (vi) supplemented with BA at 500 mg/kg of feed and OEO at 500 mg/kg of feed and coccidia-challenged (B&O). The liver enzymes and thyroxine and creatinine levels were not affected (p > 0.05) both in coccidia-challenged and supplemented chickens. The BA and OEO applied separately or in combination (B&O) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced gut pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella and Escherichia coli) and Eimeria spp., and concurrently enhanced (p > 0.05) the Lactobacillus population with better body weight gain, improved feed utilization, and superior hematological values. It also up-regulated (p > 0.05) the interferon-γ gene expression and down-regulated (p < 0.05) the interleukin-10 and Toll-like receptor-4 gene expression to protect the chickens from inflammatory reactions, which were not demonstrated in salinomycin-treated birds. The B&O supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the immune system by enhancing Eimeria-specific immunoglobulin Y titer and lymphocyte proliferation response. This study suggests that the combined application of OEO and BA can substitute for a commercial anti-coccidial agent (salinomycin) in controlling coccidiosis as well as improving growth performance, gut health, and immune responses in broiler chickens with a means of antimicrobial-resistant free food products. Full article

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the suppressive effects of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) administration on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in broiler chickens. Methods: Twenty-day-old male broiler chickens were randomly allocated to three groups, each of which was treated with saline (control), intraperitoneal administration of LPS [1.5 mg/kg body weight (BW), Escherichia coli O127:B8], or LPS plus BHB (3 mmol/kg BW). Results: Plasma albumin and total protein concentration were significantly reduced by LPS administration, while BHB co-treatment partially attenuated the effects. The LPS treatment significantly induced plasma aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities, and interleukin (IL)-6 concentration, with the increases suppressed by BHB co-treatment (p < 0.05). The LPS treatment significantly increased the gene expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18 in the spleen and peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC), while the increases were partially attenuated by BHB in the spleen. Relatively higher levels of BHB dehydrogenase 1 and succinyl-CoA:3-ketoacid CoA transferase were observed in the spleen and skeletal muscle, while these gene levels were lower in PBMC and the liver. Conclusions: The present results suggest that BHB can suppress LPS-induced inflammation, in which ketolytic enzyme expression levels may be involved in broiler chickens. Full article

This study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the efficacy of different multi-antigen vaccines, including heat-inactivated, whole lysate, and subunit (outer membrane proteins [OMPs]) C. jejuni vaccines along with the immunostimulant CpG ODN in controlling Campylobacter colonization in chickens. In the first trial, 125 μg of C. jejuni OMPs and 50 μg of CpG ODN were administered individually or in combination, either in ovo to chick embryos or subcutaneously (SC) to one-day-old chicks. In the second trial, different concentrations of C. jejuni antigens (heat-killed, whole lysate, and OMPs) were administered SC to one-day-old chicks. The results of the first trial revealed that SC immunization with the combination of CpG ODN and C. jejuni OMPs elevated interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-13 gene expression in the spleen, significantly increased serum IgM and IgY antibody levels, and reduced cecal C. jejuni counts by approximately 1.2 log₁₀. In contrast, in ovo immunization did not elicit immune responses or confer protection against Campylobacter. The results of the second trial showed that SC immunization with C. jejuni whole lysate or 200 μg OMPs reduced C. jejuni counts by approximately 1.4 and 1.1 log₁₀, respectively. In conclusion, C. jejuni lysate and OMPs are promising vaccine antigens for reducing Campylobacter colonization in chickens. Full article

The use of cinnamaldehyde and Vitamin C can improve immunity and intestinal health. A two-way factorial design was employed to investigate the main and interactive effects of cinnamaldehyde and vitamin C on the growth, carcass, and intestinal health of broiler chickens. A total of 288 one-day-old female Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly distributed among four treatment groups, consisting of six replicate cages with 12 birds each. Four treatments were basal diet or control (CON), supplemental cinnamaldehyde (CA) 300 g/ton (g/t), vitamin C (VC) 300 g/t, and cinnamaldehyde 300 g/t, and vitamin C 300 g/t (CA + VC), respectively. The results showed that supplemental CA did not affect the growth performance or slaughter performance of broilers at 21 days (d), 42 days (d), and 1–42 days (d); however, it could improve intestinal barrier function at 42 d of age and reduce the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in the intestine at 21 d and 42 d of age. Supplemental VC showed a trend towards increasing body weight gain (BWG) at 21 d (p = 0.094), increased breast muscle rate (at 21-d 5.33%, p < 0.05 and at 42-d 7.09%, p = 0.097), and decreased the abdominal fat (23.43%, p < 0.05) and drip loss (20.68%, p < 0.05) at 42-d. Moreover, VC improves intestinal morphology and intestinal barrier function and maintains a balanced immune response. The blend of CA and VC significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD-88) in the intestine at 21 d of age, the mRNA expression of catalase (CAT), Occludin, Claudin-1, Mucin-2, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) in the intestine at 42 d of age (p < 0.01), and downregulated the mRNA expression of interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the intestine at 21-d and 42-d of age, and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) mRNA in intestine at 42 d of age (p < 0.01). This study suggested that the combination of CA and VC had the potential to regulate intestinal health and result in better carcass character of broilers. Full article