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Main page > Research and Trials > Poultry > Wageningen University, The Netherlands, 2004
E.coli challenge trial with pullets (0-3 weeks) at Wageningen University, The Netherlands 2004
The aim of the trial was to investigate the effects of Progut™ on mortality, growth, feed intake, lesion scores and gut microbial population of young pullets after pathogenic E.coli challenge.
Materials and methods
At the beginning of the trial 160 day-old pullets were placed in 16 cages, 5 female and 5 male pullets in each cage. The pullets had ad libitum access to feed and water. The control group was fed with standard feed and trial group with standard feed + 0,15 % Progut™. At day 15 all pullets in the challenge trial were inoculated with 0,3 ml pathogenic E.coli culture according to routine procedure at Het Spelderholt research farm. At day 22 all birds were euthanized and investigated on lesion-scores on air sacks, liver and heart. Growth was calculated from individual bodyweights. Feed intake was measured per cage and mortality was registered each day in the trial period. At the end of the trial 8 caecum samples were taken from both groups and the content of total bacteria, bifidobacteria and enterobacteria in caecum was measured with the in-house 16S rRNA-FISH-method.
Results
Growth and feed conversion ratio in Progut™ feed group were slightly better than in the control group during the E.coli challenge period (see table below). The differences weren't statistically significant. Lesion scores in Progut™ feed group were lower than in the control group in all studied organs (air sacs, heart and liver). The total score was 1,46 in the control and 1,26 in Progut feed group. In summary the E.coli challenge in this trial caused only a mild infection (scores 0-3), which was slightly less severe with Progut™ in feed.
GROWTH, FEED CONVERSION RATIO AND LESION SCORES
Results from microbial analysis showed that Progut™ in feed significantly increased the amount of Bifidobacteria, generally known as beneficial for gut health(see figure below). Increase in the number of Bifidobacteria was four fold compared with the control group.
THE AMOUNT OF BIFIDOBACTERIA IN THE CAECUM OF PULLETS FED WITH STANDARD AND PROGUTTM FEEDS
Progut™ added to feed decreased the number of Enterobacteria and significantly increased the ratio between Bifidobacteria and Enterobacteria (see figure below). The ratio between these bacteria species may be used as a measure of well-balanced microbial population and gut health.
BIFIDOBACTERIA/ENTEROBACTERIA RATIO IN THE CAECUM OF PULLETS FED WITH STANDARD AND PROGUTTM FEEDS |
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