Effect of Lactobacillus gallinarum PL 53 supplementation on xylose absorption and intestinal morphology in broilers challenged with Campylobacter jejuni

Abstract

A feeding trial of indigenous probiotic lactobacilli strains including Lactobacillus gallinarum PL 53, L. paracasei PL 120 and L. gallinarum PL 149 was conducted to monitor the effect on intestinal absorption capacity and histological changes in broiler chicks challenged with Campylobacter jejuni. A total of 45, day old chicks were randomly assigned to nine experimental groups (5 birds/ group). Group A was negative and B positive control while group C, D and E prevention model, F, G and H treatment model and group I antibiotic control. Groups other than negative control received Campylobacter jejuni (106 CFUs/bird) challenge on day 14 by oral gavage. The groups of prevention model received lactobacilli (~108 CFUs/bird) strains from day 1-35 and treatment model received lactobacilli from day 15-35. The absorption capacity of intestine was monitored by concentration of D-xylose in plasma (0.5 and 1 hour post administration). The probiotic group L. gallinarum PL 53 (group C) significantly enhanced D- xylose absorption capacity as compared to control groups (59.69±2.07mg/dL) in both the prevention (72.83±1.20mg/dL) and treatment (71.11±2.27mg/dL) models. Intestinal morphology was observed by measuring villi length, width, crypt depth and surface area of the small intestine. PL 53 increased the villi length of ileum (930±4.00µm), jejunum (890±8.00µm) and duodenum (1350±4.00µm). The group which received L. gallinarum PL 53 strain had maximum surface area of the intestinal segments with 0.41±0.03mm2, 0.45±0.03mm2 and 0.72±0.02mm2 of ileum, jejunum and duodenum, respectively. In conclusion, the PL 53 L. gallinarum may improve the gut performance and absorption capacity of broilers.