Extensive Literature Search on the ‘Effects of Copper intake levels in the gut microbiota profile of target animals, in particular piglets’

Abstract

The potential effect of the copper intake on the microbiota profile of pigs, chickens and cows was reviewed through an extensive literature search. A total of 28 (out of 229), 17 (out of 106) and 0 (out of 114) references were considered relevant for pigs, chickens and cows, respectively. The overall conclusion from the studies with piglets and growing pigs is that copper, even at low concentrations (<50 mg/kg feed), may affect the microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract. Especially, the population of clostridia and coliform bacteria seems to be affected by low copper concentrations. At higher concentrations (>170 mg/kg feed) Cu as CuSO4 reduces the population of lactobacilli in piglets as well as growing pigs. In slaughter pigs, the addition of Cu as CuSO4 reduces the population of streptococci in colonic and fecal samples, the population of ureolytic bacteria in the colon of which streptococci make up 74%, the urease activity in the colon, and decarboxylation and deamination of amino acids in the small intestine. No effect of Cu as CuSO4 on the population of streptococci and on urease activity is seen in piglets. Supplementing piglet diets with 100 to 250 mg/kg Cu as CuSO4 significantly change the community structure of the microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract by reducing the number of bacterial species and reducing the similarity of the microbiota. The overall conclusion from the studies with broilers is that copper, even at low concentrations (<50 mg/kg feed), may affect the microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract. Especially the population of clostridia seems to be affected by low copper concentrations. In particular, copper bound clay minerals seem to have an effect. At higher concentrations (>200 mg/kg feed) inorganic or organic bound copper also seems to affect the population of lactobacilli and coliform bacteria, to reduce the pH in gizzard content and to produce severe gizzard erosion. ©