INTRODUCTION 🐣
Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections are a significant concern in poultry production, leading to severe health complications and economic losses. This study aimed to explore the potential of a polyherbal mixture (PHM) as a dietary supplement to mitigate the adverse effects of E. coli O78 infection in broiler chicks. A total of 180 one-day-old white-feathered broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: a control group (CON), an E. coli infection group, and two groups receiving 2 g/kg (PHM2) and 4 g/kg (PHM4) of PHM. On day 17, all except the CON group were intraperitoneally injected with E. coli. The experiment evaluated the protective efficacy of PHM through a range of physiological, biochemical, and microbiological indicators. The results revealed that PHM supplementation could significantly alleviate the impacts of E. coli infection, making it a promising strategy in poultry health management.
GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES 📈
One of the primary effects of E. coli infection in broilers is reduced growth performance, characterized by weight loss, high diarrhea rates, and increased mortality. In this study, PHM supplementation, especially at 4 g/kg, significantly reversed these negative trends. Broilers receiving PHM showed notable improvements in body weight and a reduction in both diarrhea incidence and mortality rates compared to the E. coli group. This suggests that PHM supports overall health and resilience in broiler chicks by mitigating clinical symptoms associated with pathogenic infections, positioning it as a viable growth-promoting feed additive in the face of bacterial challenges.
SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY AND IMMUNE RESPONSES 🧪
E. coli infection typically disrupts systemic immunity and oxidative balance in poultry. The serum analysis in this study showed that PHM significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of infected chicks. It boosted levels of immunoglobulins and anti-inflammatory cytokines while suppressing proinflammatory cytokines. These changes indicate that PHM fortifies systemic immunity and protects against oxidative stress. This dual action—immune enhancement and inflammation suppression—highlights PHM's potential as an immunomodulatory agent in broiler nutrition strategies aimed at managing bacterial diseases.
GENE EXPRESSION AND ORGAN-SPECIFIC RESPONSES 🧬
The influence of PHM extended to gene-level changes in vital organs such as the liver, spleen, jejunum, and ileum. In these tissues, PHM supplementation upregulated antioxidant-related genes while downregulating proinflammatory cytokines and apoptosis-related genes. These molecular modifications underscore the depth of PHM's protective mechanisms. By influencing gene expression, PHM contributes not only to organ integrity but also to the broader physiological responses necessary for counteracting bacterial infections and maintaining homeostasis in poultry.
INTESTINAL BARRIER FUNCTION AND SYSTEMIC TOXIN REDUCTION 🛡️
Maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier is crucial for preventing systemic infections and inflammation. E. coli challenge led to barrier damage, evident from elevated serum d-lactate (DAO) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels. However, PHM significantly repaired intestinal injury, as reflected in reduced DAO and LPS concentrations. This finding demonstrates PHM’s role in protecting gut integrity, thereby preventing the translocation of bacterial toxins into the bloodstream. Strengthening the intestinal barrier can be considered a key functional benefit of PHM, reducing the risk of systemic complications.
GUT MICROBIOTA MODULATION AND MICROBIAL CORRELATIONS 🧫
One of the most profound effects of PHM supplementation was its impact on the cecal microbiota. PHM significantly increased the relative abundance of beneficial microbes such as Faecalibacterium, Bacteroides, Butyricicoccus, and Lactobacillus, while reducing pathogenic genera including Enterococcus, Escherichia, and Shigella. These shifts in microbial populations were closely correlated with improved antioxidant capacity and intestinal barrier function, and inversely associated with inflammatory markers. This finding suggests that PHM mediates its protective effects through microbiota modulation, making gut health a central axis in combating E. coli infections in poultry.
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Hashtags
#PoultryResearch #EscherichiaColi #BroilerHealth #GutMicrobiota #PolyherbalMixture #AnimalNutrition #IntestinalHealth #Antioxidants #Immunomodulation #LivestockScience #VeterinaryMedicine #GeneExpression #Cytokines #MicrobiomeModulation #Probiotics #EcoliChallenge #BarrierFunction #FunctionalFeedAdditives #PoultryImmunity #MicrobialEcology
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