Theses and Dissertations
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Kiess, Aaron S.
Committee Member
Simpson, Chartrisa, L.
Committee Member
Karsi, Attila
Committee Member
Zhai, Wei
Date of Degree
8-7-2020
Original embargo terms
Visible to MSU only for 1 year
Document Type
Dissertation - Open Access
Major
Agriculture and Life Science
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department
Department of Poultry Science
Abstract
Controlling pathogenic presence in broilers has become a priority in the poultry industry to prevent economic losses due to disease and infection, as well as the possible contamination of chicken products. The use of antibiotics reduces the incidence of infections; however, their removal from production initiated the search for suitable alternatives. Probiotic ineed supplements have been widely evaluated as alternatives. Probiotic use has improved broiler performance, reduced pathogenic loads, and stimulated the immune system at later life stages. However, there is still a gap in protection during the first weeks after the chick hatches. The in ovo supplementation of probiotics has the potential of promoting early health benefits and protect the chick against pathogens after hatch. In the present study, the in ovo inoculation of different probiotic species was evaluated. It was determined that the inoculation of higher concentrations of E. faecium (107 cfu/50µL) into the egg improves growth performance and intestinal morphology compared to lower doses (105 and 106 cfu/50µL). It was also determined that not all B. subtilis serotypes are safe for in ovo inoculation, even if recognized as safe for use in feed, due to a high reduction in hatchability. However, certain B. subtilis are safe for in ovo inoculation and regulate the gut microflora through modulations in coliforms and aerobic bacteria after hatch. Lastly, the in ovo inoculation of different Lactobacillus strains does not affect hatchability or growth performance. However, different Lactobacillus species stimulated cytokine production even during the first week of hatch. The bursa of Fabricius morphology was modulated through an increase in follicular area, which could possibly induce higher antibody production against incoming pathogenic challenges. These results indicate that the in ovo inoculation of probiotic bacteria can induce earlier benefits to broiler health through early changes in gut microflora, as well as early stimulation in the immune system. The early protection provided through the in ovo inoculation of probiotics combined with the protection obtained through the administration of probiotics in feed could potentially result in overall healthier broilers and therefore improved performance.
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/11668/18417
Recommended Citation
Castañeda Bustillo, Claudia Duneska, "Early administration of probiotics through in ovo inoculation and their impact on gut microflora, immune response, and growth performance of broiler chicks" (2020). Theses and Dissertations. 1597.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/1597