Effects of phage cocktail, probiotics and their combinations on growth performance and gut microbiota of broiler chickens
Phages, which are often used therapeutically, have begun to receive interest as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) for enhancing chicken growth. Another option that has been extensively studied as a growth promoter in chickens is probiotics. To the best of our knowledge, there is cur...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI
2023
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/107602/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/107602/1/animals-13-01328.pdf |
| _version_ | 1848864941168132096 |
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| author | Shaufi, Mohd Asrore Mohd Sieo, Chin Chin Chong, Chun Wie Geok Hun, Tan Omar, Abdul Rahman Han Ming, Gan Wan Ho, Yin |
| author_facet | Shaufi, Mohd Asrore Mohd Sieo, Chin Chin Chong, Chun Wie Geok Hun, Tan Omar, Abdul Rahman Han Ming, Gan Wan Ho, Yin |
| author_sort | Shaufi, Mohd Asrore Mohd |
| building | UPM Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Phages, which are often used therapeutically, have begun to receive interest as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) for enhancing chicken growth. Another option that has been extensively studied as a growth promoter in chickens is probiotics. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no study available on the use of phages and probiotics in combination as potential feed additives for broiler chickens. Therefore, this study demonstrated the effects of a phage cocktail, probiotics, and their combination on the growth performance and gut microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of 288 one-day-old male Cobb 500 broilers were randomly allotted to one of six treatments in a completely randomised design. The treatments were (i) C (basal diet (BD) only), (ii) 1ϕ (BD + 0.1% phage cocktail), (iii) 2ϕ (BD + 0.2% phage cocktail), (iv) P (BD + 0.1% probiotic), (v) 1ϕP (BD + 0.1% phage cocktail + 0.1% probiotic), and (vi) 2ϕP (BD + 0.2% phage cocktail + 0.1% probiotic). The 1ϕP treatment had significantly (p < 0.05) better BW (35 days), BWG (22–35 days, 1–35 days), and FCR (1–21 days, 22–35 days, 1–35 days) compared to C. Unique gut microbiota diversity was also found between the ϕP (1ϕP and 2ϕP) and non-ϕP groups (C, 1ϕ, 2ϕ, and P) in ilea, particularly in the 35-day-old chickens. Microorganisms associated with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers were significantly (p < 0.05) more present in the ϕP group than in the non-ϕP group. The predicted genes related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism were significantly upregulated in ϕP groups compared to non-ϕP groups. These genes were involved in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as the production of energy. Our findings showed that the 1ϕP treatment could be a potential alternative to AGPs for poultry, as growth performance was enhanced, and gut microbiota was positively modulated. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T13:56:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | upm-107602 |
| institution | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T13:56:48Z |
| publishDate | 2023 |
| publisher | MDPI |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | upm-1076022024-09-02T02:31:09Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/107602/ Effects of phage cocktail, probiotics and their combinations on growth performance and gut microbiota of broiler chickens Shaufi, Mohd Asrore Mohd Sieo, Chin Chin Chong, Chun Wie Geok Hun, Tan Omar, Abdul Rahman Han Ming, Gan Wan Ho, Yin Phages, which are often used therapeutically, have begun to receive interest as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) for enhancing chicken growth. Another option that has been extensively studied as a growth promoter in chickens is probiotics. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no study available on the use of phages and probiotics in combination as potential feed additives for broiler chickens. Therefore, this study demonstrated the effects of a phage cocktail, probiotics, and their combination on the growth performance and gut microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of 288 one-day-old male Cobb 500 broilers were randomly allotted to one of six treatments in a completely randomised design. The treatments were (i) C (basal diet (BD) only), (ii) 1ϕ (BD + 0.1% phage cocktail), (iii) 2ϕ (BD + 0.2% phage cocktail), (iv) P (BD + 0.1% probiotic), (v) 1ϕP (BD + 0.1% phage cocktail + 0.1% probiotic), and (vi) 2ϕP (BD + 0.2% phage cocktail + 0.1% probiotic). The 1ϕP treatment had significantly (p < 0.05) better BW (35 days), BWG (22–35 days, 1–35 days), and FCR (1–21 days, 22–35 days, 1–35 days) compared to C. Unique gut microbiota diversity was also found between the ϕP (1ϕP and 2ϕP) and non-ϕP groups (C, 1ϕ, 2ϕ, and P) in ilea, particularly in the 35-day-old chickens. Microorganisms associated with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers were significantly (p < 0.05) more present in the ϕP group than in the non-ϕP group. The predicted genes related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism were significantly upregulated in ϕP groups compared to non-ϕP groups. These genes were involved in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as the production of energy. Our findings showed that the 1ϕP treatment could be a potential alternative to AGPs for poultry, as growth performance was enhanced, and gut microbiota was positively modulated. MDPI 2023-04-13 Article PeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/107602/1/animals-13-01328.pdf Shaufi, Mohd Asrore Mohd and Sieo, Chin Chin and Chong, Chun Wie and Geok Hun, Tan and Omar, Abdul Rahman and Han Ming, Gan and Wan Ho, Yin (2023) Effects of phage cocktail, probiotics and their combinations on growth performance and gut microbiota of broiler chickens. Animals, 13 (8). pp. 1-16. ISSN 2076-2615 https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/8/1328 10.3390/ani13081328 |
| spellingShingle | Shaufi, Mohd Asrore Mohd Sieo, Chin Chin Chong, Chun Wie Geok Hun, Tan Omar, Abdul Rahman Han Ming, Gan Wan Ho, Yin Effects of phage cocktail, probiotics and their combinations on growth performance and gut microbiota of broiler chickens |
| title | Effects of phage cocktail, probiotics and their combinations on growth performance and gut microbiota of broiler chickens |
| title_full | Effects of phage cocktail, probiotics and their combinations on growth performance and gut microbiota of broiler chickens |
| title_fullStr | Effects of phage cocktail, probiotics and their combinations on growth performance and gut microbiota of broiler chickens |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of phage cocktail, probiotics and their combinations on growth performance and gut microbiota of broiler chickens |
| title_short | Effects of phage cocktail, probiotics and their combinations on growth performance and gut microbiota of broiler chickens |
| title_sort | effects of phage cocktail, probiotics and their combinations on growth performance and gut microbiota of broiler chickens |
| url | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/107602/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/107602/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/107602/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/107602/1/animals-13-01328.pdf |