ACTA VETERINARIA ET ZOOTECHNICA SINICA ›› 2018, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (5): 962-970.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2018.05.011

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Effects of Enterococcus faecium on the Growth Performance,Serum Biochemical Parameters and the Structure of Cecal Microflora in the E. coli-challenged Broilers

CAO Guang-tian1, DAI Bing1, ZHANG Ling-ling1, ZENG Xin-fu2, YANG Cai-mei1*   

  1. 1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou 311300, China;
    2. Zhejiang Huijia Bio-technology Co., Ltd., Anji 313300, China
  • Received:2017-08-28 Online:2018-05-23 Published:2018-05-23

Abstract:

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Enterococcus faecium administration on the growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and cecal microflora's structure in E. coli-challenged broilers. A total of 360 1-day-old White Feather chickens with the approximative body weight were randomly divided into 4 groups, six replicates (15 birds per replicate) in each group:negative control (NC), positive control (basal diet, PC), E. faecium-fed (E. f) and antibiotic-fed birds (Anti). The birds in PC, E. f and Anti groups were challenged with E. coli K88 on d 7, the whole test lasted for 28 d. And the serum levels of complement components and immunoglobulins were measured by the specific kits, while the change of cecal microbiota was determined by PCR-DGGE. Data showed that:1) The birds in E. f group had significant higher body weight than that of birds in NC and PC groups on d 14, 21 and 28(P<0.05); The birds in E. f group had significant higher ADG than that of birds in NC and PC groups during d 10-14, 15-21 and 10-28 (P<0.05). 2) The birds in E. f and Anti groups had significant higher level of serum IgA than that of birds in NC and PC groups on d 14, 21 (P<0.05); Birds in E. f and Anti groups had significant higher level of serum IgG than that of birds in NC group in d 10-28(P<0.05). 3) Compared with birds in PC group, birds in E. f group had significant higher C3 concentration on d 21(P<0.05). The birds in PC, E. f and Anti groups had higher serum lysozyme than that of birds in NC group on d 10, 14 and 21 (P<0.05). 4) Compared with the birds in PC group, birds in E. f group had significant higher Shannon index of cecal microflora (P<0.05) on d 28. In conclusion, the dietary Enterococcus faecium improved the growth performance, serum immune parameters and changed the diversity of cecal intestinal microflora in the E. coli K88-challenged chicken.

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