Combined Dietary Supplementation with Bacillus subtilis DSM 29784 and a Phytogenic Blend Modulates the Microbiome–Gut–Bone Axis in Broiler Chickens

Information from the abstract

The microbiome–gut–bone axis may influence skeletal physiology in fast-growing broilers. This study evaluated dietary Bacillus subtilis DSM 29784 combined with a phytogenic blend (BsP) in 560 male Ross 308 broilers assigned to control or BsP diets (eight pens/treatment; 35 birds/pen) for 42 days. One clinically normal bird per pen was sampled on days 21, 35, and 42. BsP increased final body weight and cumulative gain and reduced the overall feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). Intestinal barrier-associated gene expression increased, several ileal inflammatory marker transcripts decreased, and mineral-handling-related gene expression and serum/femoral mineral concentrations were higher at selected ages. Cecal 16S rRNA gene profiles showed differences in diversity and taxonomic composition. PICRUSt2 identified differences in predicted microbial functional potential, not measured pathway activity or metabolite production. Femoral inflammatory and osteogenic gene expression responses varied with age. Exploratory networks summarized microbiome–gut–bone associations at days 21, 35, and 42 without establishing causality or within-bird temporal change. BsP was associated with improved growth and altered intestinal and bone-related indicators, but clinical BCO prevention was not established. Future factorial studies should include direct bone quality measurements, standardized clinical and lesion assessments, and targeted microbial metabolite measurements.

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Related topics: Animal Nutrition and Physiology · Gut microbiota and health · Probiotics and Fermented Foods