Effects of <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> HW1 on Growth Performance, Intestinal Immune Response, Barrier Function, and Cecal Microflora of Broilers with Necrotic Enteritis

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum HW1 on growth performance, intestinal immune response, barrier function, and cecal microflora of broilers with necrotic enteritis. In total, 180 one-day-old male Cobb 500 broilers were randomly allocated into three groups comprising a non-infected control (NC) group, basal diet + necrotic enteritis challenge (NE) group, and basal diet + 4 × 106 CFU/g Lactobacillus plantarum HW1 + necrotic enteritis challenge (HW1) group. Broilers in the NE and HW1 groups were orally given sporulated coccidian oocysts at day 14 and Clostridium perfringens from days 19 to 21. The results showed that the HW1 treatment increased (p p D-lactic acid and diamine oxidase levels, while increasing (p p Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus), and increased (p Lactobacillus count. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 4 × 106 CFU/g Lactobacillus plantarum HW1 could relieve necrotic enteritis infection-induced intestinal injury and improve growth performance in broilers by improving intestinal barrier function and regulating intestinal microbiology.

Keywords

• <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i>
• broiler
• necrotic enteritis
• immunity response
• intestinal barrier function