effect of probiotic and toxin binder on performance, intestinal microbiota and gut morphology in...

Effect of Probiotic and Toxin Binder on Performance, Intestinal

Microbiota and Gut Morphology in Broiler Chickens

Agboola A. F., Omidiwura B. R. O., Odu O., Odupitan F. T. and Iyayi E. A.

J Anim Sci Adv 2015, 5(7): 1369-1379

DOI: 10.5455/jasa.20150709085312

Journal of Animal Science Advances

Online version is available on: www.grjournals.com

http://www.grjournals.com/

AGBOOLA ET AL.

1369 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2015, 5(7): 1369-1379

Effect of Probiotic and Toxin Binder on

Performance, Intestinal Microbiota and Gut

Morphology in Broiler Chickens

Agboola A. F., Omidiwura B. R. O., Odu O., Odupitan F. T. and Iyayi E. A. * Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Abstract

The effects of an antibiotic growth promoter (oxytetracycline), a probiotic, a mycotoxin binder, and a

mixture of the probiotic and mycotoxin binder on growth performance, intestinal microbiota and gut

morphology were examined in two hundred and forty 1-d-old Arbor Acre broiler chicks. They were randomly

assigned to 5 dietary treatments with 6 replicate groups of 8 birds each. A corn-soyabean-based diet was

formulated to serve as the basal diet (negative control, NC) at both starter and grower phases. The basal

diet+antibiotic was the positive control (PC). The other test diets were basal diet+1.0% probiotics (PB), basal

diet+0.05% mycotoxin binder (MB), and basal diet+1.0% PB and 0.05% MB. Body weight gain (BWG), feed

and dry matter intake were significantly (P<0.05) improved in birds fed the PB and MB diets over the NC diet

but not up to the PC diet at starter phase only. The Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) was not influenced by dietary

treatments at both starter and grower phases but gain: feed (G: F) was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by

dietary treatments at 0 to 35 d, with improved G: F observed in birds fed NC+MB and NC+PB+MB diets.

Weight of pancreas was remarkably (P<0.05) higher in birds fed diets supplemented with MB, PB and PB+MB

over the controls. The villus height of birds fed NC+PB was significantly (P<0.05) improved than other dietary

treatments, while the crypt depth of birds fed NC+PB and NC+MB was significantly (P<0.05) improved over

the controls and NC+PB+MB diets. Microflora count in the gut sections showed significant (P<0.05) increase in

coliform load in the duodenum, ileum and caecum in birds fed NC diet. However, in the ileum, there was a

significant (P<0.05) increase in LAB in birds on NC+PB diet.

Keywords: Probiotic, mycotoxin binder, performance, intestinal microbiota, gut morphology, broiler chickens.

Corresponding author: Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Received on: 13 Apr 2015 Revised on: 23 Apr 2015

Accepted on: 09 Jul 2015

Online Published on: 31 Jul 2015

Original Article

ISSN: 2251-7219

EFFECT OF PROBIOTIC AND TOXIN BINDER ON …

1370 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2015, 5(7): 1369-1379

Introduction

The biggest challenge of commercial poultry

production is the availability of good quality feed

on sustainable basis at stable prices (Iyayi, 2008).

The gut ecosystem, which is the site of digestion of

feed as well as host defence is constantly exposed to

pathogens and contaminants from low quality

feedstuffs. Antibiotic growth promoters have been

used to alleviate the harmful effects of pathogenic

microorganisms in the gastro–intestinal tract of

poultry birds, but with increasing concern about

antibiotic resistance, there has been a ban on sub-

therapeutic antibiotics use in animal feeds in Europe

and the potential for a ban in the United States,

necessitating an increasing interest in finding

alternatives to antibiotics such as acidifiers,

probiotics, herbs, prebiotics, essential oils and

enzymes in poultry production. The misuse has

caused the development of resistance to a number of

pathogenic bacteria, and residues of antibiotics are

commonly present in animal-based consumer

products (Van den–Board et al., 2001).

Probiotics have a potential to reduce the

chances of infections in poultry and subsequent

contamination of poultry products. Animals

including poultry are vulnerable to potentially

pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia

coli, Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens and

Campylobacter sputorum. Probiotics have been

reported to contribute to an ideal microbial balance

by benefitting the host animal through stimulation

of synthesis of vitamin B-groups, improvement of

immunity stimulation, prevention of harmful

microorganisms, provision of digestive enzymes

and increase in production of volatile fatty acids

(Coates and Fuller, 1977; Fuller, 1989 and Rolfe,

2000). It was reported that supplementation of

probiotics had not effect on the performance of

broiler chicks (Zu Anon et al., 1998; Patidar and

Prajapati, 1999; Ergun et al., 2000; Kumprechtova

et al., 2000), however, Baidya et al., (1993) stated

that probiotics were the most effective growth

promoter. The controversies in results could be

attributed to the differences in inclusion rates of

probiotics necessitating researches that would

define an ideal inclusion level with optimum

productivity. There is a general agreement that

dietary aflatoxins reduce weight gain, feed intake,

and increase feed conversion ratio. A study by

Dersjant-Li et al., (2003) reported that each ppm of

aflatoxin B1 in diet would decrease the growth

performance of broilers by 5%. However, the data

presented in last decade is not consistent with this

general term. For instance, Raju and Devegowda

(2002) reported a 21% decrease in body weight of

broilers fed 300ppb aflatoxin B1 in their diet.

Contrary to this, Tedesco et al., (2004) noted a

reduction at the rate of only 10% in weight gain of

broilers fed 0.8ppm aflatoxin B1 at 28 days of

feeding trial at higher levels of 3ppm AFB1, 11%

reduction in final body weight was reported by

Valdivia et al., (2001). From all these reports, it is

obvious that both the level and length of aflatoxin

B1 exposure affect the amount of reduction in

weight gain of broilers.

With increased mycotoxin concentrations in

feedstuffs, inclusion of binders in diets becomes

necessary. Eralsan et al., (2005) reported a

moderate increase in the albumin: globulin ratio of

broilers by addition of 0.3 per cent hydrated sodium

bentonite in aflatoxin mixed feed of broilers. Due to

their montmorillonite content, bentonites swell and

form thixotropic gels, as result of their ion exchange

capabilities, they are widely used as mycotoxin

sequestering agent (Duarte and Smith, 2005).

Eraslan et al., (2005) reported the effectiveness of

sodium bentonite in reliving the damages due to the

presence of aflatoxins (1ppm) in 45- day -old

broiler chickens.

Materials and Methods

Two hundred and forty one-day-old Arbor Acre

broiler chicks of average initial weight of 42 grams

were obtained from a local commercial poultry farm

(CHI Ajanla Farms, Ibadan). The birds were

weighed and allocated to 30 pens each with 8 birds

per pen. Six replicate pens were then randomly

allotted to each of the 5 dietary treatments and

reared in two phases (starter phase, d 0-21 and

grower phase, 22-35). Diet 1(basal diet) was the

negative control (NC) diet; Diet 2 (positive control,

PC) was basal diet+105g of oxytetracyclene/tonne

of feed; Diet 3 (NC+probiotics, PB) contained

1000g of probiotic (Grow Up)/tonne of feed; Diet 4

(NC+mycotoxin binder, MB) contained 500g of

mycotoxin binder (Toxinbond)/tonne of feed and

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1371 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2015, 5(7): 1369-1379

Diet 5 was NC+PB+MB. The birds were fed in

groups of eight and records of feed intake were used

to compute feed consumption per bird. Feed and

water were given ad libitum. The feed for both

starter (Table 1) and grower (Table 2) phases were

formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of the

birds according to the recommendation of NRC

(1994).

Table 1: Composition of experimental diets for starter phase (d 0-21).

Diet1

Ingredient, g/kg NC PC NC+Probiotic NC+Toxin binder NC+Probiotic+Toxin binder

Corn 523 523 523 523 523

Soybean meal 320.5 320.5 320.5 320.5 320.5

Fish meal 75 75 75 75 75

Soybean oil 50 49.895 40 49.5 39.5

Dicalcium phosphate2 15 15 15 15 15

Limestone3 10 10 10 10 10

DL-meithionine 1 1 1 1 1

L-lysine 1 1 1 1 1

Salt 2 2 2 2 2

Vit-Min premix4 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5

Antibiotic 0 0.105 0 0 0

Probiotic 0 0 10 0 10

Toxin binder 0 0 0 0.5 0.5

Total 1, 000 1, 000 1, 000 1, 000 1, 000

Calculated analysis

Crude protein, g/kg 234 234 234 234 234

ME Kcal/kg 3080 3079 2996 3076 2992

Crude fiber, g/kg 34.7 34.7 34.7 34.7 34.7

Ca, g/kg 10.9 10.9 10.9 10.9 10.9

Total P, g/kg 8.07 8.07 8.07 8.07 8.07

Non-phytate P, g/kg 3.98 3.98 3.98 3.98 3.98

Ca:P 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36

Ca:NPP 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75

Lysine 13.8 13.8 13.8 13.8 13.8

Methionine 4.39 4.39 4.39 4.39 4.39

Threonine 9.14 9.14 9.14 9.14 9.144

Tryptophan 3.27 3.27 3.27 3.27 3.27

Valine 11.3 11.3 11.3 11.3 11.3 1NC = Negative control, PC = Positive control. 222% Ca, 18% P. 338% Ca. 4Supplied the following per kg Diet: Vit. A: 5484 IU, Vit. D3: 2643 ICU, Vit. E: 11 IU, Menadione sodium bisulfite: 4.38 mg,

Riboflavin: 5.49 mg, d-pantothenic acid: 11 mg, Niacin: 44.1 mg, Choline chloride: 771 mg, Vit. B12: 13.2 ug, Biotin: 55.2 ug,

Thiamine mononitrate: 2.2 mg, Folic acid: 990 ug, Pyridoxine hydrochloride: 3.3 mg, I: 1.11 mg, Mn: 66.06 mg, Cu: 4.44 mg,

Fe: 44.1 mg, Zn: 44.1 mg, Se: 300 ug.


1372 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2015, 5(7): 1369-1379

Table 2: Composition of experimental for grower phase (d 22-35).

Diet1

Ingredient, g/kg NC PC NC+Probiotic NC+Toxin binder NC+Probiotic+Toxin Binder

Corn 558 558 558 558 558

Soybean meal 335.5 335.5 335.5 335.5 335.5

Fish meal 35 35 35 35 35

Soybean oil 40 39.895 30 39.5 29.5

Dicalcium phosphate2 15 15 15 15 15

Limestone3 10 10 10 10 10

DL-meithionine 1 1 1 1 1

L-lysine 1 1 1 1 1

Salt 2 2 2 2 2

Vit-Min premix4 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5

Antibiotic 0 0.105 0 0 0

Probiotic 0 0 10 0 10

Toxin binder 0 0 0 0.5 0.5

Total 1, 000 1, 000 1, 000 1, 000 1, 000

Calculated analysis


ME Kcal/kg 3044 3043 2960 3040 2956

Crude fiber, g/kg 36.1 36.1 36.1 36.1 36.1

Ca, g/kg 9.50 9.50 9.50 9.50 9.50

Total Phosphorus, g/kg 7.30 7.30 7.30 7.30 7.30

Non-phytate P, g/kg 4.05 4.05 4.05 4.05 4.05

Ca:P 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30

Ca:NPP 2.34 2.34 2.34 2.34 2.34

Lysine 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2

Methionine 3.77 3.77 3.77 3.77 3.77

Threonine 8.38 8.38 8.38 8.38 8.38

Tryptophan 3.09 3.09 3.09 3.09 3.09

Valine 10.4 10.4 10.4 10.4 10.4 1NC = Negative control, PC = Positive control. 222% Ca, 18% P. 338% Ca. 4Supplied the following per kg diet; Vit. A: 5484 IU, Vit. D3: 2643 IU, Vit. E: 11 IU, Menadione sodium bisulfite: 4.38 mg,

Riboflavin: 5.49 mg, d-pantothenic acid: 11 mg, Niacin: 44.1 mg, Choline chloride: 771 mg, Vit. B12: 13.2 ug, Biotin: 55.2 ug,

Thiamine mononitrate: 2.2 mg, Folic acid: 990 ug, Pyridoxine hydrochloride: 3.3 mg, I: 1.11 mg, Mn: 66.06 mg, Cu: 4.44 mg, Fe:

44.1 mg, Zn: 44.1 mg, Se: 300 ug.

The proximate composition of the diets (Table

3) was determined by the methods of AOAC

(2000). The birds were reared from d 0 to 21 on

starter diet after which they switched to the grower

diets on d 22 till 35 when 2 birds per replicate were

sacrificed by cervical dislocation to harvest organs,

ileal digesta and for microbial and morphological

studies. The ileum (the portion of the small intestine

extending from the vitelline diverticulum to read a

point of 40 mm proximal to the ileo-caecal junction)

was removed. About 2 cm segment from the last

two-third portion of the ileum from the ileo-caecal

junction was further excised, flushed with distilled

water and immediately preserved in 10% buffered

formalin solution and processed for measurement of

villus height and crypt depth.

Microbial count was done using methods

described by Barrow and Feltharn (1993). In brief:

Media used were prepared according to

manufacturers’ specification. The standard plate

count technique was used in the microbial load

determination. One millimeter of the digesta was

used for serial dilution in sterile 15ml test tubes,

containing 9ml 0.1% sterile peptone water and

vortex. Serial dilution of digesta was made to 10-3

dilution level. One ml of the dilution was delivered

AGBOOLA ET AL.

1373 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2015, 5(7): 1369-1379

by pipetting on Plate count agar and Mac Conkey

agar and incubated at 370C for 18–24 hours.

Discrete colonies on plates were counted using a

colony counter and counts were estimated in log10

CFU/ml.

Statistical Analysis

Data were analyzed using the analysis of

variance (ANOVA) of SAS (2005) and means

separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The

chosen level of significance for all comparison was

P < 0.05.

Results

The results of proximate composition of the

diets are shown in Table 3. The analyzed values

were close to the calculated ones. The results of

performance of broilers are shown in Table 4. Body

weight gain (BWG), feed intake and dry matter

intake were significantly (P<0.05) improved by PB,

MB and their combination over the NC diet but not

up to the PC diet at the starter phase. The FCR and

gain: feed were not affected by diet at this phase.

Diet had no effect on performance at the grower

phase or overall period except the gain: feed which

was significantly (P<0.05) improved by MB and its

combination with PB from d 0-35.

The results of the relative weight of organs are

presented in Table 5. There was no effect of diet on

the relative weight of organs except the pancreas,

which had a significantly (P<0.05) higher weight on

the NC+MB diet. The villus height of birds fed PC

and NC+PB diets were similar but significantly

(P<0.05) higher than values for NC and other diets.

The crypt depth in birds fed NC+PB and NC+MB

diets were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the

NC and similar to the PC diet. The results of

microflora count (CFU) and digesta pH are shown

in Table 6. Diet had no effect on the total bacteria

count (TBC) at the different gut sections. The

coliform counts in the duodenum, ileum and

caecum were significantly (P<0.05) reduced by

supplementation with PB, MB and their

combination compared to the NC diet but similar to

the PC diet. The LAB count was significantly

(P<0.05) increased in the ileum by PB

supplementation over the NC and PC diets. MB and

its combination with PB resulted in similar LAB

count as the PC diet. There was no effect of diet on

digesta pH, although a numerical reduction was

observed in the NC+PB diet.

Discussion

Results of the study showed a significant

increase in the BWG of birds fed the PC diet over

the other dietary treatments at starter phase. This

observation could be explained by the bactericidal

effect of antibiotic, which is greater at early stage of

the birds’ life for improved utilization of nutrients,

unlike the NC + PB, and NC + MB diets that

required a period of time for an ideal intestinal

microflora establishment and biochemical processes

of active binding. However supplementation with

PB and MB resulted in improved BWG over the NC

diet an indication of the positive effect of probiotic

and mycotoxin binder on broiler performance

through the control of the gut microbiota. The

importance of controlling the growth of intestinal

microflora as a means of improving the well-being

of the host is well documented. This is because

good intestinal health will lead to a better growth

rate and feed efficiency (Montagne et al., 2003).

Esteve-Garcia et al., (2003); Van Campenhout et

al., (2001) and Bafundo (2003) confirmed that

antibiotic has the ability to improve FCR and

increase BWG. Feed intake and dry matter intake

were significantly improved in birds fed the NC+PB

and NC+MB diets. It showed that inclusion of

either probiotic or mycotoxin binder in diets fed to

broiler chickens improved feed intake at starter

phase, although not as much as with the PC diet.

There was no effect of diets on the feed conversion

ratio (FCR) at any period of the study. These results

are in contrast with the findings of many reviewers

as reported by Mehdi (2011) that significant

benefits are derived from antibiotic and probiotic

supplementation on chick growth and feed

conversion. There was no significant effect on the

relative weight of organs of birds fed the different

dietary treatments, except for the pancreas of birds

on the NC+MB diet.


1374 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2015, 5(7): 1369-1379

Table 3: Analyzed proximate composition of experimental diets for starter and grower phases.

Diet1

Growth period Item NC PC NC + Probiotic NC + Toxin binder NC + Probiotic + Toxin binder

Starter, d 0-21 Dry matter, g/kg 920 920 910 930 920

Gross energy, kcal/kg 4418 4411 4419 4420 4418


Ash, g/kg 95 50 65 94 85

Crude fat, g/kg 75 80 75 90 70

Ca, g/kg 10.8 12.1 13.9 11.7 11.7

Total P, g/kg 6.71 7.00 7.10 6.50 6.90

Crude fibre, g/kg 30 35 35 30 30

Grower, d 22-35 Dry matter, g/kg 915 915 925 920 915

Gross energy, kcal/kg 4410 4436 4439 4446 4441


Ash, g/kg 80 95 96 94 75

Ca, g/kg 11.7 8.61 8.78 11.2 9.70

Total P, g/kg 6.20 6.00 6.00 6.11 6.00

Crude fat, g/kg 65 70 60 70 55

Crude fibre, g/kg 30 30 35 35 35 1NC = Negative control, PC = Positive control.

Table 4: Performance of broilers fed experimental diets.

Parameters1

Growth period Diet2 Body weight gain,

g/chick

Feed intake,

g/chick

Dry matter intake,

g/chick

FCR Gain: Feed,

g/kg/chick

Starter, 0 -21 d NC 601c 1006d 926d 1.71 569

PC 681a 1187a 1072a 1.74 631

NC + Probiotic 651b 1058c 963c 1.57 671

NC + Toxin binder 665b 1079c 973c 1.70 614

NC + Probiotic + Toxin binder 667b 1108b 1020b 1.73 600

SEM 14.5 34.9 31.3 0.08 31.0

P-value 0.0381 0.037 0.0295 0.6758 0.2531

Grower, 22-35 d NC 1065 1621 1484 1.51 651

PC 1248 1800 1647 1.29 883

NC + Probiotic 1238 1909 1816 1.55 715

NC + Toxin binder 1223 1757 1617 1.56 696

NC + Probiotic + Toxin binder 1224 1794 1663 1.61 702

SEM 48.4 85.2 82.5 0.11 79.4

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1375 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2015, 5(7): 1369-1379

P-value 0.0893 0.2603 0.1357 0.3323 0.3318

0-35 d NC 1666 2627 2410 1.59 634c

PC 1929 2987 2719 1.46 646b

NC + Probiotic 1889 2967 2779 1.56 637c

NC + Toxin binder 1888 2836 2590 1.61 666a

NC + Probiotic + Toxin binder 1891 2902 2683 1.69 652a

SEM 63.6 93.8 87.6 0.07 28.2

P-value 0.1775 0.156 0.1625 0.3656 0.0471 1Values are means of 6 replicate pens of 8 birds each. 2NC = Negative Control, PC = Positive Control. a, b: Means in column in each growth period with different superscripts are significantly different at P < 0.05.

Table 5: Organ weight (g/100 g BW) and gut morphology of birds fed experimental diets.

Diet1,2

Item NC PC NC + Probiotic NC + Toxin binder NC + Probiotic + Toxin binder SEM P-value

Heart 0.42 0.45 0.41 0.47 0.49 0.025 0.1895

Spleen 0.08 0.11 0.10 0.11 0.12 0.009 0.1151

Liver 2.10 2.11 2.34 2.33 2.30 0.095 0.3054

Bursa of Fabricius 0.11 0.13 0.11 0.14 0.13 0.017 0.8061

Pancreas 0.19b 0.22ab 0.24ab 0.27a 0.24ab 0.010 0.0002

Gizzard 2.96 2.94 3.03 3.10 3.05 0.186 0.9791

Villus height, mm 2.47c 3.97a 4.33a 3.34b 3.21b 0.332 0.0508

Villus width, mm 0.41 0.50 0.37 0.49 0.46 0.054 0.4479

Crypt depth, mm 0.19b 0.27ab 0.32a 0.33a 0.27ab 0.027 0.0436

Villus height:crypt depth 13.0 14.7 13.5 10.4 11.5 1.738 0.0898 1Values are mean of 6 replicates of 1 bird each. 2NC = Negative Control, PC = Positive Control. a, b, c: Means in same row but with different superscripts are significantly different at P < 0.05.


1376 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2015, 5(7): 1369-1379

Table 6: Microflora count (CFU) and digesta pH in birds on experimental diets.

Diet1,2

Microflora count3 Gut section NC PC NC + Probiotic NC + Toxin binder NC + Probiotic + Toxin binder SEM P-value

TBC Duodenum 2.66 2.67 1.16 1.68 2.44 0.58 0.2861

Ileum 2.31 2.31 3.06 3.02 3.49 0.88 0.8471

Colon 5.60 3.35 3.14 5.32 5.01 1.70 0.7679

Caecum 4.42 4.17 4.28 2.94 5.59 1.26 0.6959

Coliform Duodenum 7.75a 0.31b 0.56b 1.51b 1.57b 0.04 0.0001

Ileum 3.27a 0.44b 0.65b 0.66b 0.66b 0.06 0.0450

Colon 8.05 1.50 1.32 2.74 2.51 1.89 0.1102

Caecum 3.26a 1.60b 0.77b 0.62b 1.16b 0.59 0.0303

LAB Duodenum 1.27 2.08 0.78 1.43 1.45 0.61 0.6815

Ileum 1.02c 4.11b 10.1a 2.64b 3.52b 2.25 0.0279

Colon 1.88 1.41 1.58 1.95 2.01 0.54 0.9383

Caecum 4.31a 2.80b 2.99b 1.77b 6.82a 1.22 0.0564

pH Ileal digesta 5.93 6.12 5.43 5.98 5.85 0.437 0.8411 a, b, c: Means within column are significantly (P<0.05) different. 1NC = Negative control, PC = Positive control. 2Values are means of 6 replicate pens of 2 birds each. 3TBC = Total bacterial count, LAB = Lactic acid bacteria.

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1377 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2015, 5(7): 1369-1379

This finding is similar to that of Mohan et al.,

(1996) who found that supplementation of

probiotics had no effect on weight of internal

organs. The pancreas, which plays an essential role

in digestion and regulation of blood sugar, contains

pancreatic juices that bring about its enlargement

for efficient digestion processes of fats,

carbohydrates and proteins. Therefore, mycotoxin

binder is seen to aid in the digestion of nutrients by

systemic removal of toxic metabolites and increased

production of pancreatic juices essential for

digestion of available nutrients in diets. The villus

height and crypt depth of birds fed NC+PB and

NC+MB, respectively were improved. Although,

the efficacy of probiotics in improving intestinal

morphology have well been documented, results of

this study have also shown that mycotoxin binder

can improve intestinal morphology by improving

the crypt depth for improved absorption of

nutrients. The mechanism for this could be through

reduction or prevention of mycotoxin absorption

across the digestive tracts. Increasing the villus

height suggests an increased surface area capable of

greater absorption of available nutrients (Caspary,

1992). Pelicano et al., (2005) asserted that

pathogens cause disturbance in the normal

microflora and intestinal epithelium thereby

facilitating invasion and impairment in the ability to

digest and absorb nutrients, consequently

decreasing villus height. Therefore, once these

pathogens had been significantly reduced, villus

height increases leading to increase in digestive and

absorptive activities. This agrees with the findings

of Markovic et al., (2009). Agboola et al., (2014)

also reported an increased villus height with

probiotic and synbiotic inclusion in the diets of

turkey poults.

The villus crypt is considered as the villus

factory and deeper crypts indicate fast tissue

turnover to permit renewal of the villus as needed in

response to normal sloughing or inflammation from

pathogens or their toxins and high demands for

tissue (Yason et al., 1987). A shortening of the villi

and deeper crypts may lead to poor nutrient

absorption, increased secretion in the

gastrointestinal tract, and lower performance (Xu et

al., 2003). The PC and NC+PB diets resulted in a

reduced coliform count (Table 6). In the Ileum and

caecum, there were no differences in the coliform

count in birds fed the other dietary treatments

except for the NC diet, which caused a significant

increase in coliform load in these sections. The

results of the present study have shown that

throughout the rearing phase, mycotoxin binder and

probiotic supplemented diets or a mixture of both in

diet can replace antibiotic in the diet of broilers.

Watkins et al., (1982); Owens et al., (2008) and

Agboola et al., (2014) also reported similar results

for broiler chicks and turkey poults respectively.

In the ileum, a significant increase in LAB

count was observed in birds fed NC+PB. At the

grower period, an ideal intestinal microflora has

been established. A synergy was noticed with a

mixture with probiotics and mycotoxin binder in

reducing unbeneficial microorganisms, while

favouring the proliferation of beneficial micro-

organism (mainly LAB). A possible explanation in

the increase of LAB counts could be the growth of

other epiphytic LAB due to the probiotic

supplementation of the diet. Savage (1972) reported

that the removal of potential pathogens from the

intestinal tract of growing animals may provide a

more favorable environment for the digestion,

absorption, and metabolism of growth-enhancing

nutrients. This is in agreement with the reports of

Howard et al., (1993), Choi et al., (1994) and Iji

and Tivey (1998).

There were no significant differences in the pH

of ileal digesta of birds fed the various dietary

treatments (Table 6), indicating that the probiotic

and mycotoxin binder supplementation had no

significant effect on ileal digesta pH over antibiotic.

Nevertheless, the digesta pH value of birds on the

PB supplemented diet (5.43) was lower than values

obtained in other diets The result of the present

study was similar to the observations of WGO

(2008) and Agboola et al., (2014).

Conclusion

From this study, it can be concluded that the

use of probiotics and toxin binder as alternative to

antibiotics can improve performance of broilers

especially in the first 3 weeks of life and control

growth of entheropathogenic bacteria. Although, the

efficacy of probiotics in improving intestinal

morphology have well been documented, results of


1378 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2015, 5(7): 1369-1379

this study have also showed that mycotoxin binder

improves intestinal morphology by improving the

crypt depth for improved absorption of nutrients

through reduction or prevention of mycotoxin

absorption across the digestive tracts. The use of

probiotics and mycotoxin binder, as replacement for

antibiotics require a period of time for an ideal

intestinal microflora establishment and biochemical

processes of active binding.

Acknowledgement

The editorial assistance of Mr I. Popoola is

hereby acknowledged.

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