Combination of Lactobacillus species and yeast ameliorates adverse effect of deoxynivalenol contaminated diet on immune system, gut morphology and jejunal gene expression in broiler chickens

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different levels of Lactobacillus species and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a toxin binder in deoxynivalenol (DON) diet on immune parameters, gut morphology and jejunal gene expression in broiler chickens. Three hundred sixty-one-day-old female broilers were assigned into nine treatments with four replicates each in a completely randomised design (3 x 3 factorial arrangement) including three levels of Lactobacillus (0, 0.20 and 0.40 g/kg) and yeast (0, 0.75 and 1.50 g/kg) in DON contaminated diets. The results showed that DON challenged birds showed suppressed spleen relative weight and reduced white blood cell and lymphocyte percentage, while inclusion the highest level of Lactobacillus sp. and yeast to DON diet improved these parameters (p < .05). Newcastle antibody titre was increased (p < .05) by increasing the level of Lactobacillus sp. and yeast in DON included diet. Increasing the level of Lactobacillus sp. and yeast in DON diet was linearly enhanced (p < .05) the villus height, muscular layer and absorptive surface area in ileum. Combination of 0.40 g/kg Lactobacillus sp. and 1.50 g/kg yeast caused an enhancement (p < .05) in mucosa and muscular layer thicknesses of jejunum and ileum, respectively. The expressions of toll like receptor-4 and claudin-5 were down-regulated and up-regulated respectively by administration of the highest level of Lactobacillus sp. and yeast. In conclusion, the results indicated that dietary inclusion of the highest level of Lactobacillus sp. and yeast improved the spleen weight, some immunological parameters, villus height, muscular layer thickness and gene expressions in DON- challenged broilers. HIGHLIGHTS Deoxynivalenol (DON) consumption (10 mg/kg) induce intestinal and immunological changes in broilers. Combination of Lactobacillus sp. and yeast reduce DON toxicity. Inclusion 0.4 g/kg lactobacillus and 1.5 g/kg yeast improve villus height and humoral immunity.

Automated summary

This study showed that the inclusion of Lactobacillus species and yeast in DON-contaminated diets improved immune parameters, gut morphology, and gene expressions in broiler chickens. The highest levels of Lactobacillus and yeast led to enhanced spleen weight, immune responses, villus height, and gene expressions in broilers challenged with DON.