Researchers in the Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (FRI, CAAS) have demonstrated that dietary supplementation of the probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BA) CGMCC18230 improves broiler bone health similar to supplementation of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs). This study provides a new strategy for the application of probiotics in efficient and healthy breeding of broilers. Relevant results were published in Poultry Science.

Bone health of broiler chickens is essential for welfare and production. The roles of probiotics in bone development and health are being delineated, which include an ability to reduce the incidence of lameness, and modulate bone mineralisation. BA is a probiotic species that has been extensively used in the animal feed industry. A component of BA’s mode of action is the secretion of multiple extracellular enzymes and antibacterial substances, such as phytase. Therefore, the current study evaluated the impact of BA and AGPs on tibia development of broiler chicken. This study shows that dietary supplementation of BA CGMCC18320 improves bone health similar to supplementation of an AGPs through up-regulation of intestinal P transporters, microbial modulation and increase P retention. The results of this study provide an important theoretical basis for BA improving bone health of broilers and has important significance for the ecological breeding of broilers chickens.

The research was supported by Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System (No. CARS-41). The study can be accessed by the following link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2022.102126.

By Zheng Aijuan (zhengaijuan@caas.cn)