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ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » Livestock Behavior Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #384871
Research Project: Protecting the Welfare of Food Producing Animals

Location: Livestock Behavior Research

Title: Effects of Bacillus subtilis on production performance, bone physiological property and hematology indexes in laying hens

Author
item JIANG, SHA - Southwest University
item ZHANG, MI - Southwest University
item HU, HAIQIANG - Southwest University
item WU, XIAOLING - Southwest University
item LIU, JIANZHU - Southwest University
item JLN, MEILAN - Southwest University
item Cheng, Heng-Wei

Submitted to: Animals
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/6/2021
Publication Date: 7/8/2021
Citation: Jiang, S., Zhang, M., Hu, H., Wu, X., Liu, J., Jln, M., Cheng, H. 2021. Effects of Bacillus subtilis on production performance, bone physiological property and hematology indexes in laying hens. Animals. 11(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11072041.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11072041

Interpretive Summary: Laying hens are at great risk for developing osteoporosis due to breeding for high egg production. Developing an effective feed additive that reduces bone damage and associated pain and economic loss has become a critical issue affecting the poultry industry. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Bacillus subtilis as a feed supplement on production performance and bone health of laying hens. The results showed that Bacillus subtilis increases marketable eggs, protects bone health, changes the distribution of phosphorus between blood and bone and increases plasma concentration of estrogen but decreasing inflammatory factors. The results indicate that Bacillus subtilis can be used as a dietary supplement to increase marketable egg production and bone health of laying hens by increasing the concentrations of production-related hormones and inhibiting gut and systemic inflammation. The findings provide insights for egg producers and poultry scientists to develop management strategies for improving hen health and welfare.

Technical Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Bacillus subtilis on production performance and bone pathophysiological characteristics of laying hens. Twenty-four 48-week-old White Plymouth laying hens were randomly divided into two groups: a basic diet (control) and the basic diet mixed with Bacillus subtilis (0.5 g/Kg) for a 60-day trial. The results showed Bacillus subtilis supplement improved the percent of marketable eggs (P < 0.05) and reduced the numbers of broken and soft shelled eggs but had no effects on egg weight, height of albumen, yolk color, and haugh unit (P>0.05). Bacillus subtilis supplement also elevated femoral maximum load (P = 0.06), maximum stress (P = 0.01), stiffness (P < 0.01), and Young’s modulus (P < 0.01) but suppressed maximum strain (P = 0.06). In addition, compared with control birds, phosphorous concentration (P < 0.01) was reduced in serum but increased in the femur (P < 0.05) in Bacillus subtilis fed birds. Bacillus subtilis fed birds also had lower magnesium concentrations in both femur (P = 0.04) and feces (P = 0.09). Furthermore, Bacillus subtilis increased plasma estrogen concentration (P = 0.01) and femur TNF receptor superfamily member 11b expression (P < 0.05) but reduced interleukin -1 (P < 0.01) and tumor necrosis factor -a (P < 0.01) concentrations. These results indicate that Bacillus subtilis could be used as a health promoter to reduce breeding for egg production-induced chronic low-grade inflammation and associated bone damage, leading to increased marketable egg production. The data provides evidence for developing a management strategy to use Bacillus subtilis as a feed additive to improve marketable egg production and health of laying hens.