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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Renewable Product Technology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #264697
Title: The effect of a galactoglucomannan-arabinoxylan complex on Eimeria acervulina infection in broiler chicks

Author
item FABER, T - University Of Illinois
item DILGER, R - University Of Illinois
item HOPKINS, A - Templeinland Corporation
item Price, Neil
item FABEY, JR., G - University Of Illinois

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/14/2011
Publication Date: 7/14/2011
Citation: Faber, T.A., Dilger, R.N., Hopkins, A.C., Price, N.P., Fabey, Jr., G.C. 2011. The effect of a galactoglucomannan-arabinoxylan complex on Eimeria acervulina infection in broiler chicks [abstract]. American Society of Animal Sciences. p. 2.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Fermentable carbohydrates enhance the gastrointestinal tract’s ability to defend itself against a pathogenic infection. It was hypothesized that a galactoglucomannan-arabinoxylan (GGM-AX) complex high in mannose would positively impact the immune status of the intestinal tract and prevent weight loss due to an acute coccidiosis (Eimeria acervulina) infection. Commercial broiler chicks (n=160) were assigned to one of eight treatments in a completely randomized design. Chicks were either sham-inoculated with distilled water or inoculated with Eimeria acervulina (1x106 oocysts) and fed one of four diets, each containing a different concentration of supplemental GGM-AX (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4%) that replaced dietary cellulose. All birds were euthanized on d 7 post-inoculation and cecal contents and duodenal tissues were collected. On d 7, infected birds fed the 0% GGM-AX treatment had a greater (P < 0.03) body weight than infected birds fed 1 or 2% GGM-AX. Coccidial infection decreased (P = 0.01) individual feed intake; however, dietary treatment did not impact individual feed intake (P = 0.69). Cecal pH was greater (P < 0.01) in infected birds as compared to uninfected birds. As dietary GGM-AX increased, cecal pH linearly (P = 0.001) decreased, regardless of infection status. Coccidial infection increased (P < 0.02) cecal propionate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations, but not acetate concentrations (P = 0.28) as compared to uninfected birds. As dietary GGM-AX supplementation increased, cecal propionate concentrations decreased (P < 0.01). Acetate, butyrate, and total SCFA concentrations were not affected (P = 0.48) by GGM-AX supplementation. Dietary GGM-AX did affect interferon, interleukin (IL)-6, or IL-15 expression. An interaction between infection and diet (P = 0.02) affected duodenal IL-12ß and IL-1ß expression. Based on these data, GGM-AX supplementation does not appear to impact the effects of an acute Eimeria acervulina infection in broiler chicks.