The effect of low-protein soybean meals with graded inclusion levels of soyhull on nutrient utilization, cecal short-chain fatty acid profile, and jejunal gene expression in broiler chickens challenged with mixed Eimeria spp.

Authors: KASIREDDY, BHARGAVI - University Of Georgia; OLUSEYIFUNMI, IYABO - University Of Georgia; Shanmugasundaram, Revathi; Oladeinde, Adelumola; OLUKOSI, OLUYINKA - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: International Poultry Scientific Forum
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/27/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: Water-soluble fiber can act as a substrate for intestinal microbiota to synthesize short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), providing energy to intestinal cells, improving nutrient digestibility and shift the fermentation patterns, improving gut health. This 42-d study investigated the effects of standard soybean meal (SSBM, 464 g/kg crude protein) or low-protein SBM (LPSBM) on ileal nutrient digestibility, SCFA profile, relative mRNA expression of jejunal tight junction and nutrient transporters genes in broiler chickens challenged with mixed Eimeria spp. Three LPSBM were produced by adding soyhull (SH) to SSBM at 27, 55, or 86 g/kg rates to produce LPSBM1, 2, and 3, with 449, 437 and 417 g/kg crude protein, respectively. 1,056 male broilers were allocated to eight treatments in a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement. Factors were the four corn-based diets with challenge (CH) or without challenge (NCH). All diets were formulated to have the same levels of metabolizable energy, crude protein and standardized digestible amino acid. Ileal digesta were collected on d 14 and 21 to assess nutrient digestibility before and after 7 d post-Eimeria challenge. On d 21, cecal contents were analyzed for SCFA, and jejunal tissue for tight junction proteins and nutrient transporter genes. There were no significant Eimeria × diet interactions for nutrient digestibility on d 21 and no treatment effects were observed on d14. Eimeria CH significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the digestibility of N and amino acids except for Cys and Trp, which were not affected on d 21. The N digestibility was greater (P < 0.05) for SSBM and LPSBM2 than LPSBM3. There were no significant interaction or diet main effects for cecal SCFA; however, CH birds had significantly higher (p<0.05) cecal content of propionate, isobutyrate, isovalerate, and valerate. Furthermore, the CH birds had lower (P < 0.05) relative expression of Pep T1, BO+AT, EAAT3, GLUT1, and OCLDN genes compared to NCH groups. In conclusion, using LPSBM with 417 g/kg had a comparable effect to SSBM in terms of effects on profile of cecal microbial metabolites and nutrient utilization.