title: Effects of Dietary Bacillus licheniformis on Gut Physical Barrier, Immunity, and Reproductive Hormones of Laying Hens.
abstract: Previous study showed that dietary Bacillus licheniformis (B. licheniformis) administration contributes to the improvement of laying performance and egg quality in laying hens. In this study, we aimed to further evaluate its underlying mechanisms. Three hundred sixty Hy-Line Variety W-36 hens (28 weeks of age) were randomized into four groups, each group with six replications (n = 15). The control group received the basal diet and the treatment groups received the same basal diets supplemented with 0.01, 0.03, and 0.06% B. licheniformis powder (2 × 1010cfu/g) for an 8-week trial. The results demonstrate that B. licheniformis significantly enhance the intestinal barrier functions via decreasing gut permeability, promoting mucin-2 transcription, and regulating inflammatory cytokines. The systemic immunity of layers in B. licheniformis treatment groups is improved through modulating the specific and non-specific immunity. In addition, gene expressions of hormone receptors, including estrogen receptor α, estrogen receptor β, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor, are also regulated by B. licheniformis. Meanwhile, compared with the control, B. licheniformis significantly increase gonadotropin-releasing hormone level, but markedly reduce ghrelin and inhibin secretions. Overall, our data suggest that dietary inclusion of B. licheniformis can improve the intestinal barrier function and systemic immunity and regulate reproductive hormone secretions, which contribute to better laying performance and egg quality of hens.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Molecular Feed Sciences, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Sciences, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Molecular Feed Sciences, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Sciences, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Molecular Feed Sciences, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Sciences, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Molecular Feed Sciences, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Sciences, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
authors.forename: Baikui
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Molecular Feed Sciences, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Sciences, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
authors.forename: Yuanyuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhejiang A & F University, Lin'an, China.
authors.forename: Yingshan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Molecular Feed Sciences, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Sciences, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China. wfli@zju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Weifen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D000069976:Bacillus licheniformis / Q000502:physiology*; D002645:Chickens; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007109:Immunity; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D055262:Mucin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D055262:Mucin-2; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
keywords: Bacillus licheniformis; Hormone; Immunity; Intestinal barrier function