@article {74, title = {Modulation of Chicken Cecal Microbiota by a Phytogenic Feed Additive, Stodi{\textregistered}: A Metagenomic Analysis}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {August 2019}, pages = {201-209}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {201}, abstract = {

Background: The cecal microbiota plays a critical role in gut health and utilization of nutrients left undigested in the small intestine. Objective: The impact of Stodi{\textregistered} on the composition of cecal microbiota was evaluated in broilers using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. Materials and Methods: A total of 960 1-day-old Ross 308 chicks were allocated to four groups, namely, normal diet (ND), negative control (NTC; challenged with 1.7\% magnesium chloride [MgCl2]), and Stodi{\textregistered} treatment groups which comprise NTC plus Stodi{\textregistered} (500 and 750 g/ton of feed). MgCl2 was used to increase the cecal moisture content, and in turn, to disturb the cecal microbiota. Results: Birds challenged with MgCl2 exhibited poor performance traits as compared to ND group, whereas the supplementation of Stodi{\textregistered} (500 and 750 g/ton) improved the performance of broilers. MgCl2 did not produce a notable change in the microbiota, but supplementation of Stodi{\textregistered} (500 and 750 g/ton) produced a statistically significant shift in the microflora in comparison with ND. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio was significantly elevated in comparison to ND. The abundance of energy harvesting bacteria belonging to specific families of Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae were increased by Stodi{\textregistered} supplementation, especially at 500 g/ton of feed. Conclusion: The supplementation of Stodi{\textregistered} was effective in modulating the cecal microbial population in a manner conducive for gut health and performance of broilers, as revealed by the increase in abundance of favorable microflora.

}, keywords = {Cecal microbiota, Gut health, Magnesium chloride, Metagenome, Stodi{\textregistered}.}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_8_19}, author = {Saravana Kumar Marimuthu, and Brindhalakshmi Balasubramanian and Ramasamy Selvam and Prashanth D{\textquoteright}Souza} } @article {210, title = {Alleviation of Heat Stress by a Polyherbal Formulation, Phytocee{\texttrademark}: Impact on Zootechnical Parameters, Cloacal Temperature, and Stress Markers}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {February 2018}, pages = {1-8}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {1}, abstract = {

Background: The range of thermoneutral zone of chickens is narrow, and they become easily susceptible to environmental stress, a common and major concern for poultry causing a production loss. Objective: The present study was designed to comparatively evaluate anti-stress activity of Phytocee{\texttrademark} and Vitamin C in chickens reared under heat stress. Materials and Methods: A total of 600-day-old chicks of Cobb 400 were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 6 replicates comprising 25 birds each (n = 150). G1 served as a normal control (NC) and supplemented with Vitamin C at 100 g/ton of feed. G2 served as a heat stress control (HSC), subjected to heat stress (34{\textdegree}C{\textendash}36{\textdegree}C) without Vitamin C supplementation. G3 and G4 served as positive control and treatment group (TC), subjected to heat stress and supplemented with Vitamin C and Phytocee{\texttrademark} at 100 g/ton of feed, respectively. The impact on zootechnical parameters and cloacal temperature was assessed at regular intervals, and blood was collected at the end of the experiment for evaluation of stress parameters, namely heterophil lymphocyte ratio (H:L ratio) and serum corticosterone. Results: Exposure of chickens to heat stress caused a significant decrease in body weight, worsening of feed conversion ratio, higher mortality, and poor production efficiency. Moreover, serum corticosterone level, H:L ratio, and cloacal temperature were significantly increased in HSC as compared to NC. However, supplementation of Phytocee{\texttrademark} in feed significantly ameliorated the negative impact of heat stress in broiler birds. Conclusion: The supplementation of Phytocee{\texttrademark} demonstrated an anti-stress effect in chickens through restoration of serum corticosterone level, H:L ratio, and thermoregulatory mechanism.

}, keywords = {Anti-stress, Corticosterone, Heat stress, Heterophil lymphocyte ratio, Phytocee{\texttrademark}, Poultry}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_138_17}, author = {Ramasamy Selvam and Subramaniyam Suresh and Marimuthu Saravanakumar and C. V. Chandrasekaran and D{\textquoteright}Souza Prashanth} }