How Contaminants in Feed Affect Gut Bacteria

Greg Howard
4th March, 2025

How Contaminants in Feed Affect Gut Bacteria

The genus-level profiles show that mycotoxin exposure, particularly when combined with oxidized oil, alters intestinal microbiota composition primarily in the ileal content while the cecal content and whole cecum remain dominated by typical fermentative taxa, supporting the study’s conclusion that mycotoxins exert stronger modulatory effects on proximal gut microbiota than oxidized oil alone.

Photo adapted from: Kpodo et al. / CC0 1.0 (Source)

Key Findings

  • In Poland, researchers discovered that chicken feed contaminated with mycotoxins and oxidized oil changes the gut bacteria in broiler chickens
  • Good bacteria that help detoxify increased, but harmful bacteria linked to reduced chicken growth also rose
  • These results emphasize the need for improved feed strategies to maintain poultry health and productivity
Climate change and the shift towards alternative feed ingredients present new challenges for poultry production. Contaminants such as mycotoxins and oxidized oils can infiltrate chicken feed, potentially disrupting the intestinal health of broiler chickens. Understanding how these contaminants affect the gut microbiota is crucial for maintaining poultry health and productivity. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland[1], explored the combined effects of mycotoxin-contaminated corn and oxidized oil on the gut microbiota of broiler chickens. The research aimed to determine how these factors individually and together influence the bacterial communities in different sections of the intestine, specifically the ileum and cecum. In the study, broiler chickens were raised for 21 days and fed diets containing either regular or mycotoxin-contaminated corn alongside regular or oxidized oil. The mycotoxin contamination included significant levels of deoxynivalenol, aflatoxin, fumonisin, and zearalenone. The oxidized oil used had a peroxide value of 148 meq/kg, indicating high levels of oxidation. To analyze the effects, the researchers extracted bacterial genomic DNA from ileal and cecal samples and sequenced the 16S gene to identify and quantify the microbial populations. The findings revealed that both mycotoxins and oxidized oil, especially when combined, significantly altered the diversity and abundance of gut bacteria. Specifically, there was an increase in the richness and evenness of bacterial communities in the ileal content and an increase in evenness in the cecal content. Additionally, the presence of mycotoxins and their interaction with oxidized oil led to a higher beta diversity, indicating more variability in the microbial communities within the ileum. Notably, the study observed an increase in certain bacterial taxa such as Streptomyces and Escherichia-Shigella in the ileum. Streptomyces is known for its role in mycotoxin detoxification, which could help mitigate some of the negative effects of mycotoxins. On the other hand, an increase in Escherichia-Shigella is concerning as it has been associated with reduced weight gain in chickens. The metabolic pathways affected included those related to RNA and DNA synthesis, redox regulation, glycol metabolism, and amino acid degradation. This research builds on previous studies that have highlighted the impact of oxidative stress on poultry health. For instance, oxidative stress in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) can impair nutrient absorption and immune function, as discussed in a review highlighting the role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species[2]. Another study demonstrated that oxidized soybean oil in chicken diets negatively affected growth performance and increased oxidative stress markers in the plasma and jejunum[3]. Furthermore, supplementation with antioxidants like quercetin was shown to alleviate oxidative stress and improve intestinal barrier functions[4]. The current study extends these findings by showing that not only does oxidized oil impact oxidative stress and gut health, but when combined with mycotoxins, the effects on the gut microbiota become even more pronounced. This interaction suggests that climate-induced changes in feed quality could have compounded effects on poultry health, highlighting the need for multifaceted intervention strategies. Understanding these interactions is essential for developing effective feed formulations that mitigate the adverse effects of contaminants. Strategies may include the use of antioxidants to counteract oxidative stress, as well as probiotics or other supplements to maintain a healthy and balanced gut microbiota. The increase in beneficial bacteria like Streptomyces in response to mycotoxins also points to potential avenues for enhancing natural detoxification processes within the poultry gut. Overall, the study conducted by the University of Life Sciences in Lublin provides valuable insights into how environmental factors and feed contamination can interact to affect poultry health. By elucidating the changes in gut microbiota and associated metabolic pathways, this research lays the groundwork for developing targeted interventions to ensure the resilience and productivity of poultry in the face of changing environmental conditions.

BiochemAnimal ScienceMycology

References

Main Study

1) Modulating effects of mycotoxin and oxidized oil on intestinal microbiota in broiler chickens

Published 3rd March, 2025

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314821

Related Studies

2) Oxidative Stress in the Poultry Gut: Potential Challenges and Interventions.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00060

3) Consumption of Oxidized Soybean Oil Increased Intestinal Oxidative Stress and Affected Intestinal Immune Variables in Yellow-feathered Broilers.

https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.14.0924

4) Effects of dietary quercetin on the antioxidative status and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens fed with oxidized oil.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.06.028


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