Effects of a butirate based prebiotic on the cecal microbi

The effects of prebiotic preparation Butifor-F (based on calcium butirate) on the qualitative and quantitative composition of cecal microbiota and cecal expression of disease resistance related genes in laying hens (cross Lohmann Brown) were studied. It was found that the prebiotic (750 ppm) significantly (P<0.05) increased in compare to control cecal concentration of the bacterial species from phylum Actinobacteria (3.5-fold) including order Bifidobacteriales (2.7-fold) and from family Lactobacillaceae (by 135%); the decrease in the total percentage of pathogenic and other undesirable geni by 44% was also found. The substantial decreases in the expression of certain disease resistance related genes in the ceca of the prebiotic-fed hens in compare to control were detected: expression of genes of β-defensin-9 and gallinacin-10 decreased 1.5-fold, interleukin-8 1.3-fold, and proenkephalin 1.9-fold. The conclusion on the beneficial effect of the prebiotic on the cecal microbiota and immune system in laying hens was made.