Response of broiler chickens to dietary different yeast cell wall components challenged with Salmonella typhimurium

This study assessed the impact of dietary prebiotic supplementation on broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium. In experiment I, the treatments consisted of control (K) [without supplementation]; supplemented with 0.565% autolyzed whole yeast cell (W); supplemented with 0.125% autolyzed whole yeast cell (WP); supplemented with 0.565% enzymatically removed yeast cell wall (CELL) and supplemented with 0.2% pure Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) + β-glucan (MB). The second experiment, the Salmonella Typhimurium challenge was performed on day 7 post-hatch. Birds in the CELL group in Experiment I exhibited higher final body weight and weight gain (P = 0.001). On day 21, jejunum villus height (VH) was lower in the MB group, while jejunum crypt depth (CD) was lower in the WP and K groups (P < 0.05). The W group had the lowest VH and CD in the ileum (P < 0.05). At day 35, jejunal villus health was unaffected by prebiotic supplementation, but the CELL group showed the highest VH and CD in the ileum (P < 0.05). Gene expression analysis revealed significant differences in claudin, IL-1β, and IL-10 expressions. In experiment II, the CELL group exhibits the highest final live body weight and weight gain (P < 0.05). Intestinal histology varied among groups and time points. Gene expression analysis indicated upregulation of claudin and occludin in certain groups, while IL-1β was upregulated in all groups and IL-10 showed varied expressions. In conclusion, prebiotic supplementation, particularly yeast cell wall, positively influenced broiler performance, intestinal histology, and gene expression related to the intestinal barrier.