Dietary administration of Bacillus subtilisKC1 improves growth performance, immune response, heat stress tolerance, and disease resistance of broiler chickens

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the probiotic properties of Bacillus subtilisKC1 as a feed additive in the poultry feed. Effects of the Bacillus subtilissupplementation on growth performance, heat-stress tolerance, resistance to Mycoplasma gallisepticum(MG) and SalmonellaPullorum challenge of broilers were determined. The protective effects of the Bacillus subtilison liver function and immune response of broilers challenged with Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were also scrutinized. The results showed that the Bacillus subtilissupplementation could improve growth performance, increased body weight, relative weight of the immune organ and dressing percentage, and decrease feed conversion ratio. In addition, the Bacillus subtilissupplementation alleviated adverse effects caused by heat stress, MG, and SalmonellaPullorum challenge. Furthermore, the Bacillus subtilissupplementation resulted in improved liver function and enhanced immune response of broilers challenged with AFB1. In conclusion, these results suggested a tremendous potential of Bacillus subtilisKC1 as a feed additive in the poultry feed.