PSV-19 - Supplementation of a multi-strain probiotic increases the expression of biomarkers of immunity in Savannah x Spanish goat blood

Abstract: Probiotics are considered a safe, non-chemical alternative to antibiotics and have been shown to boost the host immune response of livestock. The present study investigated the effect of Gut Candy (GC), a multi-strain probiotic supplementation, on immune gene expression in Spanish X Savannah goats. Seven adult female Spanish X Savannah goats (n=7) received a daily dose (28g) of a GC (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus subtilis, Propioni bacterium freudenreichii, and Aspergillus oryza) for 60 days. The control group received no probiotics (n=7). Blood (10 ml) was collected aseptically from the jugular vein on days 0 and 60. Total RNA was extracted from whole blood, reverse transcribed to cDNA, and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was performed using specific primers for TLR2, TLR4, TNF-α, IL1B, IL10, and MPO. The fold changes (FC) in relative gene abundance were analyzed using Livak's method. β-actin and GAPDH were used as internal controls and for normalization. Fold changes (FC) were considered significant at -2≥FC≥2. After 60 days of GC supplementation, there was an increase in fold change in relative gene abundance in IL10 (FC=3.66), TNF-α (FC=11.7), IL1β (FC=19.59), TLR4 (FC=5.09), and MPO (FC=2.05). GC also tended to increase the FC of TLR 2(FC= 1.86). The results from the study demonstrate that probiotic supplementation modulates the expression of immune genes in goats. Incorporating probiotics supplementation into the feed regimen of livestock could be beneficial to the animals' health and overall performance.