Volume 8 Number 1 2025
Probiotics as Natural sources of Poultry Gut Health: A Systematic Review on Microbial Balance, Immunity, and Sustainable Production
Moftiful Islam 1*, Mahi Rubayia Islam 1, Nur E Ahad 1, Khalid Hossain Zihad 1, Nishat Islam Borni 1, Jahanara Abdul Hannan 1, Rashfinur Yesmen 1, Aysha Sultana 1, Fabiha Ibnath 1, Maisha Fahmida Mila 1, Redwana Jannat 1, Tahmid Anas 1
Microbial Bioactives 8 (1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/microbbioacts.8110418
Submitted: 24 February 2025 Revised: 30 April 2025 Accepted: 08 May 2025 Published: 10 May 2025
Abstract
Gut health lies at the heart of poultry well-being, influencing everything from digestion and nutrient absorption to immunity and disease resistance. Yet, in modern intensive farming, the widespread use of antibiotics, overcrowded conditions, and management stressors often disrupt this delicate ecosystem, leading to microbial imbalance, reduced productivity, and the spread of antibiotic resistance. This systematic review explores how probiotics—beneficial live microorganisms—can restore and sustain gut balance while enhancing overall poultry performance. Drawing on recent experimental and applied research, the review examines key probiotic genera such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacillus, and Enterococcus, revealing their diverse mechanisms of action. These include reinforcing gut barrier integrity, competing with harmful pathogens, producing antimicrobial metabolites, and regulating immune responses through cytokine modulation and increased secretory IgA production. Structural improvements in the intestinal lining, such as greater villus height and mucin secretion, further promote nutrient uptake and digestive efficiency. Collectively, the findings indicate that probiotics not only boost growth rates and feed efficiency but also reduce the incidence of common enteric diseases like necrotic enteritis and salmonellosis. Beyond performance benefits, probiotic use aligns with global calls for antibiotic-free, sustainable livestock production. By fostering microbial harmony and supporting immune resilience, probiotics emerge as a natural, eco-friendly cornerstone for the next generation of poultry farming.
Keywords: Probiotics, Poultry Gut Health, Microbial Balance, Antibiotic Alternatives, Immune Modulation, Sustainable Farming
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