Utilizing Flaxseed as an Antimicrobial Alternative in Chickens: Integrative Review for <i>Salmonella enterica</i> and <i>Eimeria</i>
This review provides an integrative framework for understanding flaxseed (<i>Linum utassitissimum</i>) as an antimicrobial alternative for poultry production. We begin by familiarizing the reader with the global legislation of antibiotics in animal husbandry; highlighting gaps and curren...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Current Issues in Molecular Biology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/46/11/732 |
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| Summary: | This review provides an integrative framework for understanding flaxseed (<i>Linum utassitissimum</i>) as an antimicrobial alternative for poultry production. We begin by familiarizing the reader with the global legislation of antibiotics in animal husbandry; highlighting gaps and current issues for <i>Salmonella enterica</i> (<i>S. enterica</i>) and <i>Eimeria</i> (coccidiosis-inducing). We then discuss the natural, symbiotic characteristics of the Galliformes order (chicken-like birds) and <i>Linum</i> (the flaxes). The key immunological themes in this review include: (i) flaxseed’s regulation of innate and adaptive immunity in chickens, (ii) flaxseed’s ability to accelerate chicken recovery from infection with <i>S. enterica</i> and <i>Eimeria</i>, and (iii) flaxseed’s strengthening of immunity via vitamin B6 antagonism. Research indicates that whole flaxseed increases adaptive immune capacity by augmenting cecal Bacteroides and short-chain fatty acids while also attenuating the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio in chickens. Moreover, flaxseed accelerates chicken recovery from infection with <i>Salmonella</i> Enteritidis or <i>Eimeria tenella</i>; however, future work is needed to better understand (i) defatted flaxseed’s superior performance against <i>Eimeria</i> species and (ii) <i>Eimeria maxima</i>’s resilience against whole flaxseed. In the context of vitamin B6 antagonism, we propose that 15% whole flaxseed overcomes <i>S. enterica’s</i> insult to estrogen synthesis by sustaining the activity of phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase (PEMT) in liver. We also propose that 10% defatted flaxseed (as a metformin homologue) strengthens chicken immunity by safeguarding gonadal physiology and by increasing plasma thymidine bioavailability. The concepts in this review can be used as a template for conducting advanced immunological studies in poultry science. |
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| ISSN: | 1467-3037 1467-3045 |