New probiotic strain Lactobacillus fermentum AD1 and its effect in Japanese quail

Probiotics have been used with increasing frequency in nutrition and for prophylactic purposes during the last years. In the present study we investigated the effect of Lactobacillus fermentum AD1 – canine isolate on selected intestinal microbial groups, weight gain, organic acids, haematology, glutathione peroxidase and phagocytosis of leucocytes in 2-days-old Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). The results demonstrated that the 4-day application of this strain significantly increased the population of lactic acid bacteria – lactobacilli and enterococci in faeces (P < 0.01 and/or P < 0.001) and caecum of quail (P < 0.001) and significantly decreased the counts of E. coli in faeces (P < 0.05). The daily weight gain was increased by 14%. Although intestinal pH of both groups of birds was similar, the concentration of lactic acid was significantly increased in the experimental group (P < 0.05). The concentration of other organic acids (acetic, acetoacetic, formic, succinic, valeric, propionic, butyric) as well as blood glutathione peroxidase was not influenced. The index of phagocytic activity of leucocytes was significantly improved (P < 0.01).