Table 3. Effects on intestinal microbial populations (log10 CFU/gm of intestinal content) of control, probiotics and AGP groups (Mean ± SEM) in Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).
|
Parameters |
|
|
Group (Mean ± SEM) |
F-value |
Polynomial Contrast |
|||
|
Control |
Probiotics 0.015gm/Bird |
Probiotics 0.03gm/Bird |
Probiotics 0.045gm/Bird |
AGP |
|
Linear |
Quadric |
|
|
E. coli |
6.400a±0.093 |
6.232a±0.160 |
5.160b±0.224 |
5.870a±0.263 |
5.149b±0.198 |
8.93** |
0.007 |
0.036 |
|
Salmonella spp |
5.569a±0.043 |
5.457a±0.138 |
4.440b±0.154 |
5.395a±0.066 |
4.330b±0.223 |
18.30** |
0.005 |
0.001 |
|
Staphylococcus spp |
3.872a±0.215 |
3.557ab±0.065 |
2.923c±0.209 |
3.375b±0.057 |
2.810c±0.122 |
8.69** |
0.006 |
0.023 |
|
TBC |
8.365a±0.222 |
7.949ab±0.199 |
6.972c±0.237 |
7.490b±0.227 |
6.512c±0.147 |
12.61** |
0.002 |
0.048 |
Significant differences were determined using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with Duncan’s multiple range tests. The orthogonal polynomial contrast test was considered to ascertain the linear and quadratic effects of increasing probiotics supplementation (gm) in diets on each parameter. Differences compared to control and treated groups are ** Significant at 1% (p<0.01); Figures in the row with similar alphabet (a,b,c) do not differ significantly. CFU= Colony forming units, NS= non-significant, gm= Gram, kg= Kilogram, cm= Centimetre.