Oxidative and Epigenetic Changes and Gut Permeability Response in Early-Treated Chickens with Antibiotic or Probiotic.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the use of enrofloxacin and a probiotic containing and strains in the first week of life of chickens on oxidative and epigenetic changes in molecules and intestinal integrity. The three treatments were as follows: the control group received no additive in the drinking water (GC); the second group (GP) received a probiotic preparation in the drinking water during the first five days of life, providing strain 4a1713 at 1.0 × 10 CFU/L water and 4b1822 at 1.0 × 10 CFU/L water, the third group (GA) received an antibiotic (enrofloxacin 0.5 mL/L water) in the drinking water during the first five days of life. The use of both enrofloxacin and a probiotic containing and strains in chickens' first week of life improved intestinal integrity and reduced inflammation and oxidative and epigenetic changes in the small intestine. This effect was evident both at 6 days of age and at the end of the rearing period.