Ferenczi Szilamér, Juhász Balázs, Végi Barbara, Drobnyák Árpád, Horváth Krisztina, Kuti Dániel, Bata-Vidács Ildikó, Plank Patrik, Molnár Zsófia, Szőke Zsuzsanna, Kovács Krisztina J
Laboratory of Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Research Network, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Microbiology and Applied Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gödöllő, Hungary.
Laboratory of Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Research Network, Budapest, Hungary.
Poult Sci. 2025 Apr 5;104(7):105141. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.105141.
Probiotics are widely used in poultry farming and industry, as they offer numerous health and performance benefits for birds. Probiotic Lactobacilli maintain gut microbiota balance, aid nutrient utilization, boost the immune system, increase stress resistance and serve as antibiotic alternatives. However, their impact on male reproductive function is not yet fully understood. This study investigated the effect of a novel probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SNI3 (LbSNI3), on the reproductive performance of roosters. Twenty adult roosters were used. LbSNI3 was administered orally (dose: 2 × 10 CFU/animal/day) for 7 weeks to half of the animals. Control birds (10) received sterile tap water vehicle. Ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, number of IPVL penetration holes and testosterone plasma concentration have been measured weekly. Testis weight, dimensions and histology have been determined at the end of the experiment. mRNA levels of select genes, involved in spermatogenesis and sperm motility, oxidative and steroid synthesis have been measured in the testis samples by qRT-PCR. Total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also analyzed. LbSNI3 administration increased the ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and the number of penetration holes, resulting in a significant improvement in the reproductivity index. In contrast, testosterone levels were not statistically different in control versus LbSNI3-treated groups. At the end of the experiment, testis size, the area, and the lumen of seminiferous tubuli were increased in LbSNI3-treated roosters. The testicular expression of Gpx1, Sepw1, Dio2, Birc5 and Rec8 genes was elevated following oral administration of LbSNI3. Total antioxidant activity, SOD activity significantly increased, while MDA concentration decreased, indicating enhanced antioxidant capacity in the testis. LbSNI3 produces a bacterial metabolite, γ-glutamyl-glutamate, which enters the glutathione cycle and strengthens the testicular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. In conclusion, oral administration of probiotic LbSNI3 enhances antioxidant defense mechanisms in the testis, leading to increased reproductive index in adult roosters. This effect may be mediated through the gut-testis axis and could be utilized to improve productivity in the livestock industry.
益生菌在养禽业和家禽产业中被广泛使用，因为它们对禽类的健康和生产性能有诸多益处。益生菌乳酸杆菌可维持肠道微生物群平衡，有助于营养物质的利用，增强免疫系统，提高应激抵抗力，并可作为抗生素的替代品。然而，它们对雄性生殖功能的影响尚未完全明确。本研究调查了一种新型益生菌菌株——植物乳杆菌SNI3（LbSNI3）对公鸡生殖性能的影响。使用了20只成年公鸡。将LbSNI3以口服方式（剂量：2×10 CFU/只/天）给予一半的动物，持续7周。对照组（10只）给予无菌自来水。每周测量射精量、精子浓度、精子活力、精卵体外受精穿透孔数量和血浆睾酮浓度。在实验结束时测定睾丸重量、尺寸和组织学。通过qRT-PCR测定睾丸样本中参与精子发生、精子活力、氧化和类固醇合成的选定基因的mRNA水平。还分析了总抗氧化能力、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）酶活性和丙二醛（MDA）水平。给予LbSNI3可增加射精量、精子浓度和穿透孔数量，从而显著提高生殖指数。相比之下，对照组和LbSNI3处理组的睾酮水平在统计学上无差异。在实验结束时，LbSNI3处理的公鸡睾丸大小、曲细精管面积和管腔均增大。口服LbSNI3后，睾丸中Gpx1、Sepw1、Dio2、Birc5和Rec8基因的表达升高。总抗氧化活性、SOD活性显著增加，而MDA浓度降低，表明睾丸的抗氧化能力增强。LbSNI3产生一种细菌代谢产物γ-谷氨酰-谷氨酸，它进入谷胱甘肽循环并加强睾丸对抗氧化应激的防御机制。总之，口服益生菌LbSNI3可增强睾丸的抗氧化防御机制，导致成年公鸡生殖指数增加。这种作用可能通过肠-睾轴介导，可用于提高畜牧业的生产力。
