METHODS OF IMPROVING DESIRABLE TRAITS IN FOWL
The disclosure relates to methods for decreasing feed conversion ratios in fowl through administering isolated microorganisms to the fowl. In particular aspects, the disclosure provides methods of decreasing feed conversion ratios in fowl through administration of a Bacillus sp. to the fowl. The disclosure further relates to isolated microorganisms and compositions comprising the same.
1 .- 20 . (canceled)
21 . A composition comprising one or more isolated Lactobacillus reuteri strains, wherein the one or more isolated Lactobacillus reuteri strains comprise a 16S nucleic acid sequence with at least 95% sequence identity to a 16S nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 19, 22, 36, 49, 366, 367, and 375-379.
22 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the one or more isolated Lactobacillus reuteri strains comprise a 16S nucleic acid sequence with at least 96% sequence identity to a 16S nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 19, 22, 36, 49, 366, 367, and 375-379.
23 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the one or more isolated Lactobacillus reuteri strains comprise a 16S nucleic acid sequence with at least 97% sequence identity to a 16S nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 19, 22, 36, 49, 366, 367, and 375-379.
24 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the one or more isolated Lactobacillus reuteri strains comprise a 16S nucleic acid sequence with at least 98% sequence identity to a 16S nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 19, 22, 36, 49, 366, 367, and 375-379.
25 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the one or more isolated Lactobacillus reuteri strains comprise a 16S nucleic acid sequence with at least 99% sequence identity to a 16S nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 19, 22, 36, 49, 366, 367, and 375-379.
26 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the one or more isolated Lactobacillus reuteri strains comprise a 16S nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 19, 22, 36, 49, 366, 367, and 375-379.
27 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the composition comprises two isolated Lactobacillus reuteri strains.
28 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the composition comprises a prebiotic.
29 . The composition of claim 28 , wherein the prebiotic is a galacto-oligosaccharide.
30 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the one or more isolated Lactobacillus reuteri strains produce one or more volatile fatty acids or short chain fatty acids.
31 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the composition is formulated as an animal feed, feed additive, food ingredient, water additive, water-mixed additive, consumable solution, consumable spray additive, consumable solid, consumable gel, injection, or combinations thereof.
32 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the composition is an animal feed.
33 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the one or more isolated Lactobacillus reuteri strains is present in the composition in an amount of at least 10 2 total microbial cells per gram of the composition.
34 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the one or more isolated Lactobacillus reuteri strains is present in the composition in an amount of at least 10 4 total microbial cells per gram of the composition.
35 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the composition increases animal health or performance when an effective amount is administered to an animal as compared to an animal not administered the composition.
36 . The composition of claim 35 , wherein the animal is a fowl or poultry.
37 . The composition of claim 35 , wherein the animal is poultry and the increase in poultry health or performance comprises at least one of: a decrease in feed conversion ratio, an increase in weight, a decrease in pathogen-associated lesion formation in the gastrointestinal tract, a decrease in colonization of pathogens, and a decrease in mortality rate.
38 . The composition of claim 37 , wherein the pathogen comprises at least one of: Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma meleagridis, Mycoplasma synoviae, Pasteurella multocida, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium colinum, Clostridium botulinum, Salmonella typi, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enterica, Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella gallinarum, Hemophilus gallinarum, Erysipelothrix insidiosa, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter lari, Listeria monocytogenes, Arcobacter butzleri, Mycobacterium avium , and pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
39 . A method of increasing animal health or performance, the method comprising: administering to an animal an effective amount of the composition of claim 21 .
40 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the animal is a fowl or poultry.
41 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the animal is poultry and the increase in poultry health or performance comprises at least one of: a decrease in feed conversion ratio, an increase in weight, a decrease in pathogen-associated lesion formation in the gastrointestinal tract, a decrease in colonization of pathogens, and a decrease in mortality rate.
42 . A method of preventing or treating necrotic enteritis in a fowl or poultry by administering to the fowl or poultry the composition of claim 21 .