Phenomenological and mechanistic insights into potential dietary nucleotide – probiotic synergies in layer chickens: A review

Despite their growing popularity as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs), the individual effects of nucleotides and probiotics on poultry gut functionality remain poorly understood. In addition, inconsistent outcomes are quite common in studies where these two additives have been used...

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Main Authors: Siphosethu R. Dibakoane, Godfrey Mhlongo, Ghaneshree Moonsamy, Obiro Cuthbert Wokadala, Caven Mguvane Mnisi, Victor Mlambo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-05-01
Series:Poultry Science
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579125002883
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author Siphosethu R. Dibakoane
Godfrey Mhlongo
Ghaneshree Moonsamy
Obiro Cuthbert Wokadala
Caven Mguvane Mnisi
Victor Mlambo
author_facet Siphosethu R. Dibakoane
Godfrey Mhlongo
Ghaneshree Moonsamy
Obiro Cuthbert Wokadala
Caven Mguvane Mnisi
Victor Mlambo
author_sort Siphosethu R. Dibakoane
collection DOAJ
description Despite their growing popularity as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs), the individual effects of nucleotides and probiotics on poultry gut functionality remain poorly understood. In addition, inconsistent outcomes are quite common in studies where these two additives have been used separately to modify gut function and related parameters in birds. These inconsistencies, which have limited the potential of probiotics and nucleotides as AGP replacements, stem from various factors and need to be addressed. Combining probiotics and nucleotides could potentially enhance their effectiveness and lead to more consistent outcomes in layer chickens. Since their mechanisms of action complement each other, some level of synergy is expected when used together. Both additives have been shown to support gut health, boost immune function, and improve performance in chickens when used individually. However, no studies have investigated the possible synergistic effects of nucleotides and probiotics in poultry. This review makes the case for combined use of probiotics and nucleotides in layer chickens by providing phenomenological and mechanistic insights into hypothetical synergistic effects. This paper highlights the need for AGP alternatives and reviews studies on the effects and mechanisms of probiotics and nucleotides in layer chickens when used individually. We then propose potential mechanisms for their synergistic effects on gut health, performance, and egg quality based on logical deductions from observed biological responses. These proposed mechanisms are hypothetical and require experimental validation. Finally, the review explores how this synergy could lead to more consistent outcomes and enhance the feasibility of AGP-free egg production.
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spelling doaj-art-d317530562f94b6ca2f560d8b754ec702025-08-20T02:31:00ZengElsevierPoultry Science0032-57912025-05-01104510504910.1016/j.psj.2025.105049Phenomenological and mechanistic insights into potential dietary nucleotide – probiotic synergies in layer chickens: A reviewSiphosethu R. Dibakoane0Godfrey Mhlongo1Ghaneshree Moonsamy2Obiro Cuthbert Wokadala3Caven Mguvane Mnisi4Victor Mlambo5School of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit 1200, South AfricaSchool of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit 1200, South AfricaCouncil for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Future production: Chemicals, Meiring Naude Drive, Pretoria 0081, South AfricaSchool of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit 1200, South AfricaDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng 2735, South Africa; Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng 2735, South AfricaSchool of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa; Corresponding author.Despite their growing popularity as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs), the individual effects of nucleotides and probiotics on poultry gut functionality remain poorly understood. In addition, inconsistent outcomes are quite common in studies where these two additives have been used separately to modify gut function and related parameters in birds. These inconsistencies, which have limited the potential of probiotics and nucleotides as AGP replacements, stem from various factors and need to be addressed. Combining probiotics and nucleotides could potentially enhance their effectiveness and lead to more consistent outcomes in layer chickens. Since their mechanisms of action complement each other, some level of synergy is expected when used together. Both additives have been shown to support gut health, boost immune function, and improve performance in chickens when used individually. However, no studies have investigated the possible synergistic effects of nucleotides and probiotics in poultry. This review makes the case for combined use of probiotics and nucleotides in layer chickens by providing phenomenological and mechanistic insights into hypothetical synergistic effects. This paper highlights the need for AGP alternatives and reviews studies on the effects and mechanisms of probiotics and nucleotides in layer chickens when used individually. We then propose potential mechanisms for their synergistic effects on gut health, performance, and egg quality based on logical deductions from observed biological responses. These proposed mechanisms are hypothetical and require experimental validation. Finally, the review explores how this synergy could lead to more consistent outcomes and enhance the feasibility of AGP-free egg production.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579125002883Gut functionProbioticSynergismEgg qualityDietary nucleotide
spellingShingle Siphosethu R. Dibakoane
Godfrey Mhlongo
Ghaneshree Moonsamy
Obiro Cuthbert Wokadala
Caven Mguvane Mnisi
Victor Mlambo
Phenomenological and mechanistic insights into potential dietary nucleotide – probiotic synergies in layer chickens: A review
Poultry Science
Gut function
Probiotic
Synergism
Egg quality
Dietary nucleotide
title Phenomenological and mechanistic insights into potential dietary nucleotide – probiotic synergies in layer chickens: A review
title_full Phenomenological and mechanistic insights into potential dietary nucleotide – probiotic synergies in layer chickens: A review
title_fullStr Phenomenological and mechanistic insights into potential dietary nucleotide – probiotic synergies in layer chickens: A review
title_full_unstemmed Phenomenological and mechanistic insights into potential dietary nucleotide – probiotic synergies in layer chickens: A review
title_short Phenomenological and mechanistic insights into potential dietary nucleotide – probiotic synergies in layer chickens: A review
title_sort phenomenological and mechanistic insights into potential dietary nucleotide probiotic synergies in layer chickens a review
topic Gut function
Probiotic
Synergism
Egg quality
Dietary nucleotide
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579125002883
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