Effects of a probiotic on the lipid metabolism of cocks fed on a cholesterol-enriched diet.

The effects of a probiotic (a mixture of Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Clostridium, Saccharomyces and Candida) on the lipid metabolism, and caecal flora and metabolites of cocks were studied. The cholesterol level of the liver and serum was significantly decreased in the cocks fed on the cholesterol-enriched diet containing the probiotic. The distribution and frequency of occurrence of flora, and the chemical characteristics of the metabolites in the caecal content of the cocks were also affected by the inclusion of the probiotic in the basal and cholesterol-enriched diets. The Enterobacteriaceae species were significantly decreased in number, while the Bacillus, Streptococcus, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species were significantly increased. The presence of yeast was observed, and the ammonia level was significantly reduced. The pH value, however, was not affected. The concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the caecal content of the cocks fed on the cholesterol-enriched diet supplemented with the probiotic was increased. It is, therefore, suggested that the incorporation of a probiotic in the diet would improve the balance of the intestinal flora and metabolites. Furthermore, it would also suppress the serum and liver cholesterol levels of cocks fed on the cholesterol-enriched diet.