Influence of Enzyme Supplementation in the Diets of Broiler Chickens Formulated with Different Corn Hybrids Dried at Various Temperatures

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The use of exogenous enzymes is a common nutrition strategy of the poultry industry. However, the influence of this additive on the microbiota and its efficiency when the diets are formulated with different hybrids of corn dried under high temperature are still unclear. From a practical point of view, evaluating the mode of action of enzymes in different situations is crucial to ensure competitive performance results with low production costs. The current study confirmed that regardless of corn hybrids and drying temperature, dietary supplementation with amylase, xylanase, and protease was beneficial for intestinal morphology and allowed a modulation of the cecal microbiota. This influence may have changed the digestive process and use of nutrients by the broilers, resulting in better animal performance. ABSTRACT: We evaluated the influence of enzymatic supplementation on the growth performance and cecal microbiota of broilers. A total of 2160 1-day-old male chicks were used in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (three corn hybrids, two drying temperatures −80 and 110 °C, with or without the inclusion of an enzymatic blend (amylase, xylanase, and protease) (20 birds/pen, n = 9). For all performance and digestibility parameters, we observed, in general, isolated effects of the corn hybrids and drying temperature. Birds that received the enzymatic blend in the diet showed better weight gain from 1 to 21 days (d) and better digestibility coefficients of nutrients at 42 d. Birds fed diets with corn dried at 80 °C showed a better feed conversion ratio from 1 to 42 d. At 21 d of age, enzymatic supplementation had positive effects on jejunum morphology. Enzyme supplementation increased the abundance of the phylum Tenericutes, class Bacilli and Mollicutes, reduced Clostridia, and increased the abundances of the families Lactobacillaceae, Anaeroplasmataceae, and O_RF39;F. In conclusion, the addition of amylase, xylanase, and protease led to a better nutrient digestibility, performance, and intestinal morphology. In addition, enzyme supplementation changed the diversity, composition, and predicted function of the cecal microbiota at d 21.