Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026

Strategies to Enhance Cultivation of Anaerobic Bacteria from Gastrointestinal Tract of Chicken
Published on: May 10, 2024
Ileal microbiota composition of broilers fed various commercial diet compositions
E van der Hoeven-Hangoor1, J M B M van der Vossen, F H J Schuren
1Cargill Animal Nutrition, Veilingweg 23, NL-5334 LD Velddriel, the Netherlands;
Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) in broiler chicken diets significantly altered ileal microbiota, suppressing beneficial bacteria while promoting harmful ones. Other dietary changes had minimal impact on gut bacteria or excreta moisture.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Microbiology
- Poultry Nutrition
Background:
- Gut microbiota influences nutrient absorption and digesta composition in broiler chickens.
- Dietary ingredients can modulate the gut microbial ecosystem and excreta characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of five distinct diets, varying in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), non-starch polysaccharides, and starch, on broiler ileal digesta microbiota composition.
- To assess the effects of these diets on excreta dry matter (DM) content in broiler chickens.
Main Methods:
- Ross 308 broilers were fed five experimental diets from 0 to 34 days of age.
- Ileal digesta microbiota composition was analyzed using a novel ribosomal RNA microarray technology.
- Excreta dry matter content and growth performance were also measured.
Main Results:
- Diets supplemented with medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) improved feed efficiency.
- MCFA-rich diets led to a significant shift in ileal microbiota, suppressing Gram-positive bacteria (Firmicutes, Lactobacillus) and promoting Gram-negative bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae).
- Other dietary variations had minimal effects on microbiota composition and no significant effect on excreta DM content.
Conclusions:
- Dietary inclusion of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) significantly alters the ileal microbiota composition in broiler chickens.
- The observed changes in microbiota composition with MCFA supplementation warrant further investigation into their functional implications.
- Other tested dietary ingredients had a limited impact on gut microbiota and excreta characteristics in this study.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Microbiota of the Large Intestine
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine
Development of Human Microbiota
Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota

