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Lactobacillus elicits a 'Marmite effect' on the chicken cecal microbiome
Angela Zou1,2, Shayan Sharif3, John Parkinson1,2,4
1Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Center for Research and Learning, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4 Canada.
NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes
|November 21, 2018
Summary
Researchers are seeking alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in poultry. A meta-analysis identified key gut bacteria, including Lactobacillus, that could form effective microbial consortia for improved poultry health.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Microbiome Research
- Poultry Production
Background:
- Antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) are widely used in the poultry industry for efficiency and infection control.
- There is a global push to eliminate AGPs, necessitating the development of novel alternatives.
- Synthetic microbial communities are being explored to establish beneficial gut microbiomes in poultry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify keystone microbial taxa in poultry ceca that can be leveraged for probiotic development.
- To provide a framework for creating microbial consortia as alternatives to AGPs.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing data from 1572 cecal microbiomes across 19 studies.
- Analysis of experimental biases to ensure robust findings.
- Network community analysis to identify stable taxonomic associations and interactions.
Main Results:
- Antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) exposure was associated with reduced gut microbiome diversity.
- Network analysis revealed stable clusters of co-occurring taxa within the cecal microbiome.
- Lactobacillus species demonstrated a significant polarizing effect, with both positive and negative interactions with other taxa.
Conclusions:
- The study identified stable taxonomic associations crucial for developing effective microbial consortia.
- Lactobacillus plays a key role in shaping the poultry cecal microbiome.
- These findings offer a foundation for creating novel probiotic strategies to replace AGPs in poultry production.