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Colonization of Cecal Mucosal Epithelium in Chicks Treated with a Continuous Flow Culture of 29 Characterized

R E Droleskey1, D E Corrier1, D J Nisbet1

  • 1U.S. Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service, 2881 F&B Road. Food Animal Protection Research Laboratory. 2881 F&B Road, College Station, Texas 77845 USA.

Journal of Food Protection
|May 30, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Administering a continuous-flow (CF) bacterial culture to chicks promotes extensive cecal colonization. This enhanced gut microbiota increases volatile fatty acids and resistance to Salmonella typhimurium infection.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Poultry Science
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Early-life gut microbiota establishment is crucial for poultry health.
  • Understanding bacterial colonization patterns informs strategies for disease resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the colonization of cecal mucosa by a defined continuous-flow (CF) bacterial culture in newly hatched chicks.
  • To assess the impact of this CF culture on the cecal environment and resistance to Salmonella.

Main Methods:

  • Scanning electron microscopy was used to visualize bacterial colonization in chick ceca.
  • Chicks were inoculated with a characterized CF culture of 29 microorganisms on the day of hatch.
  • Cecal contents were analyzed for volatile fatty acid concentrations.

Main Results:

  • Extensive bacterial colonization of the cecal mucosa, particularly within crypts, was observed in CF-treated chicks.
  • Control chicks showed minimal bacterial presence and sparse mucus in their cecal crypts.
  • CF culture colonization correlated with increased cecal volatile fatty acids and enhanced resistance to Salmonella typhimurium.

Conclusions:

  • A defined CF bacterial culture effectively colonizes the chick cecum.
  • Early-life colonization with this CF culture modulates the cecal environment and confers resistance to enteric pathogens like Salmonella.
Keywords:
ChicksSEMcecal mucosum

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