Chicken jejunal microbiota improves growth performance by mitigating intestinal inflammation

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Intestinal inflammation negatively impacts chicken growth and causes economic losses.
• A link exists between gut microbiota composition and chicken growth performance.
• The role of gut microbiota in mitigating chicken intestinal inflammation is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of gut microbiota on chicken growth performance.
• To determine if gut microbiota influences chicken growth by reducing intestinal inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of gut microbiota and jejunal inflammation markers between high and low body weight chickens.
• 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify bacterial species.
• Measurement of serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels.
• Analysis of inflammatory gene expression (TLR4, NF-κB, MyD88, cytokines) in the jejunum.
• Fecal microbiota transplantation from high body weight chickens to chicks.

Main Results:

• High body weight chickens had higher levels of beneficial Gram-positive bacteria (e.g., Lactobacilli).
• Low body weight chickens exhibited higher levels of Gram-negative bacteria and increased serum LPS.
• Upregulated expression of inflammatory markers (TLR4, NF-κB, MyD88) and cytokines was observed in the jejunum of low body weight chickens, indicating gut barrier damage.
• Fecal microbiota transplantation improved jejunal microbiota, reduced inflammation, and enhanced growth performance in recipient chicks.

Conclusions:

• Jejunal microbiota composition plays a crucial role in chicken growth performance.
• Modulating gut microbiota can mitigate intestinal inflammation and improve chicken growth.
• Targeting gut microbiota presents a potential strategy to enhance chicken productivity.