Cecal Microbiota Development and Physiological Responses of Broilers Following Early Life Microbial Inoculation Using...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Animal Science
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Intensive broiler production systems may limit exposure to beneficial commensal microbes.
• Restoring a natural gut microbiota is crucial for poultry health and productivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of microbial inocula and delivery methods on broiler chick cecal microbiota development.
• To assess the colonization potential of bacteria from different poultry production environments.
• To identify effective bacterial species and delivery strategies for gut microbial restoration.

Main Methods:

• Chicks were inoculated with cecal contents or microbial cultures using oral gavage, spray, or cohousing.
• Competitive colonization assays were performed using bacteria from intensive and extensive systems.
• Cecal microbiota composition, ileal morphology, short-chain fatty acids, and cytokine levels were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Inoculated birds showed increased phylogenetic diversity and Bacteroidetes abundance compared to controls.
• Cecal content inoculation led to altered ileal morphology and increased specific short-chain fatty acids and cytokines.
• Escherichia/Shigella abundance was reduced in inoculated birds, while specific intensive-system bacteria increased.

Conclusions:

• Alistipes, Bacteroides, Barnesiella, Mediterranea, Parabacteroides, Megamonas, and Phascolarctobacterium effectively colonize the broiler ceca.
• Oral gavage, spray, and cohousing are viable delivery methods for microbial transplantation.
• Findings support the development of next-generation probiotics for persistent colonization in chicken gut.