Gut microbiota in two chickens' breeds: Characteristics and dynamic changes

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Animal Science
• Poultry Genetics

Background:

• The gut microbiota is crucial for host immunity, metabolism, digestion, and growth.
• Research on the gut microbiota of Tibetan chickens is limited compared to other poultry breeds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare the gut microbial characteristics of Tibetan chickens and Arbor Acres broiler chickens.
• To identify differences in gut microbial structure and composition between the two breeds.

Main Methods:

• Cecal samples were collected from 10 Tibetan chickens and 10 Arbor Acres broiler chickens.
• Amplicon sequencing was employed to analyze the gut microbial communities.
• Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) was used to visualize and compare microbial structures.

Main Results:

• Tibetan chickens demonstrated significantly higher gut microbial diversity and abundance than Arbor Acres broiler chickens.
• Distinct gut microbial structures were observed between the two chicken breeds.
• While dominant phyla were similar, significant shifts in the abundance of specific bacterial genera were identified, with 876 genera increasing and 160 decreasing in Tibetan chickens.

Conclusions:

• There are significant differences in the gut microbiota composition and structure between Tibetan chickens and Arbor Acres broiler chickens.
• This study provides foundational data on Tibetan chicken gut microbiome, crucial for understanding their environmental adaptability.
• Findings may support the sustainable development of the Tibetan chicken industry.