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Probiotic application to hatching egg surface supports microbiota development and acquisition in broiler embryos and
Mairui Gao1, Yuying Ren1, Si Lu1
1Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, 17, Manter Road, Unit 4040, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
Insights
Applying probiotics to hatching eggs via spray enhances hatchling gut microbiota and supports immune development. This method promotes beneficial bacteria, improving nutrient metabolism and post-hatch growth in poultry.
Area of Science:
- Poultry Science
- Microbiology
- Animal Nutrition
Background:
- Hatchlings in modern poultry production rely on hatchery environments for initial gut microbiota, often leading to delayed acquisition and reduced diversity.
- A healthy gut microbiota is essential for normal immune system development and gut function in neonate and hatchling poultry.
- Developing strategies to promote healthy microbiota acquisition in hatchlings is critical for poultry health and productivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of probiotic spray application to hatching eggs for supporting microbiota acquisition in hatchlings.
- To determine the impact of specific probiotic strains, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (LR) and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (LP), on embryonic and hatchling gut microbial communities.
Main Methods:
- 100 Ross 308 hatching eggs were sprayed with either phosphate-buffered saline (control) or probiotics (LR or LP) during incubation.
- Samples of eggshells, chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), embryonic intestine, and hatchling gut (cecal and ileal) were collected at various embryonic days and at hatch.
- Microbiota characterization was performed using sequencing, with additional predictive and functional profile analyses.
Main Results:
- Probiotic spray application of LP and LR significantly modulated the microbiota on eggshells, CAM, embryonic intestine, and in the hatchling gut.
- The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) was identified as a significant source of microbiota for the hatchling gut.
- Probiotic treatment enriched Lactobacillus populations and beneficial taxa like Enterococcus in the hatchling gut, alongside enhanced nutrient and energy metabolism pathways.
Conclusions:
- In ovo spray application of probiotics to the egg surface is a viable strategy to enhance microbiota acquisition in poultry hatchlings.
- This approach supports not only embryo development but also contributes to improved post-hatch growth through enhanced gut microbial functions.
Abstract:
In modern poultry production, hatchlings primarily acquire their initial gut microbiota from the hatchery environment. This, in turn, results in delayed gut microbiota acquisition and a less diverse microbiota. However, the gut microbiota in the hatchling and the neonate is crucial for the normal development of the immune system and healthy gut function. Hence, promoting healthy microbiota development and acquisition in hatchlings is critical. To this end, we determined the potential for probiotic spray application to hatching eggs to support microbiota acquisition in the hatchling. A total of 100 hatching eggs (Ross 308) were either sprayed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; Control) or probiotics [∼9 log CFU/egg of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus NRRL B-442 (LR) or Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DUP 13076 (LP)] during incubation. Six eggs were sacrificed for sample collection at each sampling point. Eggshells were washed with sterile PBS buffer and collected at embryonic day (D) 0, 7, 14, 18, and 20. Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) was collected at D7, 14, 18, and 20, and intestine at D14, 18, and 20. At hatch, chicks were euthanized, and the cecal and ileal samples were collected for microbiota characterization. Results indicate that spray application of LP and LR significantly modulated the microbiota associated with the eggshell, CAM, embryonic intestine, and hatchling gut. Further predictive analysis revealed CAM to be a significant source for the microbiota associated with the hatchling gut. Also, application of LP and LR led to significant enrichment in Lactobacillus populations and potential probiotic taxa, including Enterococcus, in the hatchling gut. Moreover, functional profile analysis revealed that microbial communities associated with the hatchling gut microbiota in the probiotic groups were enriched for nutrient and energy metabolism, which could not only support embryo development but also post-hatch growth. In conclusion, in ovo spray application of probiotics to the egg's surface can be a potential approach to support microbiota acquisition in hatchlings.
