Gut microbiota profile, potential engineering techniques and its genetic and epigenetic implications in poultry...

Poultry-derived meat and eggs represent economically viable and nutritionally rich resources for the burgeoning global population. The engineering of the gut microbiota has demonstrated potential in enhancing poultry health by establishing a homeostatic milieu and refining immune responses, optimizing metabolic pathways, and augmenting the physiological responses and structural integrity of the involved organs. The processes of fermentation, nutrient uptake, and absorption, alongside their optimized utilization by the host, are governed by complex interactions within the functional population of the gut microbiota. Microbiota influences these responses through the synthesis of distinct microbial metabolites, especially in the form of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which affect host gene expression through both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. The widespread use of antibiotic growth promoters disrupts the composition and function of the gut microbiota, resulting in adverse effects on host health and long-term sustainability. These concerns underscore the urgent need to develop alternative, safer, and more organic methodologies for sustainable poultry production. In addition, we examine the bidirectional influence of the host on the modulation of the gut microbiota in hope of future personalized treatments. The engineering of gut microbiota by various means is a viable alternative to antibiotic growth promoters, having been shown to significantly enhance both the quality and quantity of eggs and meat within the poultry industry.