16S rRNA gene sequencing reveals effects of photoperiod on cecal microbiota of broiler roosters

Abstract

Photoperiod is an important factor in stimulating broiler performance in commercial poultry practice. However, the mechanism by which photoperiod affects the performance of broiler chickens has not been adequately explored. The current study evaluated the effects of three different photoperiod regimes (short day (LD) = 8 h light, control (CTR) = 12.5 h light, and long day (SD) = 16 h light) on the cecal microbiota of broiler roosters by sequencing bacterial 16S rRNA genes. At the phylum level, the dominant bacteria were Firmicutes (CTR: 68%, SD: 69%, LD: 67%) and Bacteroidetes (CTR: 25%, SD: 26%, and LD: 28%). There was a greater abundance of Proteobacteria (p < 0.01) and Cyanobacteria (p < 0.05) in chickens in the LD group than in those in the CTR group. A significantly greater abundance of Actinobacteria was observed in CTR chickens than in SD and LD chickens (p < 0.01). The abundance of Deferribacteres was significantly higher in LD chickens than in SD chickens (p < 0.01). Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria were more abundant in SD chickens than in CTR and LD chickens. The predicted functional properties indicate that cellular processes may be influenced by photoperiod. Conversely, carbohydrate metabolism was enhanced in CTR chickens as compared to that in SD and LD chickens. The current results indicate that different photoperiod regimes may influence the abundance of specific bacterial populations and then contribute to differences in the functional properties of gut microbiota of broiler roosters.

Fast and Slow-Growing Management Systems: Characterisation of Broiler Caecal Microbiota Development throughout the Growing Period

“…In fact, knowing the main microbiota composition during the growing period and how management practices could influence its modulation could help quick decisions be taken at farm level [ 46 , 47 ]. In this sense, it might be interesting to consider microbiota composition as a biomarker of poultry health and productive performance [ 7 , 9 , 48 ]. It is well demonstrated that a greater complexity of the gut microbiota is observed as animals grow [ 49 , 50 , 51 ].…”

Microbiota, Gut Health and Chicken Productivity: What Is the Connection?

“…The influence of some of these factors on productive performance of broiler chickens has been widely studied [38], but there are still few studies that analyze these relationships based on the composition and diversity of the intestinal microbiota. Among the most relevant farm management factors, stand out the production system, particularly the choice of alternative production systems with access to range [4,39,40]; the hygiene and biosecurity programs, the protocols and criteria used to define the time of feed access, feed processing, and feeding programs [41,42,43], the protocols and criteria used to define the vaccination schemes, therapeutic medication and rotation of the antibiotic growth promoters throughout the year, factors associated with the stress and welfare of the birds, such as the stocking density [44,45], duration of photoperiod [46,47], ventilation and ammonia concentration in the air [48,49] and heat-stress [50,51]. It is clear that management decisions define the microbiota in the environment that surrounds the birds and therefore the intestinal microbiota, but more studies are needed under commercial conditions to determine the key points that contribute to maintaining a healthy intestinal microbiota and maximize chicken productivity.…”

Photoperiod modulates the gut microbiome and aggressive behavior in Siberian hamsters

“…Past studies suggest that there may be sex differences in the gut microbiome's response to photoperiod, though to varying degrees (Bailey et al, 2010;Davenport et al, 2014;Hieke et al, 2019;Wang et al, 2018). In the current study, photoperiod differentially affected bacterial diversity and the relative abundance of bacteria in the male and female gut, further suggesting that the gut microbiome may play a role in sex-specific seasonal changes.…”

“…In addition, other studies suggest that the gut microbiome changes on a seasonal basis. For example, chickens and mice exhibit seasonal shifts in the gut microbiome (Cui et al, 2016;Hieke et al, 2019;Wang et al, 2018). Further, body mass correlates with the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Citrobacter and Firmicutes in LD male Siberian hamsters (Bailey et al, 2010).…”