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

Abstract

Caecal microbiota and its modulation play an important role in poultry health, productivity and disease control. Moreover, due to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, society is pressing for a reduction in antibiotic administration by finding effective alternatives at farm level, such as less intensified production systems. Hence, the aim of this study was to characterise the caecal microbiota in two different broiler management systems, fast and slow-growing, using 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. To this end 576 broilers were reared in two different management systems (fast and slow-growing). Results showed that Firmicutes represented the dominant phylum for both systems. At the onset, Proteobacteria was the second prevalent phylum for fast and slow-growing breeds, outnumbering the Bacteroidetes. However, during the rest of the production cycle, Bacteroidetes was more abundant than Proteobacteria in both groups. Finally, regardless of the management system, the most predominant genera identified were Oscillospira spp., Ruminococcus spp., Coprococcus spp., Lactobacillus spp. and Bacteroides spp. In conclusion, fast and slow-growing broiler microbiota are in constant development throughout rearing, being relatively stable at 21 days of age. Regarding the genus, it should be noted that the three most abundant groups for both systems, Ruminococcus spp., Lactobacillus spp. and Bacteroides spp., are related to better productive performance and intestinal health.

Dietary free fatty acids complex with amylose creating another form of resistant starch: Gastrointestinal formation with fowl and swine

“…Essentially, this microbial population is initiated during early development with a consistent array of members being in place after food intake has been established ( Lu et al., 2003 ; Rehman et al., 2007 ). Montoro-Dasi et al. (2020) examined the cecal microbiota of broilers raised under 2 separate management systems that created a difference in live performance.…”

Assessment of Microbiota Modulation in Poultry to Combat Infectious Diseases

“…There were statistically significant differences in microbiota diversity between farm conditions at slaughter day (42 days of age), when OFC showed a high diversity level. It is well demonstrated that a greater complexity of the gut microbiota is observed as animals grow and that gut microbiota becomes relatively stable as of the mid-period [26,[41][42][43][44][45]. However, overcrowding and heat stress present at the end of the growing period usually induce oxidation alteration, which is closely related to intestinal barrier integrity, which is in turn related to gut microbiota [24,[46][47][48][49].…”

“…16S rRNA gene amplification and MiSeq sequencing was performed according to Montoro-Dasi et al [26].…”

“…At genus level, 58 taxa were identified, and all of them were present in both production conditions. However, we focused on the 25 genera present at an average relative abundance of more than 0.5% in at least one sample group [26][27][28][29][30].…”

Effects of Different Ambient Temperatures on Caecal Microbial Composition in Broilers

“…Gut microbes produce various essential metabolites that play vital roles in nutrient digestion, metabolism, and immunity modulation ( Hou et al 2016 ). Furthermore, caecal microbiota and its modulation are closely associated with poultry health, productivity, and disease control (Montoro- Dasi et al 2020 ). The environmental temperature could affect the composition of intestinal microbiota ( Wang et al 2018 ).…”