Microbial Diversity and Community Variation in the Intestines of Layer Chickens

Abstract

The intestinal microbiota is increasingly recognized as an important component of host health, metabolism and immunity. Early gut colonizers are pivotal in the establishment of microbial community structures affecting the health and growth performance of chickens. White Lohmann layer is a common commercial breed. Therefore, this breed was selected to study the pattern of changes of microbiota with age. In this study, the duodenum, caecum and colorectum contents of white Lohmann layer chickens from same environment control farm were collected and analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing to explore the spatial and temporal variations in intestinal microbiota. The results showed that the diversity of the microbial community structure in the duodenum, caecum and colorectum increased with age and tended to be stable when the layer chickens reached 50 days of age and the distinct succession patterns of the intestinal microbiota between the duodenum and large intestine (caecum and colorectum). On day 0, the diversity of microbes in the duodenum was higher than that in the caecum and colorectum, but the compositions of intestinal microbes were relatively similar, with facultative anaerobic Proteobacteria as the main microbes. However, the relative abundance of facultative anaerobic bacteria (Escherichia) gradually decreased and was replaced by anaerobic bacteria (Bacteroides and Ruminococcaceae). By day 50, the structure of intestinal microbes had gradually become stable, and Lactobacillus was the dominant bacteria in the duodenum (41.1%). The compositions of dominant microbes in the caecum and colorectum were more complex, but there were certain similarities. Bacteroides, Odoribacter and Clostridiales vadin BB60 group were dominant. The results of this study provide evidence that time and spatial factors are important factors affecting the intestinal microbiota composition. This study provides new knowledge of the intestinal microbiota colonization pattern of layer chickens in early life to improve the intestinal health of layer chickens.

Intestinal Microbiota and Host Cooperate for Adaptation as a Hologenome

“…In addition, we found that while Bacteroides , Prevotella , Faecalibacterium , and Ruminococcus were the predominant genera in ceca, their presence was rarer in other intestinal segments. Similar findings were reported in studies performed in commercial broilers ( 17 ) and layers ( 18 , 20 ). Bacteroides spp.…”

“…The microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract have an important function in improving food absorption and boosting the immune system, thus influencing both host development and health ( 15 , 16 ). Recent studies reported that the chicken microbiome varies in different intestinal segments ( 17 – 20 ). The most densely inhabited microbial community within the chicken intestine was observed in the ceca, a pair of blind-ended sacs that open at the junction between the small and large intestine ( 21 ).…”

“…The most densely inhabited microbial community within the chicken intestine was observed in the ceca, a pair of blind-ended sacs that open at the junction between the small and large intestine ( 21 ). The ceca has an essential role in nutrition via the production of short-chain fatty acids, nitrogen recycling, and amino acid production, influencing both the health and development of chickens ( 20 , 22 ). In the present study, the structures and composition of intestinal microbiota distributed in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, ceca, and colon from HWS and LWS chickens were investigated.…”

Effect of dietary direct-fed microbial and yeast cell walls on cecal digesta microbiota of layer chicks inoculated with nalidixic acid resistant Salmonella Enteritidis

“…This high SE colonization result is likely due to the immaturity of the intestinal microbiota and immune system in 8-day-old chicks. The is less microbial diversity in younger chickens compared with older chicken ( Cui et al., 2017 ) and diversity of bacterial species in cecal contents of layer chicks drastically increased between d 0 to 24 ( Xiao et al., 2021 ). In this trial, significant increase of bacterial species diversity was only confirmed in DY at 14 dpi.…”

Changes in Blood Metabolites, Intestinal Microbiota Composition and Gene Expression of 95 Weeks Old Laying Hens Differing in Egg Production and Egg Breaking Strength

“…Maintaining egg shell thickness requires adequate levels of calcium in the feed, and the ability to take up the calcium. It has been suggested that the microbiota composition also may promote the intestinal absorption of calcium and support competitive exclusion of harmful bacteria [ 38 ]. Thus, it seems a likely assumption that the BS-Hi hens, which were able to maintain a high breaking strength at an age of 92 weeks, were better equipped to absorb calcium from the feed in the gut than the BS-Lo hens.…”