Microbiota Composition of Mucosa and Interactions between the Microbes of the Different Gut Segments Could Be a Factor to Modulate the Growth Rate of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The study reported here aimed to determine whether correlations can be found between the intestinal segment-related microbiota composition and the different growing intensities of broiler chickens. The bacterial community structures of three intestinal segments (jejunum chymus—JC, jejunum mucosa—JM, caecum chymus—CC) from broiler chickens with low body weight (LBW) and high body weight (HBW) were investigated. Similar to the previous results in most cases, significant differences were found in the bacteriota diversity and composition between the different sampling places. However, fewer body weight (BW)-related differences were detected. In the JM of the HBW birds, the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio (B/F) was also higher. At the genus level significant differences were observed between the BW groups in the relative abundance of Enterococcus, mainly in the JC; Bacteroides and Ruminococcaceae UCG-010, mainly in the JM; and Ruminococcaceae UCG-013, Negativibacillus, and Alistipes in the CC. These genera and others (e.g., Parabacteroides and Fournierella in the JM; Butyricoccus, Ruminiclostridium-9, and Bilophila in the CC) showed a close correlation with BW. The co-occurrence interaction results in the JC revealed a correlation between the genera of Actinobacteria (mainly with Corynebacterium) and Firmicutes Bacilli classes with different patterns in the two BW groups. In the JM of LBW birds, two co-occurring communities were found that were not identifiable in HBW chickens and their members belonged to the families of Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae. In the frame of the co-occurrence evaluation between the jejunal content and mucosa, the two genera (Trichococcus and Oligella) in the JC were found to have a significant positive correlation with other genera of the JM only in LBW chickens.

Gut Microbiota, Intestinal Morphometric Characteristics, and Gene Expression in Relation to the Growth Performance of Chickens

“…Actinobacteria and Lactobacillus showed critical roles in weight gain, and they were shown to be considerably higher with increasing weight gain. Similar to our findings reported by Farkas et al, [ 13 ], who stated that the co-occurrence interaction results in the jejunum revealed a correlation between the genera of Actinobacteria and Firmicutes Bacilli classes with different patterns in the two BW groups. Actinobacteria are the highest producers of bioactive secondary metabolites and can be used as a probiotic candidate, particularly in the poultry industry [ 53 ].…”

“…Our results are similar to those of Liu et al [ 45 ], who also failed to detect differences in the diversity of the ileum and cecal microbial community between chickens with different feed efficiencies [ 45 ]. In a recent comparison between the microbiota composition in two body weight groups of a commercial line (i.e., Ross), no significant differences were found in the alpha diversity at the jejunum contents—JC, jejunum mucosa—JM, and caecum contents—CC places, but β-diversities showed considerable separation between the JC, JM, and CC [ 13 ]. In our study, similar results were found, which suggested that the gut microbiota within the studied chicken was identical and exhibited limited diversity [ 13 ].…”

“…In a recent comparison between the microbiota composition in two body weight groups of a commercial line (i.e., Ross), no significant differences were found in the alpha diversity at the jejunum contents—JC, jejunum mucosa—JM, and caecum contents—CC places, but β-diversities showed considerable separation between the JC, JM, and CC [ 13 ]. In our study, similar results were found, which suggested that the gut microbiota within the studied chicken was identical and exhibited limited diversity [ 13 ]. The gut microbiota composition at the phylum level in Golden Montazah chickens was dominated by Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria, a domination that has been previously reported in similar studies (e.g., [ 22 , 46 , 47 ].…”

“…Comparison between the lumen- and the mucosa-associated microorganisms has revealed much greater microbial community richness in the mucosa, particularly in the ileum and caecum of broiler chickens [ 12 ]. In the frame of the co-occurrence evaluation between the jejunal content (JC) and mucosa (JM), the two genera (Trichococcus and Oligella) in the jejunal content were found to have a significant positive correlation with other genera of the JM only in low-weight of broiler chickens [ 13 ].…”

Dynamic Changes in the Gut Microbial Community and Function during Broiler Growth

“…Bilophila was associated with obesity in mice induced by a high-fat diet ( 41 ), but it was also found to be significantly negatively correlated with broiler weight ( 42 ). As a potential beneficial bacterium, Akkermansia was more abundant in the better-fed efficacy group hens ( 43 ).…”