Eggshell and environmental bacteria contribute to the intestinal microbiota of growing chickens
Abstract Background The initial intestinal microbiota acquired from different sources has profound impacts on animal health and productivity. In modern poultry production practices, the source(s) of the establishing microbes and their overall contribution during development of gastrointestinal tract...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40104-020-00459-w |
| _version_ | 1818176705276149760 |
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| author | Joel J. Maki Elizabeth A. Bobeck Matthew J. Sylte Torey Looft |
| author_facet | Joel J. Maki Elizabeth A. Bobeck Matthew J. Sylte Torey Looft |
| author_sort | Joel J. Maki |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The initial intestinal microbiota acquired from different sources has profound impacts on animal health and productivity. In modern poultry production practices, the source(s) of the establishing microbes and their overall contribution during development of gastrointestinal tract communities are still unclear. Using fertilized eggs from two independent sources, we assessed the impact of eggshell- and environmental-associated microbial communities on the successional processes and bacterial community structure throughout the intestinal tract of chickens for up to 6 weeks post-hatch. Results Culturing and sequencing techniques identified a viable, highly diverse population of anaerobic bacteria on the eggshell. The jejunal, ileal, and cecal microbial communities for the egg-only, environment-only, and conventionally raised birds generally displayed similar successional patterns characterized by increasing community richness and evenness over time, with strains of Enterococcus, Romboutsia, and unclassified Lachnospiraceae abundant for all three input groups in both trials. Bacterial community structures differed significantly based on trial and microbiota input with the exception of the egg-exposed and conventional birds in the jejunum at week 1 and the ileum at week 6. Cecal community structures were different based on trial and microbiota input source, and cecal short-chain fatty acid profiles at week 6 highlighted functional differences as well. Conclusion We identified distinct intestinal microbial communities and differing cecal short-chain fatty acid profiles between birds exposed to the microbiota associated with either the eggshell or environment, and those of conventionally hatched birds. Our data suggest the eggshell plays an appreciable role in the development of the chicken intestinal microbiota, especially in the jejunum and ileum where the community structure of the eggshell-only birds was similar to the structure of conventionally hatched birds. Our data identify a complex interplay between the eggshell and environmental microbiota during establishment and succession within the chicken gut. Further studies should explore the ability of eggshell- and environment-derived microbes to shape the dynamics of succession and how these communities can be targeted through interventions to promote gut health and mitigate food-borne pathogen colonization in poultry. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T20:20:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2e02d5f596c54607a2155afedea51773 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2049-1891 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T20:20:26Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology |
| spelling | doaj.art-2e02d5f596c54607a2155afedea517732022-12-22T00:52:05ZengBMCJournal of Animal Science and Biotechnology2049-18912020-06-0111111710.1186/s40104-020-00459-wEggshell and environmental bacteria contribute to the intestinal microbiota of growing chickensJoel J. Maki0Elizabeth A. Bobeck1Matthew J. Sylte2Torey Looft3Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of AgricultureDepartment of Animal Science, Iowa State UniversityFood Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of AgricultureFood Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of AgricultureAbstract Background The initial intestinal microbiota acquired from different sources has profound impacts on animal health and productivity. In modern poultry production practices, the source(s) of the establishing microbes and their overall contribution during development of gastrointestinal tract communities are still unclear. Using fertilized eggs from two independent sources, we assessed the impact of eggshell- and environmental-associated microbial communities on the successional processes and bacterial community structure throughout the intestinal tract of chickens for up to 6 weeks post-hatch. Results Culturing and sequencing techniques identified a viable, highly diverse population of anaerobic bacteria on the eggshell. The jejunal, ileal, and cecal microbial communities for the egg-only, environment-only, and conventionally raised birds generally displayed similar successional patterns characterized by increasing community richness and evenness over time, with strains of Enterococcus, Romboutsia, and unclassified Lachnospiraceae abundant for all three input groups in both trials. Bacterial community structures differed significantly based on trial and microbiota input with the exception of the egg-exposed and conventional birds in the jejunum at week 1 and the ileum at week 6. Cecal community structures were different based on trial and microbiota input source, and cecal short-chain fatty acid profiles at week 6 highlighted functional differences as well. Conclusion We identified distinct intestinal microbial communities and differing cecal short-chain fatty acid profiles between birds exposed to the microbiota associated with either the eggshell or environment, and those of conventionally hatched birds. Our data suggest the eggshell plays an appreciable role in the development of the chicken intestinal microbiota, especially in the jejunum and ileum where the community structure of the eggshell-only birds was similar to the structure of conventionally hatched birds. Our data identify a complex interplay between the eggshell and environmental microbiota during establishment and succession within the chicken gut. Further studies should explore the ability of eggshell- and environment-derived microbes to shape the dynamics of succession and how these communities can be targeted through interventions to promote gut health and mitigate food-borne pathogen colonization in poultry.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40104-020-00459-w16S rRNA geneEggshell microbiotaEnvironmental microbiotaHatchingIntestinal colonizationSCFA |
| spellingShingle | Joel J. Maki Elizabeth A. Bobeck Matthew J. Sylte Torey Looft Eggshell and environmental bacteria contribute to the intestinal microbiota of growing chickens Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology 16S rRNA gene Eggshell microbiota Environmental microbiota Hatching Intestinal colonization SCFA |
| title | Eggshell and environmental bacteria contribute to the intestinal microbiota of growing chickens |
| title_full | Eggshell and environmental bacteria contribute to the intestinal microbiota of growing chickens |
| title_fullStr | Eggshell and environmental bacteria contribute to the intestinal microbiota of growing chickens |
| title_full_unstemmed | Eggshell and environmental bacteria contribute to the intestinal microbiota of growing chickens |
| title_short | Eggshell and environmental bacteria contribute to the intestinal microbiota of growing chickens |
| title_sort | eggshell and environmental bacteria contribute to the intestinal microbiota of growing chickens |
| topic | 16S rRNA gene Eggshell microbiota Environmental microbiota Hatching Intestinal colonization SCFA |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40104-020-00459-w |
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