Colonization of the Gastrointestinal Tract of Chicks with Different Bacterial Microbiota Profiles

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This study investigated the effects of transplanting different bacterial profiles into newly hatched broiler chicks. We hypothesized that chicks receiving gut bacteria from organic hens would have a distinct microbiota compared to those receiving bacteria from conventionally raised broilers. It was found that the chicks developed a gut microbiota similar to that of the donors from whom they received their bacteria. Over time, the microbiota from a control group resembled the microbiota of conventionally raised broilers, but the bacteria received from organic hens remained different from the other groups until 42 days of live. The chicks that received bacteria from conventionally raised broilers showed higher inflammation due to Eimeria infestation. The study concluded that gut bacteria transplantation can persistently colonize chicks. This information could be used in the future to select species of importance that are more adapted to the intestinal tract of chickens, and it highlights the importance of the strict screening of donors used in microbiota transplantation. ABSTRACT: This study aimed to investigate the consequences of early-life microbiota transplantation using different caecal content sources in broiler chicks. We hypothesized that chicks receiving at-hatch microbiota from organic hens would harbour a distinct microbiota from chicks receiving industry-raised broiler microbiota after six weeks of age. Three hundred Cobb broilers eggs were randomly assigned to one of four groups according to the caecal content received: organic laying hens (Organic); autoclaved caecal content of organic laying hens (Autoclaved); conventionally grown broilers (Conventional); and sterile saline (Control). caecal microbiota transplantation was given by gavage on day 1. Ten birds/group were euthanized on days 2, 7, 14, 28, and 42. The caecal tonsils and contents were collected for cytokines and microbiota analyses. The microbiota from chicks receiving live inocula resembled the donors’ microbiota from day seven until day 42. The microbiota composition from the chickens who received the Organic inoculum remained markedly different. Starting on day 7, the Organic group had higher richness. Simpson and Shannon’s indices were higher in the Conventional group on days 2 and 7. Chickens in the Conventional group presented higher production of IL-1β and IL-6 in plasma on days 2 and 28, increased IL-6 expression in the caecal tonsils at days 7 and 42, and increased IL-12 expression on day 7. However, the Conventional group was infected with Eimeria spp., which likely caused inflammation. In conclusion, microbiota transplantation using different microbiota profiles persistently colonized newly hatched broiler chicks. Future studies evaluating the importance of microbiota composition during infections with common enteropathogens are necessary. This study also highlights the need for a strict screening protocol for pathogens in the donors’ intestinal content.