Effects of faecal microbiota transplantation on the growth performance, intestinal microbiota, jejunum morphology and immune function of laying-type chicks
Jing Yu![https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1663-840X](/media/client/orcid_16x16.png)
A College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
B Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130124, China.
C College of Biology Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Shangluo University, Beixin Street 10, Shangluo 726000, China.
Handling Editor: Shaniko Shini
Animal Production Science 62(4) 321-332 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN21093
Submitted: 17 February 2021 Accepted: 15 November 2021 Published: 14 December 2021
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing
Abstract
Context: Recent studies have indicated that the early stage of growth is a critical window for intestinal microbiota manipulation to optimise the immunity and body growth. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is often used to regulate intestinal microbiota colonisation.
Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of FMT on the growth performance, intestinal microbiota, jejunum morphology and immune function of newly hatched laying-type chicks.
Methods: The chicks (Hy-line Brown) were randomly divided into the control group (CON) and FMT group (FMT), which were treated with sterile saline and faecal microbiota suspension of Hy-line Brown breeder hens on Days 1, 3 and 5 respectively. For each group, there were five replications of 12 birds each for 4 weeks. This study investigated the body weight, tibia length, intestinal microflora, jejunum morphology and immune indexes of the chicks.
Key results: The results showed that the body weight and tibia length of birds in the FMT group were significantly increased at 7, 14 and 21 days of age (P < 0.01). Furthermore, we found that FMT altered the intestinal microbiota community of the birds and improved the richness, evenness, diversity and stability of their intestinal microbiota (P < 0.05). The faecal microbiota of the donor hens and birds that received the transplantation were very similar. The villus height and the ratio of the villus to crypt of the birds in the FMT group were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher than those in the control group. In addition, Spearman’s correlation analysis showed that the villus height of the FMT group showed positive correlation with Bacteroides (P < 0.05), and the villus height and the ratio of the villus to crypt in the FMT group showed positive correlations with Megasphaera (P < 0.05). The birds in the FMT group had no significant difference in intestinal length, immune organ indexes, serum β-defensin and IgA concentrations.
Conclusions: In summary, FMT can promote the early growth performance and jejunum morphology of laying-type chicks and improve the intestinal microbiota. FMT has no significant effect on the immune function of chicks.
Implications: FMT may be a potential method to improve the health of chicks to enhance the poultry industry.
Keywords: 16S rRNA, body weight, faecal microbiota transplantation, intestinal microbiota, jejunum morphology, laying-type chicks, Spearman’s correlation analysis, villus height.
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