Probiotic spray on incubating chicken eggs accelerates the establishment of a healthy jejunal microbiota.
Spraying probiotics on chicken embryos may accelerate the establishment of a healthy gut microbiota, but the study lacks detailed numeric data to fully evaluate its impact.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the adipotide (prohibitin-tp01) corpusSummary and findings
This study investigated the colonization of probiotics in the intestines of chicken embryos using a coarse spray on incubating eggs. Enterococcus faecalis was sprayed on days 12, 15, and/or 17 of embryonation. Results indicated that colonization was best observed when probiotics were applied on days 15 and 17.
Abstract
Establishing beneficial microbiota in chickens earlier in life is advantageous for optimum production and health. This study was conducted to investigate the colonization of probiotics in the intestines of specific pathogen free chicken embryos using a coarse spray of probiotics on incubating eggs to accelerate the establishment of a healthy jejunal microbiota in neonatal chickens. Enterococcus faecalis were sprayed on incubating eggs on 12, 15 and/or 17 days of embryonation (DOE) to explore the optimum day(s) needed for colonization. Colonization was confirmed by direct culture and whole genome sequencing of intestinal contents of embryos. Colonization was best observed when probiotics were sprayed on two separate days - 15 and 17 DOE. Further, effects of coarse spray of E. faecalis, Ligilactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium pullorum subsp. gallinarum, and Pediococcus acidilactici on incubating eggs individually or as a mixture in jejunal microbiota were assessed at 2, 10, 20, and 30 days post hatch (DPH) using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Coarse spray application of L. salivarius, L. plantarum and the mixture of probiotics lead to significantly faster convergence trajectories towards a mature reference profile [represented by 30 DPH with no probiotics delivery (negative control)], compared to groups that received probiotics by the oral route. Beta diversity analysis showed the largest separation between groups at 2 DPH. Over 10, 20, and 30 DPH, all communities gradually converged, with the group that received the sprayed probiotic mixture retaining a unique profile for the longest period. The group that received the sprayed probiotic mixture consistently outperformed the negative control group and the group given oral probiotics on 2 DPH at both species and genus levels in terms of richness. This confirms the beneficial effect of a probiotic mixture spray compared to natural colonization or short-term oral application. In conclusion, spray application of probiotics as a coarse spray is an industry feasible technique and noninvasive method for introducing probiotics to chicken embryos leading to a rapid establishment of healthy jejunal microbial composition.
Background
This paper addresses the establishment of beneficial microbiota in chickens, which is important for production and health. Previous studies have shown that early colonization of probiotics can positively influence gut health. This study aims to explore a novel method of probiotic application to enhance microbiota establishment in chicken embryos.
Methods
The study utilized specific pathogen free chicken embryos, applying Enterococcus faecalis via coarse spray on days 12, 15, and/or 17 of embryonation. Colonization was confirmed through direct culture and whole genome sequencing. The effects of various probiotics were assessed at 2, 10, 20, and 30 days post hatch using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.
Results
Colonization was best observed when probiotics were sprayed on days 15 and 17 of embryonation. The group receiving the sprayed probiotic mixture showed significant differences in microbiota composition compared to the negative control at 2 days post hatch.
Interpretation
The findings suggest that the coarse spray method may be more effective than oral administration for establishing gut microbiota in chickens. However, the study does not provide detailed statistical analyses or sample sizes, which raises questions about the robustness of the conclusions. The results imply potential practical applications in poultry production but warrant further investigation.
Key findings
- Colonization was best observed when probiotics were sprayed on days 15 and 17 of embryonation.
- The group that received the sprayed probiotic mixture consistently outperformed the negative control group at 2 days post hatch in terms of richness.
- Beta diversity analysis showed the largest separation between groups at 2 days post hatch.
Limitations
- Not reported in abstract.
- Lack of specific sample sizes.
- No detailed statistical analyses provided.