Effect of stocking density and age on physiological performance and dynamic gut bacterial and fungal communities in Langya hens

Abstract

Background The characterization of colonization and dynamic changes related to gut microorganisms might be vital, as it presents an opportunity to quantify the co-variation between stocking densities and gut microbiome of dynamic distribution. The objective of this study was to determine the stocking density on physiological performance and dynamic distribution of gut microbiome (including bacterial and fungal communities) of Langya laying hens in the two development stages. Methods A randomized design with 2 × 3 factorial controls consisting of two development stages (24, 43 weeks-old) with three different stocking densities was performed. Three different stocking densities were allocated to a total of 300 11-week-old Langya laying hens (450 cm2/bird, 675 cm2/bird, 900 cm2/bird). Three housing densities were accomplished by raising different chickens per cage with the same floor size. The dependent variables of stocking densities at each sampling point were; growth performance, organs index, egg quality and the changes of dynamic gut bacterial and fungal communities in the cecum. Results Results showed that the stocking density didn’t affect liver index, eggshell thickness, breaking shell strength and egg shape index. Hens from the highest stocking density had the lowest body weight, fallopian tube index, egg weight and yolk colour score. Except for the yolk colour score, the measurement changes caused by age followed the opposite pattern as stocking density. We observed a substantial rise in taxa linked with health threats when stocking density was increased, including Talaromyces, Oscillospiraceae_UCG-002, Oscillospira, and Dielma. The opposite was observed with Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Lachnoclostridium, Eisenbergiella, and Kurtzmaniella. Also, most taxa were linked to polymicrobial infection in clinical cases, especially species whose percentage declined as the hens aged, such as Terrisporobacter, Faecalicoccus, Dialister, Cylindrocarpon etc. Whereas Sellimonas, Mitsuokella, Eurotium, Wardomyces and Cephalotheca had the opposite trend. Conclusion We speculated that excessive high density drove the abundance of bacteria and fungi connected with health problems. Where the gut microecology gradually reach a mature and balance status with age. Overall, this study demonstrates gut microbiome ecological processes in Langya layers at various stocking densities and finds possible connections between stocking density, microbiome and production performance. Our study will contribute to new insights associating suitable density patterns and production performance in laying hens by harnessing such a relative microbiome.

Combined Omics Analysis Further Unveils the Specific Role of Butyrate in Promoting Growth in Early-Weaning Animals

“…Less is known about the functions of f__Peptostreptococcaceae, the abundance of which is known to be increased in patients with colon cancer [ 65 , 66 ]. The genus Terrisporobacter is a close relative of Clostridium and is mainly associated with inflammatory bloodstream infections; g__Hungatella is also considered a pathogen and has been identified in patients with bacteremia and liver abscess [ 67 , 68 ]; g__Jeotgalicoccus belongs to the Staphylococcaceae family and is closely associated with enteritis; and Staphylococcus is a recognized causative agent of diarrhea, and its abundance is significantly increased in patients with digestive disorders [ 69 ]. In contrast, g__Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002, found to be differentially dominant in the butyrate group in our study, can increase bile acid absorption, thereby influencing steroid and bile salt metabolism and reducing fecal steroid excretion [ 70 ].…”

Micro-Coevolution of Genetics Rather Than Diet With Enterotype in Pigs

“…Moreover, the functional coverage of Terrisporobacter is controversial. Sometimes, it is considered as pathogenic bacteria ( 27 ) that is linked to a polymicrobial infection in clinical cases ( 28 ). However, the genus Terrisporobacter is also closely related to SCFA contents and oxidative indicators ( 29 ) and plays a key role in degrading organic matter ( 28 ).…”

“…Sometimes, it is considered as pathogenic bacteria ( 27 ) that is linked to a polymicrobial infection in clinical cases ( 28 ). However, the genus Terrisporobacter is also closely related to SCFA contents and oxidative indicators ( 29 ) and plays a key role in degrading organic matter ( 28 ). The Succinivibrio was also enriched in E2, which is regarded as a double-edged sword, not only involved in the accumulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines and viral inhibitors but also induced the inflammatory responses in the gut ( 30 ).…”

Modeling the Impact of Management Changes on the Infection Dynamics of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli in the Broiler Production

“…At lower stocking densities, chickens do not pick up enough bacteria at the beginning of the fattening period to become infected and start the infection dynamics. It is known that the stocking density in broiler chickens affects the composition of the microbiota [ 71 , 72 ] and colonization of the gastrointestinal tract [ 73 ], possibly due to the fact that the stocking density also has an effect on litter moisture [ 74 , 75 ] and, thus, on the survival rate of E. coli . Furthermore, the stocking density has an effect on animal welfare, behavior and locomotion [ 76 , 77 ], possibly including pecking and ingestion of potentially contaminated litter material.…”