Effects of Different Ambient Temperatures on Caecal Microbial Composition in Broilers

Abstract

Short-term or acute temperature stress affect the immune responses and alters the gut microbiota of broilers, but the influences of long-term temperature stress on stress biomarkers and the intestinal microbiota remains largely unknown. Therefore, we examined the effect of three long-term ambient temperatures (high (HC), medium (MC), and low (LC) temperature groups) on the gene expression of broilers’ heat shock proteins (Hsps) and inflammation – related genes, as well as the caecal microbial composition. The results revealed that Hsp70 and Hsp90 levels in HC group significantly increased, and levels of Hsp70, Hsp90, IL-6, TNF-α, and NFKB1 in LC group were significantly higher than in MC group (p < 0.05). In comparison with the MC group, the proportion of Firmicutes increased in HC and LC groups, while that of Bacteroidetes decreased in LC group at phylum level (p < 0.05). At genus level, the proportion of Escherichia/Shigella, Phascolarctobacterium, Parabacteroides, and Enterococcus increased in HC group; the fraction of Faecalibacterium was higher in LC group; and the percentage of Barnesiella and Alistipes decreased in both HC and LC groups (p < 0.05). Functional analysis based on communities’ phylogenetic investigation revealed that the pathways involved in environmental information processing and metabolism were enriched in the HC group. Those involved in cellular processes and signaling, metabolism, and gene regulation were enriched in LC group. Hence, we conclude that the long-term temperature stress can greatly alter the intestinal microbial communities in broilers and may further affect the host’s immunity and health.

Integrated Analysis of the Effects of Cecal Microbiota and Serum Metabolome on Market Weights of Chinese Native Chickens

“…However, the study did not elucidate a detailed mechanism [89]. An additional study found that the abundance of Phascolarctobacterium in the gut increases when chickens are exposed to high temperatures for extended periods, and this exposure also results in elevated levels of heat shock proteins and related inflammatory gene expression [90]. Heat stress altered the structure and function of enzymes in the chicken body, reduced the pH of the blood, and caused metabolic acidosis.…”

Response of growth performance and cecum microbial communityto cyclic heat stress in broilers

“…Tian et al (2020) reported a decrease in the abundance of Shaoxing duck Enterococci after 15 days of high temperature exposure, which was different from the results of the present experiment. Enterococcus is not only a major component of the chicken intestinal ora, but it is also a highly pathogenic conditional pathogen (Yang et al 2021). Enterococcus causes arthritis, spondylitis and reduced production performance in broilers by destroying eukaryotic DNA in intestinal epithelial cells (Kense et al 2011).…”

Short- and long-term effects of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid or doxycycline on the gastrointestinal microbiome of growing cats

“…All cats were stray at study initiation; thus, their exact date of birth was unknown and slight differences in the enrollment age might have influenced the microbiota composition. Differences in ambient could have also interfered with our results [ 102 ]. Some cats were malnourished, and malnourishment has been associated with a persistently immature microbiome in children [ 103 ].…”