The active core microbiota of two high-yielding laying hen breeds fed with different levels of calcium and phosphorus

Abstract

The nutrient availability and supplementation of dietary phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) in avian feed, especially in laying hens, plays a vital role in phytase degradation and mineral utilization during the laying phase. The required concentration of P and Ca peaks during the laying phase, and the direct interaction between Ca and P concentration shrinks the availability of both supplements in the feed. Our goal was to characterize the active microbiota of the entire gastrointestinal tract (GIT) (crop, gizzard, duodenum, ileum, caeca), including digesta- and mucosa-associated communities of two contrasting high-yielding breeds of laying hens (Lohmann Brown Classic, LB; Lohmann LSL-Classic, LSL) under different P and Ca supplementation levels. Statistical significances were observed for breed, GIT section, Ca, and the interaction of GIT section x breed, P x Ca, Ca x breed and P x Ca x breed (p < 0.05). A core microbiota of five species was detected in more than 97% of all samples. They were represented by an uncl. Lactobacillus (average relative abundance (av. abu.) 12.1%), Lactobacillus helveticus (av. abu. 10.8%), Megamonas funiformis (av. abu. 6.8%), Ligilactobacillus salivarius (av. abu. 4.5%), and an uncl. Fusicatenibacter (av. abu. 1.1%). Our findings indicated that Ca and P supplementation levels 20% below the recommendation have a minor effect on the microbiota compared to the strong impact of the bird’s genetic background. Moreover, a core active microbiota across the GIT of two high-yielding laying hen breeds was revealed for the first time.

Dietary probiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NSMJ56 modulates gut immunity and microbiota in laying hens

“…Abundance of the taxa Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes at the phylum level, Lactobacillaceae, Bacteroidaceae, and Lachnospiraceae at the family level, and Lactobacillus and Mediterranea at the genus level were found to be dominant in microbial communities of laying hens in this study. Our study agrees with earlier studies reporting Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes being dominant phyla in laying hens ( Dai et al, 2022 ; Roth et al, 2022 ). Both phyla have been known to ferment nondigestible polysaccharides into short-chain fatty acids including butyric acid which are known to provide readily available energy for maintaining host gut integrity ( Dai et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Our finding corroborates with that of the study by Li et al (2016) who reported that dietary Bacillus -based probiotic lowered Bacteroidaceae in chickens. Zhu et al (2019) and Roth et al (2022) reported that Lactobacillus was the dominant genus in chickens which agrees with our finding. Moreover, we found that Mediterranea was the second dominant genera in both control and NSMJ56-fed laying hens, the latter being lower than the former.…”

Nutritional and physiological responses to dietary phosphorus levels and phytase in pullets and laying hens

“…Odorous compound emissions from excreta are serious environmental pollutants associated with agricultural systems ( Wang et al, 2021 ). As odorous compounds including VFAs in excreta are mainly produced through microbial fermentation on undigested nutrient ( Le et al, 2005 ; Aarnink et al, 2007 ) and dietary P levels are known to affect gut microbiome ( Borda-Molina et al, 2016 ; Roth et al, 2022 ), it is hypothesized that odor emission would be affected by dietary P levels or dietary phytase. Lowering dietary P levels lowered ammonia concentrations in pullets but increased total VFAs in laying hens.…”

“…While it is expected that a low P diet could affect the bone nutrition and metabolism pullets ( Dijkslag et al, 2023 ), there is limited research on the effects of a low P diet on odorous compound emission of pullets and laying hens. Earlier studies Borda-Molina et al (2016) and Roth et al (2022) reported that dietary P affected gut microbiota which might affect gut health indicators as well as odor emission including fecal short chain fatty acids. Finally, although the low P diet could be utilized without affecting growth and laying performance in pullets and laying hens, it is not known whether it could be acted as a nutritional stressor triggering stress responses in laying hens.…”

Trace Minerals in Laying Hen Diets and Their Effects on Egg Quality

“…In order to enhance the quality of eggshells and hen health, intestinal bacterial regulation can therefore be crucial. However, Roth et al [83] demonstrated that the distribution of the microbiota and predicted functions in two breeds of high production laying hen were unaffected by a 20% reduction in dietary Ca and P.…”