The Increase of Lactobacillus Species in the Gut Flora of Newborn Broiler Chicks and Ducks Is Associated with Weight Gain

Abstract

BackgroundA bacterial role in the obesity pandemic has been suspected based on the ingestion of probiotics that can modify the gut flora. The objective of our study was to determine if increased Lactobacillus sp. in the gut flora of newborn broiler chicks and ducks could result in weight gain increase.MethodologyFemale broiler chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus) and ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domestica) were separated into one control and two experimental groups, and inoculated once or twice with 4×1010 Lactobacillus spp. per animal in PBS, or with PBS alone. Fecal samples were collected before and at 24 hours, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 30 days after the inoculation. DNA was extracted from the stools, and qPCR assays were performed on a MX3000™ system for the detection and quantification of Lactobacillus sp., Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, using a quantification plasmid. Animals were measured and sacrificed 60 days after the beginning of the experiment, and livers were collected and measured.Principal FindingsChicks inoculated once and twice with Lactobacillus weighed 10.2% (p = 0.0162) and 13.5% (p = 0.0064) more than the control group animals, respectively. Similarly, ducks inoculated once and twice weighed 7.7% (p = 0.05) and 14% (p = 0.035) more than those in the control group, respectively. Liver mass was also significantly higher in inoculated animals compared to the control group. Inoculation with Lactobacillus sp. increased the DNA copies of Lactobacillus spp. and Firmicutes in the stools. Bacteroidetes remained stable, and only the second Lactobacillus sp. inoculation significantly decreased its population in chicks. The ratio of DNA copies of Firmicutes to those of Bacteroidetes increased to as much as 6,4 in chicks and 8,3 in ducks.ConclusionsDifferences in the intestinal microbiota may precede weight increase, as we found that an increase of Lactobacillus sp. in newborn ducks and chicks preceded the development of weight gain.

Gut metagenomic analysis reveals prominent roles of Lactobacillus and cecal microbiota in chicken feed efficiency

“…Compared with the PFE group, the BFE group showed increases in duodenal Lactobacillus (P = 0.002, FDR = 0.162) and cecal Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Lactobacillus reuteri (FDR < 0.05) in the current study. Previous studies suggested that some species of Lactobacillus are associated with weight gain in human and animal infants [37][38][39] . Nevertheless, the body weight of the BFE group was not significantly higher than that of the PFE group, which was not consistent with the statement by Million 40 that Lactobacillus would lead to obesity or weight gain.…”

Influence of Antimicrobial Feed Additives on Broiler Commensal Posthatch Gut Microbiota Development and Performance

“…In particular, a decrease in numbers of L. salivarius bacteria has been linked with improved broiler performance (14,24,26). However, some probiotics containing either multiple bacterial species or a single bacterial species, including lactobacilli, have been shown to improve feed efficiency and weight gain in chickens (2,38,39), suggesting that perhaps strain-specific characteristics and/or host selective pressures determining the process of colonization (34,62) could influence performance outcomes.…”

Probiotics and growth in preterm infants: A randomized controlled trial, PREMAPRO study

“…Furthermore, a positive effect on weight gain has been reported in rapidly growing animals [3], which could be associated with the metabolic effects of probiotics [4]. Some authors have even suggested that there might be a relationship between the composition of the gut microflora and a later risk of obesity in adults [5].…”