Research/Gut microflora development and impact on life-long health and performance
From Poultry Hub
Project title: Gut microflora development and impact on life-long health and performance
Project Leader: Valeria Torok at SARDI funded by Poultry CRC (Project 06-25)
Duration of Project: 1 July 2007 to 31 December 2009
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Project overview
A principal objective of the Australian Poultry CRC is sustainable production without reliance on antibiotics. Antibiotics modify the ecology of the gut microflora controlling enteric poultry pathogens and promote performance. Antibiotics also control zoonotic agents, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter.
Project objectives
- Identify indicator bacterial organisms associated with health and performance in poultry.
- Define commensal bacterial colonisation and succession in the first two weeks post-hatch.
Background
The role of commensal gut microbiota in animal production is receiving much interest, particularly since the withdrawal of in-feed antibiotics in the European Union. The gut contains a complex microbial community including potentially beneficial, benign and pathogenic bacteria. A favourable gut microbiota is important for the optimal growth and performance of chicken. An unfavourable microbiota may promote enteric infections, leading to decreased growth rates and increased mortality. However, what defines a favourable and unfavourable gut microbiota is largely unknown. This project is a follow up of Poultry CRC Project 03-3a in which diet related changes in gut microbiota were linked with broiler performance. In the current project we will characterise the immediate post-hatch gut microbiota development in broiler chickens, as well, as identify and characterise bacterial indicators associated with performance and production in traits. This information will be useful to industry in developing and evaluating natural alternatives to in-feed antibiotics for sustainable poultry production.
Project progress
We have linked with two broiler performance trials in order to elucidate bacterial indicators of poultry performance. Linkage with a third trial will be made to allow results to be confirmed. Identity of important bacteria will be determined using genome sequence information. This will allow molecular diagnostic assays to be developed for indicator bacteria of performance. We have also conducted a trial to investigate post hatch gut microbiota development in broiler chickens. Birds were raised from hatch on a commercial feed containing either no antibiotics or one of three different antibiotics currently used in Australia. These in-feed antibiotics are reported to have different modes of action in vitro. Our results will provide information on in vivo modes of action on gut microbiota, as well as, provide a better understanding of how a favourable gut microbiota develops. This information will be useful in evaluating and developing natural feed additives for sustainable poultry production without reliance on antibiotics.
