Microbial Community Dynamics in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Indigenous Omani Chickens
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3923/ijps.2020.309.320Keywords:
16S rDNA, bacterial microflora, gastrointestinal tract, gut microbiota, Omani chickensAbstract
Background and Objective: The microflora in the gastrointestinal tract influences the digestion, health and wellbeing of chickens. This study was conducted to assess the relative abundance of bacterial microflora in different segments of the gastrointestinal tract (duodenum, jejunum, ilium and cecum) of indigenous local Omani chickens. Materials and Methods: One hundred fifty one-day-old chicks of indigenous (local Omani) chickens were raised under an intensive management system and fed a nonmedicated corn-soybean meal diet from 0-35 days of age. Results: Using 16S rDNA-based analysis, the study showed that each intestinal segment developed its own bacterial community and the diversity of the bacterial community changed from one age period to the next. In addition, the 16S rDNA sequences of Lactobacillales were dominant in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum libraries, whereas the 16S rDNA sequences of Clostridiales were dominant in the cecum libraries. The relative abundance of the bacterial microbiota differed significantly (p<0.05) across different intestinal segments. Conclusion: Each region developed its own bacterial community and the relative abundances of the bacterial community were quite different.
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