Cecal Microbial Succession and Its Apparent Association with Nutrient Metabolism in Broiler Chickens

ABSTRACT The chicken gut microbiota plays an influential role in nutrient absorption and metabolism. A clear picture of microbiota succession can enhance host nutrition and disease resistance. This study investigated the cecal microbiota succession of broilers between 3 and 42 days after hatching using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analyzed its potential association with intestinal nutrient metabolism. Microbiota structure differed significantly at different time points depending on the microbiota alpha-diversity or beta-diversity. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes promoted succession on days 3 to 7 and days 28 to 35, respectively. Firmicutes and Tenericutes maintained homeostasis on days 7 to 28 and days 35 to 42. Shigella, [Ruminococcus], Erysipelotrichaceae_Clostridium, and Coprobacillus promoted succession on days 3 to 7; Faecalibacterium modified microbial composition on days 7 to 14; Faecalibacterium and Bacteroides regulated microbial structure from days 21 to 28. The microbiota structure was relatively stable on days 14 to 21 and days 28 to 35. Spearman’s correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between Lactobacillus and villus height and crypt depth (P