Detection of microbiota profiles related to resistance to necrotic enteritis in chickens

The intestinal tract is at the centre of animal production because it is responsible for absorption of nutrients and is the place of action of important pathogens. The characterization of bacterial communities has been revolutionized by the development of DNA sequencing technologies, which allowed the discovery of many new species and a better understanding of the interaction between the host and their intestinal microbiota. Among others, it has been shown that intestinal bacteria can protect against enteropathogens by direct competitions as well as by local immune modulation. The objective of this study is to identify microbiota patterns related to higher resistance against Clostridium perfringens colonization in chickens. To do so, we will test the ability of different strategies of microbiota manipulation to decrease severity of intestinal lesions after experimental infection with C. perfringens. Two hundred chicks will be divided in four groups according to the following treatments: probiotics, supplement 1, supplement 2 and controls. All animals will be exposed to experimental infection with C. perfringens and euthanized 2 days later. Intestinal lesions will be blindly scored and associations with specific changes in the intestinal microbiota will be made.

Faculty Supervisor:

Marcio Costa

Student:

Partner:

Cargill Limited

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Manufacturing

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: