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Microflora of the digestive tract: critical factors and consequences for poultry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2006

I. GABRIEL ,
M. LESSIRE ,
S. MALLET  and
J.F. GUILLOT
I. GABRIEL*
Affiliation:
Station de Recherches Avicoles, INRA, 37 380Nouzilly, France
M. LESSIRE
Affiliation:
Station de Recherches Avicoles, INRA, 37 380Nouzilly, France
S. MALLET
Affiliation:
Station de Recherches Avicoles, INRA, 37 380Nouzilly, France
J.F. GUILLOT
Affiliation:
Université de Tours, IUT, 37 082Tours, Cedex 2, France
*
*Corresponding author: irene.gabriel@tours.inra.fr
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Abstract

The microflora of the digestive tract of poultry is still incompletely known. Microbial populations of varying size and complexity occur throughout the digestive tract and the highest and most complex floras are found in the crop and the caeca. The upper part of the digestive tract is predominantly settled by facultative anaerobes, whereas the caeca are mainly the site of obligate anaerobes. The types, numbers and metabolic activities of the organisms are affected by numerous factors such as individual, animal age, environment, and diet. Bacteria produce various metabolites that can be useful or detrimental to the host. Interactions between bacteria and the gastrointestinal epithelium lead to various structural and functional modifications of the digestive tract. Bacteria can impair lipid digestion and may modify carbohydrate and protein digestion. They cause an increase in energy and amino acid requirements. They have a negative effect on vitamin nutrition. Beneficial bacteria can protect birds against pathogens through a competitive exclusion process. Moreover, the flora is involved in the development of the intestinal immune system. Overall, bacteria have a negative effect on bird growth. They may also have an effect on meat and egg quality. Improved knowledge of the microflora of the digestive tract and its consequences may contribute to its control and beneficial use for birds as well as breeders, consumers and the environment.

Keywords

poultrymicrofloramodification of bacterial communitydigestive tractdigestionmetabolismhealthintestinal immune systemgrowthproduct quality
Type
Review Article
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 62 , Issue 3 , September 2006 , pp. 499 - 511
Copyright
Copyright © World's Poultry Science Association 2006

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Footnotes

From a paper originally presented at the 5th Journée de la Recherche Avicole, Tours, France, March 26-27, 2003

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