Gut Microbiome-Host Genetics Co-Evolution Shapes Adiposity by Modulating Energy and Lipid Metabolism in Selectively Bred Broiler Chickens

Optimizing fat deposition is crucial for improving chicken production and meat quality. This study investigated the interactive roles of host genetics and gut microbiome in regulating abdominal fat deposition in selectively bred broiler chicken lines. We compared the gut microbiome composition and h...

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Main Authors: Guangqi Gao, Yangbo Jiao, Lai-Yu Kwok, Zhi Zhong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/22/3174
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author Guangqi Gao
Yangbo Jiao
Lai-Yu Kwok
Zhi Zhong
author_facet Guangqi Gao
Yangbo Jiao
Lai-Yu Kwok
Zhi Zhong
author_sort Guangqi Gao
collection DOAJ
description Optimizing fat deposition is crucial for improving chicken production and meat quality. This study investigated the interactive roles of host genetics and gut microbiome in regulating abdominal fat deposition in selectively bred broiler chicken lines. We compared the gut microbiome composition and host whole-genome profiles between fat-line and lean-line broiler chickens that had been selectively bred for divergent abdominal fat levels over 15 generations. Despite identical dietary and environmental conditions, the two chicken lines exhibited significant differences in their gut microbiota. Lean-line broiler chickens exhibited an increased abundance of intestinal <i>Lactobacillus</i> and a decreased presence of potentially pathogenic species, such as <i>Campylobacter coli</i>, <i>Corynebacterium casei</i>, and <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i>. These microbial alterations were accompanied by shifts in the functional metagenome, with enrichment in pathways involved in energy metabolism and nutrient utilization in the lean-line chickens. Notably, the selective breeding process also led to genomic variations in the lean broilers, with single nucleotide polymorphisms predominantly observed in genes related to energy and lipid metabolism. Our findings suggest that the host–microbiome interactions play a key role in the divergent abdominal fat deposition phenotypes observed in these selectively bred chicken lines. The co-evolution of the gut microbiome and host genetics highlights the importance of considering both factors to optimize poultry production efficiency and meat quality. This study offers new insights into the intricate gut–genome interactions in chicken fat metabolism, paving the way for more effective breeding and microbiome-based strategies to manage adiposity in poultry.
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spelling doaj-art-ae28a7f24ec340e9a10600596f6eff9d2025-08-20T01:53:48ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-11-011422317410.3390/ani14223174Gut Microbiome-Host Genetics Co-Evolution Shapes Adiposity by Modulating Energy and Lipid Metabolism in Selectively Bred Broiler ChickensGuangqi Gao0Yangbo Jiao1Lai-Yu Kwok2Zhi Zhong3Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaKey Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaKey Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaKey Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaOptimizing fat deposition is crucial for improving chicken production and meat quality. This study investigated the interactive roles of host genetics and gut microbiome in regulating abdominal fat deposition in selectively bred broiler chicken lines. We compared the gut microbiome composition and host whole-genome profiles between fat-line and lean-line broiler chickens that had been selectively bred for divergent abdominal fat levels over 15 generations. Despite identical dietary and environmental conditions, the two chicken lines exhibited significant differences in their gut microbiota. Lean-line broiler chickens exhibited an increased abundance of intestinal <i>Lactobacillus</i> and a decreased presence of potentially pathogenic species, such as <i>Campylobacter coli</i>, <i>Corynebacterium casei</i>, and <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i>. These microbial alterations were accompanied by shifts in the functional metagenome, with enrichment in pathways involved in energy metabolism and nutrient utilization in the lean-line chickens. Notably, the selective breeding process also led to genomic variations in the lean broilers, with single nucleotide polymorphisms predominantly observed in genes related to energy and lipid metabolism. Our findings suggest that the host–microbiome interactions play a key role in the divergent abdominal fat deposition phenotypes observed in these selectively bred chicken lines. The co-evolution of the gut microbiome and host genetics highlights the importance of considering both factors to optimize poultry production efficiency and meat quality. This study offers new insights into the intricate gut–genome interactions in chicken fat metabolism, paving the way for more effective breeding and microbiome-based strategies to manage adiposity in poultry.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/22/3174<i>Gallus gallus</i>selective breedingfat depositionsingle nucleotide polymorphismgut-genome axisapolipoprotein B
spellingShingle Guangqi Gao
Yangbo Jiao
Lai-Yu Kwok
Zhi Zhong
Gut Microbiome-Host Genetics Co-Evolution Shapes Adiposity by Modulating Energy and Lipid Metabolism in Selectively Bred Broiler Chickens
Animals
<i>Gallus gallus</i>
selective breeding
fat deposition
single nucleotide polymorphism
gut-genome axis
apolipoprotein B
title Gut Microbiome-Host Genetics Co-Evolution Shapes Adiposity by Modulating Energy and Lipid Metabolism in Selectively Bred Broiler Chickens
title_full Gut Microbiome-Host Genetics Co-Evolution Shapes Adiposity by Modulating Energy and Lipid Metabolism in Selectively Bred Broiler Chickens
title_fullStr Gut Microbiome-Host Genetics Co-Evolution Shapes Adiposity by Modulating Energy and Lipid Metabolism in Selectively Bred Broiler Chickens
title_full_unstemmed Gut Microbiome-Host Genetics Co-Evolution Shapes Adiposity by Modulating Energy and Lipid Metabolism in Selectively Bred Broiler Chickens
title_short Gut Microbiome-Host Genetics Co-Evolution Shapes Adiposity by Modulating Energy and Lipid Metabolism in Selectively Bred Broiler Chickens
title_sort gut microbiome host genetics co evolution shapes adiposity by modulating energy and lipid metabolism in selectively bred broiler chickens
topic <i>Gallus gallus</i>
selective breeding
fat deposition
single nucleotide polymorphism
gut-genome axis
apolipoprotein B
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/22/3174
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