Cecal motility and the impact of Lactobacillus in feather pecking laying hens

Nienke Van Staaveren,Julia Krumma,Wolfgang Kunze,Isabelle Y Kwon,Alexandra Harlander-Matauschek,Paul Forsythe,Yu-Kang Mao,Christine West,Joergen B Kjaer

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-69928-6

Abstract

The gut-microbiota-brain axis is implicated in the development of behavioural disorders in mammals. As such, its potential role in disruptive feather pecking (FP) in birds cannot be ignored. Birds with a higher propensity to perform FP have distinct microbiota profiles and feed transit times compared to non-pecking counterparts. Consequently, we hypothesize that the gut microbiota is intimately linked to FP and gut motility, which presents the possibility of using probiotics to control FP behaviour. In the present study, we aim to assess the relationship between cecal motility and the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus in chickens classified as peckers (P, 13 birds) and non-peckers (NP, 17 birds). We show that cecal contractions were 68% less frequent and their amplitude increased by 58% in the presence of L. rhamnosus. Furthermore, the number of FP bouts performed by P birds was positively correlated with contraction velocity and amplitude. We present the first account of gut motility measurements in birds with distinct FP phenotypes. Importantly, the present work demonstrates the clear impact of a probiotic on cecal contractions. These findings lay the foundation for identifying biological differences between P and NP birds which will support the development of FP control strategies.

Highlights

Velocity Frequency (Hz) Amplitude passage time through the GI tract of feather peckers is faster compared to non-peckers[20]
The gut-brain axis is increasingly investigated for its potential role in feather pecking (FP) behaviour
While there is cursory evidence of the importance of the gut microbiota in FP18,19,21,22, the current body of literature lacks studies conducted under controlled settings and those employing a reductionist approach to assess foundational links between FP, gut function and the resident microbiota

Summary

Introduction

Velocity (cm/s) Frequency (Hz) Amplitude (cm) passage time through the GI tract of feather peckers is faster compared to non-peckers[20]. Vagal afferent input to the brain leads to subsequent changes in brain chemistry, altering fear- and anxiety-related behaviour[33,34] These previous studies demonstrate that microbial activity can modulate the excitability of the ENS by a rapid, drug-like action, but that it can correct GI dysmotility and impact behaviour in rodents[33,35,36,37]. We investigated whether a probiotic treatment would impact motility measures in birds classified as feather peckers (P) or nonpeckers (NP) using this established model To this end, we first measured ENS-dependent propulsive peristalsis in P and NP birds by comparing the velocity, frequency and amplitude of cecal contractions. L. rhamnosus JB-1 had already been demonstrated to reverse stress-induced GI dysmotility in mice 35,36

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