A NOVEL PROBIOTIC TO INCREASE CHICKEN GUT INTEGRITY AND MATURATION AT EARLY LIFE TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND DISEASE RESISTANCE

Segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) are considered keystone bacteria thatplay a major beneficial role in shaping a healthy gut in early life in mice. SFB are found in humans and other animals, including poultry, and are host-specific. The goal of this project is to study SFB in chickens and evaluate the probiotic potential of chicken SFB in conventional layers. Built upon our preliminary data, the major objectives of the project are to 1) optimize SFB-inoculum for conventional chicks' treatment by improving the purity and in vitro growth conditions; 2) determine how SFB treatment enhances intestine maturation and immune stimulation in conventional chicks, and 3) evaluate broad protection of the treatment against bacteria that have the potential to generate inflammation in the gut, e.g., Enterobacteriaceae andcause risk to humans. Challenge studies will be performed.