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

Abstract

Chicken is an important part of the human diet, and it is considered a nutritious and healthy food. Excessive abdominal fat deposition in broiler chickens presents a significant hurdle for both poultry producers and the food industry. This study 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. Our findings suggest that the two chicken lines exhibited significant differences in their gut microbiota and 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. 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.