Supplemental L-Arginine Improves the Embryonic Intestine Development and Microbial Succession in a Chick Embryo Model

Early colonization of intestinal microbiota plays an important role in the intestinal development. However, the microbial succession at embryonic stage and its assembly patterns induced by prenatal nutrition are unknown. In the present study, we used a chick embryo model to investigate effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) of L-arginine (Arg) on intestinal development and microbial succession of embryos. A total of 216 fertile eggs were randomly distributed into 2 groups including the non-injected control group and IOF of Arg group with 7 mg/egg. The results showed that IOF Arg increased intestinal index, absolute weight of jejunum and improved jejunal morphology in terms of villus width and surface area (P 3, P < 0.05). Accordingly, significant elevated concentrations of SCFAs including lactic acid and formic acid were observed in the Arg group (P < 0.05), accompanied by the higher concentration of butyric acid (0.05 < P < 0.10). In conclusion, prenatal Arg supplementation improved embryonic intestine development by regulating glucose and lipid homeostasis to supply more energy for chick embryos. The possible mechanism could be the roles of Arg in shaping the microbial assembly pattern and succession of embryonic intestine, particularly the enrichment of potential probiotics. These findings may contribute to exploring nutritional strategies to establish health-promoting microbiota by manipulating prenatal host-microbe interactions for the healthy development of neonates.