Intestinal microbiota and feed design.

Gastrointestinal microbiota is a complex ecosystem with a huge bacterial density and diversity. Despite the vast microbial burden and the close contact between the microbes and the host’s cells, normal intestinal microbiota is considered to be beneficial. The aim of the Finnish Research Programme is to characterise intestinal microbiota of production animals and learn to modulate intrinsic microbiota in order to support productivity and animal health. For a simplified and better description of the complex microbiota, Microbial Balance Index (MBI) counted from the proportions of several bacterial groups present in intestinal samples was developed. Cecal samples of the broiler chickens participating in the feed raw material energy evaluation trial were collected. Microbial composition was analysed by using a rapid and bacterial group specific flow cytometric method. MBI was observed to associate with growth (r = 0.38, P = 0.03). The finding suggests that intestinal microbiota is an essential factor affecting animal productivity and well being.