Changes in gut community composition as a result of growth targeted breeding of broilers

In this study the cecum bacterial community of 37-week old commercial Cobb breeding dames was compared with dames from a broiler Legacy line which has not undergone selection since 1986. Significant differences were identified, including a large presence of mucin degrading bacteria in the modern commercial line, which were mostly absent from the Legacy line. Further research is needed to determine if these differences in composition are part of the mechanism affecting growth, and if they affect dame reproductive performance.