Gastrointestinal Microbial Ecology of Laying Hens Fed Diets with Different Levels of Glyphosate

With the usage of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) in agricultural settings, livestock animals are exposed to glyphosate feed residues. Glyphosate acts by inhibiting the shikimate pathway, responsible for the formation of chorismate, a precursor for the aromatic amino acid synthesis. The pathway is not present in the cells of higher animals but is harbored by plants and a range of microorganisms. The overall objective of the present study was to investigate in vivo effects on gastrointestinal microbial ecology of laying hen fed diets with glyphosate concentrations, covering maximum residue levels (MRL) set by the EU for common feed crops.