Effects of cereal source and feed form on the intestinal health, gene expression, and cecal microbiome profiling by full-length 16s rRNA sequencing of the gut microbiome of broiler chickens

Date

5-2026

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of cereal grain source and feed form on growth performance, ileal histomorphology, MUC2 gene expression, and cecal microbiome composition in broiler chickens. Five hundred day-old Ross 308 broilers were allocated in a randomized complete block design to five dietary treatments: a corn-soybean meal control and a 2x2 factorial arrangement of cereal source (wheat vs. sorghum) and feed form (100% ground VS. 50% ground + 50% whole grain) over 35 days. Growth performance, carcass traits, ileal histomorphology, MUC2 expression (RT-qPCR), and cecal microbiota (Oxford Nanopore full-length 16S rRNA sequencing; EMU taxonomic assignment; ALDEx2 and diversity analyses) were assessed. Sorghum-based diets supported body weight gain and feed efficiency comparable to corn, whereas wheat significantly reduced body weight gain (P = 0.001) and worsened feed conversion ratio (P = 0.03). Significant cereal x feed form interactions were observed for feed intake and feed efficiency (P = 0.02), with 50:50 ground + whole sorghum showing the poorest efficiency. Wheat increased ileal crypt depth (P = 0.04), while both wheat and sorghum increased villus height and width relative to corn. MUC2 amplification failed across all treatments despite successful reference gene amplification. Microbial beta diversity differed by cereal source, with sorghum-associated communities distinct from corn and wheat groups. Several taxa were enriched in sorghum-fed birds, while alpha diversity remained unchanged. Overall, low-tannin sorghum is a viable alternative to corn, with minimal performance effects but distinct gut morphological and microbial shifts,.

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree

Master of Science in Animal Science

College

Graduate School (GS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Dr. Rommel C. Sulabo

Committee Member

Dr. Jay Ronel V. Conejos, Dr. Andrew D. Montecillo, Dr. Ramil P. Mauleon

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

En – AGROVOC descriptors

BROILER CHICKENS; GRAIN FOODS; GROWTH CONTROL; HISTOMORPHOLOGY; DIETARY ASSESSMENT; MICROBIAL DIVERSITY

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