Host-genotype-dependent cecal microbes are linked to breast muscle metabolites in Chinese chickens
Yuqing Feng,
Dan Liu,
Yan Liu,
Xinyue Yang,
Meihong Zhang,
Fuxiao Wei,
Depeng Li,
Yongfei Hu,
Yuming Guo
Affiliations
Yuqing Feng
State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
Dan Liu
State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
Yan Liu
State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
Xinyue Yang
State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
Meihong Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
Fuxiao Wei
State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
Depeng Li
State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
Yongfei Hu
State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China; Corresponding author
Yuming Guo
State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China; Corresponding author
Summary: In chickens, the effect of host genetics on the gut microbiota is not fully understood, and the extent to which the heritable gut microbes affect chicken metabolism and physiology is still an open question. Here, we explored the interactions among chicken genetics, the cecal microbiota and metabolites in breast muscle from ten chicken breeds in China. We found that different chicken breeds displayed distinct cecal microbial community structures and functions, and 15 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were significantly associated with host genetics through different genetic loci, such as those related to the intestinal barrier function. We identified five heritable ASVs significantly associated with 53 chicken muscle metabolites, among which the Megamonas probably affected lipid metabolism through the production of propionate. Our study revealed that the chicken genetically associated cecal microbes may have the potential to affect the bird’s physiology and metabolism.
