Project 2.4

The project's first main objective is to study the use of myo-inositol as a carbon source for bacteria and in host cells. Bacteria actively growing in the small intestine of two contrasting high-yielding laying hen strains will be studied to explore their potential to use myo-inositol forming of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) or the respective precursors, which are essential substrates for host metabolism. In addition, the direct myo-inositol utilization in host cells is of interest.
The second main objective focuses on the transition phase from pullet to layer as is expected to be a critical period with drastic changes in intestinal microbiomes. In addition to in vitro stable isotope probing (SIP) studies used for the first objective, the influence of myo-inositol on the intestinal microbiome (in vivo) will be investigated to observe any shifts in the bacterial community composition and function.

The hypotheses are:
• Myo-inositol provided with feed is causing a shift in the bacterial community composition and functional potential in two high-yielding laying hen strains.
• Myo-inositol provided with the feed supports host metabolism and is used by intestinal bacteria as a carbon source to form SCFA.
• A drastic shift in the microbiome structure and function occur during the pullet-layer digestive and metabolic transition in two contrasting high-yielding laying hen strains.