Effect of fecal microbiota transplantation on early intestinal immune function and histomorphology of immune organs in chicks.

This article investigates the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from breeding hens on the early development of the immune system and intestinal immunity in newly hatched Hy-line Brown chicks. The study found that FMT enhanced the structural development of primary immune organs (bursa of Fabricius and thymus), increased levels of immunologically active substances such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), interleukin 10 (IL-10), and immunoglobulin A (IgA), and promoted the number of goblet cells involved in mucosal immunity. Additionally, FMT elevated the concentration of butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), which correlated positively with markers of intestinal immune function, suggesting a link between microbiota metabolites and immune maturation. These findings indicate that FMT can regulate early intestinal immunity in chicks, offering potential applications for improving poultry health through microbiota management.