Betaine Alter SCFA-Producing Bacteria Population in Laying Pullet Reared in Tropical Climate

Abstract Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are crucial products of microbial fermentation in the gut, known to play a significant role in maintaining gastrointestinal health and the overall well-being of animals. Betaine, a naturally occurring compound found in various plant and animal sources, has been widely used as a feed additive in poultry production due to its potential benefits, including improved growth, osmoregulation, and liver function. This study examines the possible effects of betaine supplementation on SCFA-producing bacteria in laying pullets raised in tropical climates, mainly focusing on SCFA-producing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species. In total, 96 laying hens strain Lohmann aged three weeks were assigned to two dietary treatments. Dietary treatments included a basal diet (control) and a basal diet supplemented with 1. 2 g. kg-1 betaine. The next-generation sequencing method of the 16S rRNA gene region V3–V4 was applied to view the bacteria abundance. Betaine supplementation showed significantly higher population levels of Lactobacillusₐgilis, Lactobacillusₐviarius, Lactobacillusᵢngluviei, Lactobacillusⱼohnsonii, and Lactobacillusₛaerimneri compared to the control group (P<0. 05). In Bifidobacteriumₚullorum bacteria, betaine administration shows insignificant results compared to control. In conclusion, betaine supplementation appears to have a positive impact on promoting the growth of certain beneficial Lactobacillus species in laying pullets reared in tropical climates.