Real-time quantitative PCR measurement of ileal Lactobacillus salivarius populations from broiler chickens to determine the influence of farming practices

Real-time quantitative PCR assay targeting a 16S-23S intergenic space region sequence is designed for measuring the sizes of populations of Lactobacillus salivarius present in ileal digesta collected from broiler chickens. Stocking densities have not affected the numbers of Lactobacillus salivarius cells in the ileum, whereas a diet containing meat and bone meal has reduced the size of the Lactobacillus salivarius populations relative to that of chickens given the controlled diet.