Feed deprivation affects crop environment and modulates Salmonella enteritidis colonization and invasion of leghorn hens

Changes in the microenvironment of a crop caused by feed deprivation are significant regulators of the survival of Salmonella enteritidis and influence the susceptibility of molted hens to S enteritidis infections. This was gleaned from a study of the physiological changes in the crop associated with molt induced by feed withdrawal. Results showed that feed withdrawal alters the microenvironment of the crop by causing substantial reductions in the Lactobacillus population and in lactate and total volatile fatty acid concentrations and an increase in pH. Such changes of the crop environment were found to be accompanied by increased S enteritidis colonization of the crop and cecum with invasion of the spleen and liver.