Ecological Studies on the Lactobacillus Flora Associated with the Crop Epithelium of the Fowl

Abstract

S ummary . The lactobacillus flora lining the crop of the chicken became established soon after hatching and adhered to the crop epithelium throughout the life of the bird: adhesion was unaffected by drastic changes in diet and was of widespread occurrence. Adhering lactobacilli were isolated from birds but not from mammals. Only these avion lactobacilli adhered to chicken crop epithelial cells. It is suggested that these lactobacilli have formed a symbiotic relationship with the chicken and help to regulate the composition of its intestinal microflora.