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Zhao J, Lu W, Huang S, Le Maho Y, Habold C, Zhang Z. Impacts of Dietary Protein and Niacin Deficiency on Reproduction Performance, Body Growth, and Gut Microbiota of Female Hamsters (Tscherskia triton) and Their Offspring. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0015722. [PMID: 36318010 PMCID: PMC9784777 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00157-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Food resources are vital for animals to survive, and gut microbiota play an essential role in transferring nutritional materials into functional metabolites for hosts. Although the fact that diet affects host microbiota is well known, its impacts on offspring remain unclear. In this study, we assessed the effects of low-protein and niacin-deficient diets on reproduction performance, body growth, and gut microbiota of greater long-tailed hamsters (Tscherskia triton) under laboratory conditions. We found that maternal low-protein diet (not niacin deficiency) had a significant negative effect on reproduction performance of female hamsters (longer mating latency with males and smaller litter size) and body growth (lower body weight) of both female hamsters and their offspring. Both protein- and niacin-deficient diets showed significant maternal effects on the microbial community in the offspring. A maternal low-protein diet (not niacin deficiency) significantly reduced the abundance of major bacterial taxa producing short-chain fatty acids, increased the abundance of probiotic taxa, and altered microbial function in the offspring. The negative effects of maternal nutritional deficiency on gut microbiota are more pronounced in the protein group than the niacin group and in offspring more than in female hamsters. Our results suggest that a low-protein diet could alter gut microbiota in animals, which may result in negative impacts on their fitness. It is necessary to conduct further analysis to reveal the roles of nutrition, as well as its interaction with gut microbes, in affecting fitness of greater long-tailed hamsters under field conditions. IMPORTANCE Gut microbes are known to be essential for hosts to digest food and absorb nutrients. Currently, it is still unclear how maternal nutrient deficiency affects the fitness of animals by its effect on gut microbes. Here, we evaluated the effects of protein- and niacin-deficient diets on mating behavior, reproduction, body growth, and gut microbiota of both mothers and offspring of the greater long-tailed hamster (Tscherskia triton) under laboratory conditions. We found that a low-protein diet significantly reduced maternal reproduction performance and body growth of both mothers and their offspring. Both protein and niacin deficiencies showed significant maternal effects on the microbial community of the offspring. Our results hint that nutritional deficiency may be a potential factor in causing the observed sustained population decline of the greater long-tailed hamsters due to intensified monoculture in the North China Plain, and this needs further field investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jidong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuli Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yvon Le Maho
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC, UMR 7178, Strasbourg, France
- Scientific Centre of Monaco, Monaco Principality, Monaco
| | - Caroline Habold
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC, UMR 7178, Strasbourg, France
| | - Zhibin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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Kletty F, Pelé M, Capber F, Habold C. Are All Conservation Measures for Endangered Species Legitimate? Lines of Thinking With the European Hamster. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.536937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
When dealing with the protection of an endangered species, it appears more and more important to address the ethical limits and the societal perception of the implemented conservation measures. This will be illustrated here through the example of conservation programs of the European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) in France. The main threats for this critically endangered rodent are the impoverishment and fragmentation of its habitat due to recent changes in agricultural practices and urbanization. Thus, the status of this species changed from harmful to endangered in only a few decades. This must lead to acceptance of the species by citizens and especially farmers paid to destroy this species until the 1990s while nowadays to protect it. To stem the decline, several measures have been taken through the last 20 years including population reinforcement, wild animal tracking, and implementation of suitable habitats. One can, therefore, discuss the efficiency of these measures and their integration in the entire socio-ecosystem. Population reinforcement and the questions that can arise from it will first be addressed. Secondly, in situ animal monitoring and implications of the methods used will be discussed. Third, we will deal with agricultural practices favorable to the species. Finally, we will highlight the links between European hamster conservation measures and wider problematics.
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Tissier ML, Marchandeau S, Habold C, Handrich Y, Eidenschenck J, Kourkgy C. Weeds as a predominant food source: a review of the diet of common hamsters
Cricetus cricetus
in farmlands and urban habitats. Mamm Rev 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde L. Tissier
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage Au bord du Rhin F‐67150 Gerstheim France
| | | | - Caroline Habold
- Université de StrasbourgCNRSIPHC UMR 7178 F‐67000 Strasbourg France
| | - Yves Handrich
- Université de StrasbourgCNRSIPHC UMR 7178 F‐67000 Strasbourg France
| | - Julien Eidenschenck
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage Au bord du Rhin F‐67150 Gerstheim France
| | - Charlotte Kourkgy
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage Au bord du Rhin F‐67150 Gerstheim France
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