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Hu Q, Luo J, Cheng F, Wang P, Gong P, Lv X, Wang X, Yang M, Wei P. Spatial profiles of the bacterial microbiota throughout the gastrointestinal tract of dairy goats. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:356. [PMID: 38822843 PMCID: PMC11144141 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13200-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is stationed by a dynamic and complex microbial community with functions in digestion, metabolism, immunomodulation, and reproduction. However, there is relatively little research on the composition and function of microorganisms in different GIT segments in dairy goats. Herein, 80 chyme samples were taken from ten GIT sites of eight Xinong Saanen dairy goats and then analyzed and identified the microbial composition via 16S rRNA V1-V9 amplicon sequencing. A total of 6669 different operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were clustered, and 187 OTUs were shared by ten GIT segments. We observed 264 species belonging to 23 different phyla scattered across ten GITs, with Firmicutes (52.42%) and Bacteroidetes (22.88%) predominating. The results revealed obvious location differences in the composition, diversity, and function of the GIT microbiota. In LEfSe analysis, unidentified_Lachnospiraceae and unidentified_Succinniclassicum were significantly enriched in the four chambers of stomach, with functions in carbohydrate fermentation to compose short-chain fatty acids. Aeriscardovia, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, and Romboutsia were significantly higher in the foregut, playing an important role in synthesizing enzymes, amino acids, and vitamins and immunomodulation. Akkermansia, Bacteroides, and Alistipes were significantly abundant in the hindgut to degrade polysaccharides and oligosaccharides, etc. From rumen to rectum, α-diversity decreased first and then increased, while β-diversity showed the opposite trend. Metabolism was the major function of the GIT microbiome predicted by PICRUSt2, but with variation in target substrates along the regions. In summary, GIT segments play a decisive role in the composition and functions of microorganisms. KEY POINTS: • The jejunum and ileum were harsh for microorganisms to colonize due to the presence of bile acids, enzymes, faster chyme circulation, etc., exhibiting the lowest α-diversity and the highest β-diversity. • Variability in microbial profiles between the three foregut segments was greater than four chambers of stomach and hindgut, with a higher abundance of Firmicutes dominating than others. • Dairy goats dominated a higher abundance of Kiritimatiellaeota than cows, which was reported to be associated with fatty acid synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyong Hu
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Molecular Biology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Luo
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Molecular Biology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, 712100, People's Republic of China.
| | - Fei Cheng
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Molecular Biology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Wang
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Molecular Biology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Gong
- Institute of Animal Husbandry Quality Standards, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Husbandry Science, Urumqi Xinjiang, 830000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuefeng Lv
- Institute of Animal Husbandry Quality Standards, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Husbandry Science, Urumqi Xinjiang, 830000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinpei Wang
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Molecular Biology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Yang
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Molecular Biology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengbo Wei
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Molecular Biology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, 712100, People's Republic of China
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Raspa F, Chessa S, Bergero D, Sacchi P, Ferrocino I, Cocolin L, Corvaglia MR, Moretti R, Cavallini D, Valle E. Microbiota characterization throughout the digestive tract of horses fed a high-fiber vs. a high-starch diet. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1386135. [PMID: 38807937 PMCID: PMC11130486 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1386135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Diet is one of the main factors influencing the intestinal microbiota in horses, yet a systematic characterization of the microbiota along the length of the digestive tract in clinically healthy horses, homogenous for age and breed and receiving a specific diet is lacking. Methods The study used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to characterize the microbiota of the intestinal tracts of 19 healthy Bardigiano horses of 14.3 ± 0.7 months of age fed one of two diets. Nine horses received a high-starch diet (HS), and ten horses received a high-fiber diet (HF). After 129 days, the horses were slaughtered, and samples were collected from the different intestinal tract compartments. Results and discussion The microbiota alpha diversity indices were lower in the caecum, pelvic flexure and right dorsal colon of the horses fed the HS diet (False Discovery Rate, FDR < 0.05). The values of beta diversity indicated significant compositional differences between the studied intestinal tract compartments according to the diet received (FDR < 0.05). At the lower taxonomic level (genus or family), the HS diet was associated with a higher relative frequency of Enterobacteriaceae within the small intestine (jejunum and duodenum) (FDR < 0.05). Within the hindgut (caecum and sternal flexure), the HS diet was associated with lower relative frequencies (i.e., a smaller core community) of bacteria belonging to Fibrobacteraceae and Prevotellaceae (FDR < 0.05). Moreover, horses fed the HS diet displayed a higher relative abundance of Streptococcus in the caecum (FDR < 0.05) and Fusobacterium in the sternal flexure (FDR < 0.05), both of which are pathogenic bacteria responsible for inflammation diseases. Samples collected from the pelvic flexure and rectum of horses fed the HS diet showed significantly higher relative frequencies of Succinivibrionaceae (FDR < 0.05) - amylolytic bacteria associated with acidosis. The relative frequencies of the Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae were lower in the feces collected from the rectum of horses receiving the HS diet vs. HF diet, indicating smaller core communities of these bacteria (FDR < 0.05). Fibrous diets should be promoted to prevent dysbiosis of the microbiota associated with high-starch diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Raspa
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Stefania Chessa
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Domenico Bergero
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Paola Sacchi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Ilario Ferrocino
- Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Food Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Luca Cocolin
- Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Food Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Corvaglia
- Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Food Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Riccardo Moretti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Damiano Cavallini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emanuela Valle
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
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Whitfield-Cargile CM, Chung HC, Coleman MC, Cohen ND, Chamoun-Emanuelli AM, Ivanov I, Goldsby JS, Davidson LA, Gaynanova I, Ni Y, Chapkin RS. Integrated analysis of gut metabolome, microbiome, and exfoliome data in an equine model of intestinal injury. MICROBIOME 2024; 12:74. [PMID: 38622632 PMCID: PMC11017594 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-024-01785-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The equine gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome has been described in the context of various diseases. The observed changes, however, have not been linked to host function and therefore it remains unclear how specific changes in the microbiome alter cellular and molecular pathways within the GI tract. Further, non-invasive techniques to examine the host gene expression profile of the GI mucosa have been described in horses but not evaluated in response to interventions. Therefore, the objectives of our study were to (1) profile gene expression and metabolomic changes in an equine model of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced intestinal inflammation and (2) apply computational data integration methods to examine host-microbiota interactions. METHODS Twenty horses were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups (n = 10): control (placebo paste) or NSAID (phenylbutazone 4.4 mg/kg orally once daily for 9 days). Fecal samples were collected on days 0 and 10 and analyzed with respect to microbiota (16S rDNA gene sequencing), metabolomic (untargeted metabolites), and host exfoliated cell transcriptomic (exfoliome) changes. Data were analyzed and integrated using a variety of computational techniques, and underlying regulatory mechanisms were inferred from features that were commonly identified by all computational approaches. RESULTS Phenylbutazone induced alterations in the microbiota, metabolome, and host transcriptome. Data integration identified correlation of specific bacterial genera with expression of several genes and metabolites that were linked to oxidative stress. Concomitant microbiota and metabolite changes resulted in the initiation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response within the intestinal mucosa. CONCLUSIONS Results of integrative analysis identified an important role for oxidative stress, and subsequent cell signaling responses, in a large animal model of GI inflammation. The computational approaches for combining non-invasive platforms for unbiased assessment of host GI responses (e.g., exfoliomics) with metabolomic and microbiota changes have broad application for the field of gastroenterology. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Whitfield-Cargile
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - H C Chung
- Department of Statistics, College of Arts & Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Mathematics & Statistics Department, College of Science, University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - M C Coleman
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - N D Cohen
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - A M Chamoun-Emanuelli
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - I Ivanov
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - J S Goldsby
- Program in Integrative Nutrition & Complex Diseases, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - L A Davidson
- Program in Integrative Nutrition & Complex Diseases, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - I Gaynanova
- Department of Statistics, College of Arts & Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Y Ni
- Department of Statistics, College of Arts & Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - R S Chapkin
- Program in Integrative Nutrition & Complex Diseases, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Cooke CG, Gibb Z, Grupen CG, Schemann K, Deshpande N, Harnett JE. Effect of probiotics and prebiotics on the composition of the equine fecal and seminal microbiomes and sperm quality: A pilot study. J Equine Vet Sci 2024; 135:105032. [PMID: 38401778 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Probiotic and prebiotic effects on equine semen and gastrointestinal microbiome composition and sperm quality are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pre-, pro- or synbiotic supplementation on fecal and semen microbiome composition and sperm quality parameters of stallions. This Latin square crossover trial involved four miniature pony stallions receiving control diet only, or addition of a pro-, pre- or synbiotic formulation. Full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used to measure diversity of semen and fecal microbiomes. Total sperm count, total motility, progressive motility, DNA integrity, lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial oxidative stress, biomarkers of sperm quality, were measured after each intervention. A general linear model was employed to analyse and compare microbiome diversity measures and sperm quality data across four time points. Shannon's diversity index (alpha-diversity), and evenness of semen and gastrointestinal microbiomes were significantly different (p<0.001). A trend was observed for prebiotic effects on the diversity indices of the GI microbiome (p= 0.07). No effects of treatments were observed on either semen microbiome or sperm quality. Pre-, pro- and synbiotic supplements showed no negative effect on sperm quality parameters observed. This proof of concept provides preliminary data to inform future studies exploring the relationship between microbiomes and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Giselle Cooke
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
| | - Zamira Gibb
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, 2308, Australia
| | - Christopher G Grupen
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, 2570, Australia
| | - Kathrin Schemann
- Sydney Informatics Hub, Core Research Facilities, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Nandan Deshpande
- Sydney Informatics Hub, Core Research Facilities, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Joanna E Harnett
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
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Cooke CG, Gibb Z, Grupen CG, Schemann K, Deshpande N, Harnett JE. The semen microbiome of miniature pony stallions. Reprod Fertil Dev 2024; 36:RD23117. [PMID: 38331564 DOI: 10.1071/rd23117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Little is known about the microbial composition of stallion semen. AIMS To describe the microbiota detected in equine semen of healthy miniature pony stallions. METHODS Semen specimens were collected using a Missouri artificial vagina at a single time point. PacBio (Pacific Biosciences) genomic DNA sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was performed on these specimens, following which next-generation microbiome bioinformatics platform QIIME2 was used to process fastq files and analyse the amplicon data. The data were categorised into genus, family, class, order and phylum. KEY RESULTS Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla predominated (76%), followed by Proteobacteria (15%). Bacteroidales, Clostridiales and Cardiobacteriales predominated the microbial rank of order (86%). Class was mainly composed of Bacteroidia, Clostridia and Gammaproteobacteria (87%), while family was mainly composed of Porphyromonadaceae , Family_XI and Cardiobacteriaceae (62%). At the level of genus, 80% of the abundance was composed of seven genera, namely Porphyromonas, Suttonella, Peptoniphilus, Fastidiosipila, Ezakiella, Petrimonas and an unknown taxon. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that specific microbiota may be characteristic of healthy miniature pony stallions' semen with some inter-individual variations observed. IMPLICATIONS Larger equine studies involving fertile and infertile subjects could be informed by this study and could explore the relationship of the semen microbiome to male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Giselle Cooke
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Zamira Gibb
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Christopher G Grupen
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia
| | - Kathrin Schemann
- Sydney Informatics Hub, Core Research Facilities, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Nandan Deshpande
- Sydney Informatics Hub, Core Research Facilities, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Joanna E Harnett
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Bull K, Davies G, Jenkins TP, Peachey L. The faecal microbiome of Exmoor ponies shows step-wise compositional changes with increasing levels of management by humans. Equine Vet J 2024; 56:159-170. [PMID: 37264698 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Horses can suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) disease in domestic environments, often precipitated by human-led changes in management. Understanding the consequences of these changes on equine gut microbiota is key to the prevention of such disease episodes. OBJECTIVE Profile the faecal microbiota of adult female Exmoor ponies under three management conditions, representing increasing levels of management by humans, encompassing different diets; whilst controlling for age, breed and sex. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional descriptive. METHODS Faecal samples were collected from three populations of Exmoor ponies kept under contrasting management conditions: 29 adult female ponies in groups with low management (LM) (n = 10), medium management (MM) (n = 10) and high management (HM) (n = 9) levels, based on diet, drug use, handling and exercise. Faecal microbial composition was profiled via high-throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, and functional metagenome predictions. RESULTS We observed profound step-wise changes in microbiome structure in the transition from LM to MM to HM. A relatively high abundance of Proteobacteria and Tenericutes was associated with the HM group; higher abundance of Methanobacteria was observed in the LM group. The MM group had intermediate levels of these taxa and exhibited high 'within group' variation in alpha diversity. Functional predictions revealed increased amino acid and lipid metabolism in HM; energy metabolism in LM and carbohydrate metabolism and immune/metabolic disease pathways in MM. MAIN LIMITATIONS Low group sizes, incomplete knowledge of bacterial genomes in equine gut microbiota and it was not possible to assess the relative impact of diet, drug use, handling and exercise on the microbiome as variables were confounded. CONCLUSIONS Human-led management factors had profound step-wise effects on faecal microbial composition. Based on functional metagenome predictions, we hypothesise that dietary differences between groups were the major driver of observed differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Bull
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Gareth Davies
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Timothy P Jenkins
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Laura Peachey
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Zhu X, Yang C, Song Y, Qiang Y, Han D, Zhang C. Changes provoked by altitudes and cooking methods in physicochemical properties, volatile profile, and sensory characteristics of yak meat. Food Chem X 2023; 20:101019. [PMID: 38144763 PMCID: PMC10739933 DOI: 10.1016/j.fochx.2023.101019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to shed light on the effects of altitudes and three cooking methods (boiling, steaming, and roasting) on the physicochemical quality, volatile profile, and sensorial characteristics of yak meat. Composite meat samples were prepared to represent each cooking method and altitude level from the longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle of nine yaks. The techniques employed were gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and electronic nose (E-nose) along with chemometrics analysis to study the changes occurring in yak volatile profile, and TBARS measurement in lipid oxidation during cooking. Among the cooking methods, boiling and steaming exhibited higher protein and fat content while lower volatile compound contents. Additionally, roasted yak meat received the highest sensory scores, along with decreased L*-values, while elevated a*- and b*-values, and tenderness. A total of 138 volatile compounds were detected, and among them, 36 odorants were identified as odor-active compounds in cooked yak meat. It is evidenced that low-altitude yak presented more complex and richer flavor profiles than high-altitude ones. Moreover, yak meat from low- and high-altitude was classified into two groups by an electronic nose (E-nose) owing to distinct flavor characteristics. Overall, roasted yak meat originating from low altitudes tends to be more popular from a sensory perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xijin Zhu
- Laboratory of Agro-Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu 7301070, PR China
| | - Chao Yang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu 7301070, PR China
- College of Food Science and Technology, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Yu Song
- Laboratory of Agro-Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Yu Qiang
- Laboratory of Agro-Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Dong Han
- Laboratory of Agro-Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Chunhui Zhang
- Laboratory of Agro-Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
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Cain JL, Norris JK, Swan MP, Nielsen MK. A diverse microbial community and common core microbiota associated with the gonad of female Parascaris spp. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:56. [PMID: 38105374 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08086-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The microbiome plays an important role in health, where changes in microbiota composition can have significant downstream effects within the host, and host-microbiota relationships can be exploited to affect health outcomes. Parasitic helminths affect animals globally, but an exploration of their microbiota has been limited, despite the development of anti-Wolbachia drugs to help control infections with some filarial nematodes. The equine ascarids, Parascaris spp., are considered the most pathogenic nematodes affecting juvenile horses and are also the only ascarid parasite to have developed widespread anthelmintic resistance. The aim of this study was to characterize the microbiota of this helminth, focusing on the female gonad, determine a core microbiota for this organ, identify bacterial species, and show bacterial localization to the female gonad via in situ hybridization (ISH). A total of 22 gonads were isolated from female Parascaris spp. collected from three foals, and 9 female parasites were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded for ISH. Next-generation sequencing was performed using V3-V4 primers as well as the Swift Amplicon™ 16S+ ITS Panel. Overall, ten genera were identified as members of the Parascaris spp. female gonad and twelve bacterial species were identified. The most prevalent genus was Mycoplasma, followed by Reyranella, and there were no differences in alpha diversity between parasites from different horses. Specific eubacteria staining was identified in both the intestine and within the gonad using ISH. Overall, this study provided in-depth information regarding the female Parascaris spp. microbiota and was the first to identify the core microbiota within a specific parasite organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Cain
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY, 40503, USA.
| | - Jamie K Norris
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY, 40503, USA
| | - Melissa P Swan
- University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, 1490 Bull Lea Road, Lexington, KY, 40511, USA
| | - Martin K Nielsen
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY, 40503, USA
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Zhao Y, Ren X, Wu H, Hu H, Cheng C, Du M, Huang Y, Zhao X, Wang L, Yi L, Tao J, Li Y, Lin Y, Su S, Dugarjaviin M. Diversity and functional prediction of fungal communities in different segments of mongolian horse gastrointestinal tracts. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:253. [PMID: 37689675 PMCID: PMC10492400 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-03001-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaerobic fungi are effective fibre-degrading microorganisms in the digestive tract of horses. However, our understanding of their diversity and community structure is limited, especially in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. RESULTS For the first time, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to analyse and predict fungal microbial diversity in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract of Mongolian horses. The results revealed that the richness and diversity of fungi in the hindgut of Mongolian horses were much higher than those in the foregut. The foregut was dominated by Basidiomycota and Ascomycota, whereas the hindgut was dominated by Neocallimastigomycota and Basidiomycota. At the genus level, the relative abundance of many pathogenic fungi (Cryptococcus, Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Sarocladium) in the foregut was significantly higher than that in the posterior gut, indicating that Mongolian horses have strong disease resistance. The prediction of fungal function also showed significant differences in the fungal flora between the foregut and the hindgut. The fungi in Mongolian horses' foreguts were mainly pathologically nutritive and contained many animal and plant pathogens, particularly in the small intestine (jejunum and ileum). This indicates that the foregut may be the most important immune site in the digestive system of Mongolian horses, which explains the high disease resistance of Mongolian horses. The number of unassigned functional groups in the posterior gut was significantly higher than that in the anterior gut, indicating that the functions of fungal groups in the posterior gut have not been fully explored, and further studies are required in the future. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of high-throughput sequencing results revealed that the fungal composition varied greatly among different gastrointestinal tract segments in Mongolian horses, whose hindgut contains many anaerobic fungi involved in plant cellulose degradation. This provides important basic data for studying fungal diversity in the digestive system of healthy horses, which can be used for the health assessment of horses and provides clues for further research on the disease resistance and digestive capacity of horses, as well as a reference for the early diagnosis of intestinal diseases and innovative treatment methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiping Zhao
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Equine Research Centre, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Xiujuan Ren
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Equine Research Centre, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Haiqing Wu
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Biotechnology Research Centre, Hohhot, 010031, China
| | - He Hu
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Biotechnology Research Centre, Hohhot, 010031, China
| | - Chao Cheng
- College of Life Science and Technology, Jining Normal University, Ulanqab, 012000, China
| | - Ming Du
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Equine Research Centre, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Yao Huang
- Education Department, Baotou Light Industry Vocational Technical College, Baotou, China
| | - Xiaoqing Zhao
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Biotechnology Research Centre, Hohhot, 010031, China
| | - Liwei Wang
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Biotechnology Research Centre, Hohhot, 010031, China
| | - Liuxi Yi
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Equine Research Centre, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Jinshan Tao
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Equine Research Centre, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Yajing Li
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Equine Research Centre, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Yanan Lin
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Equine Research Centre, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Shaofeng Su
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Equine Research Centre, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China.
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Biotechnology Research Centre, Hohhot, 010031, China.
| | - Manglai Dugarjaviin
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Equine Research Centre, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China.
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10
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Lagounova M, MacNicol JL, Weese JS, Pearson W. The Effect of Dietary Synbiotics in Actively Racing Standardbred Horses Receiving Trimethoprim/Sulfadiazine. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2344. [PMID: 37508120 PMCID: PMC10376248 DOI: 10.3390/ani13142344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Synbiotics are often provided to horses receiving antibiotics to protect against microbiome disturbances, despite a lack of evidence for efficacy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a synbiotic product in horses receiving antibiotics. Sixteen actively racing Standardbred horses were randomly allocated (four-way crossover) to one of four groups: antibiotics (10 days; AB), synbiotics (28 days; PROBIOPlusTM; PBP), PBP + AB, or Control. The fecal microbiome was investigated using 16S rRNA sequencing, and fecal dry matter (DM; %), pH, and scores (FS; 0-9) were measured. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA. Results found microbiota differences in community membership between PBP + AB and all other treatments during and after antibiotic treatment. During antibiotic treatment, AB and PBP + AB were significantly different from Control. After antibiotic treatment, PBP + AB was significantly different from all other treatments. The few differences found in relative abundance of phyla or predominant genera were mostly in fiber degrading bacteria. The Fibrobacter population was significantly higher in AB and PBP + AB horses than Control. Unclassified Ruminococcaceae was significantly higher in Control than AB and PBP. After antibiotic treatment, PBP + AB horses were significantly higher than PBP horses. In conclusion, these data provide support for the ability of PROBIOPlus™ to maintain healthy gastrointestinal microbiome during antibiotic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lagounova
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Jennifer L MacNicol
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - J Scott Weese
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Wendy Pearson
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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11
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Julliand S, Buttet M, Hermange T, Hillon P, Julliand V. Effect of diet composition on glandular gastric disease in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2023; 37:1528-1536. [PMID: 37264707 PMCID: PMC10365063 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nutritional factors are suggested to influence the incidence and severity of glandular gastric disease (GGD) in horses. OBJECTIVES To retrospectively assess whether dietary fermentable carbohydrates increase the severity of GGD and to prospectively evaluate whether the partial substitution of concentrates by dehydrated alfalfa would decrease GGD severity scores. ANIMALS In total, 82 trotters from 4 training centers exercised ≥5 days/week. METHODS Multicenter retrospective observational study, and prospective 2-arm randomized trial. Glandular mucosae were observed by gastroscopy and scored (0-4 severity scale) at day 0 (D0). Biochemical composition of the diet fed was compared between ulcerated and nonulcerated groups. After D0, horses either received the same diet (control, n = 41) or pelleted dehydrated alfalfa substituting 50% concentrates (alfalfa, n = 41). Glandular scores were recorded in both groups after 21 (D21) and 42 days (D42). The first end point was a successful outcome, defined as a horse with a glandular score of 2 to 4 on D0, decreasing to a score of 0 to 1 on days 21 or 42. RESULTS Horses scored 0 to 1 at D0 ingested more (P = .01) soluble sugars from concentrates than those scored 2 to 4 before D0 (77.5 g/kg BW; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 71.1-84.0, vs 59.1 g/kg BW; 95% CI: 48.0-70.3), whereas starch intake did not differ between groups (P = .24). Among horses scored 2 to 4 at D0, fewer were scored 2 to 4 in the alfalfa group (1 out of 6) compared with the control group (6 out of 6) at D42 (P = .02). Clinical success was 47.7 times more likely in horses fed alfalfa compared with horses in the control group (95% CI: 1.6-1422.8). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Relationships were found between diet composition and integrity of the glandular mucosa. Feeding pelleted dehydrated alfalfa could help to reduce the incidence and severity of GGD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tanguy Hermange
- Centre Hospitalier Vétérinaire Equin de LivetLivarot‐Pays‐d'AugeFrance
| | - Patrick Hillon
- University of Bourgogne‐Franche ComtéDijonFrance
- INSERM U1231, Lipids, Nutrition, CancerDijonFrance
- Department of HepatogastroenterologyUniversity HospitalDijonFrance
| | - Véronique Julliand
- UMR PAM A 02.102DijonFrance
- University of Bourgogne‐Franche ComtéDijonFrance
- Agrosup DijonDijonFrance
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12
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Arnold CE, Pilla R. What Is the Microbiota and What Is Its Role in Colic? Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2023:S0749-0739(23)00016-0. [PMID: 37121786 DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The fecal microbiome of the horse is reflective of the large colon and plays an important role in the health of the horse. The microbes of the gastrointestinal tract digest fiber and produce energy for the host. Healthy horses have Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Verrucromicrobia as the most common phyla. During gastrointestinal disease such as colic or colitis, the microbiome shows less diversity and changes in bacterial community composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn E Arnold
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, 7671 Evans Street, Amarillo, Texas 79106, USA.
| | - Rachel Pilla
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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13
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Theelen MJP, Luiken REC, Wagenaar JA, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Rossen JWA, Schaafstra FJWC, van Doorn DA, Zomer AL. Longitudinal study of the short- and long-term effects of hospitalisation and oral trimethoprim-sulfadiazine administration on the equine faecal microbiome and resistome. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:33. [PMID: 36850017 PMCID: PMC9969626 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01465-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospitalisation and antimicrobial treatment are common in horses and significantly impact the intestinal microbiota. Antimicrobial treatment might also increase levels of resistant bacteria in faeces, which could spread to other ecological compartments, such as the environment, other animals and humans. In this study, we aimed to characterise the short- and long-term effects of transportation, hospitalisation and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (TMS) administration on the faecal microbiota and resistome of healthy equids. METHODS In a longitudinal experimental study design, in which the ponies served as their own control, faecal samples were collected from six healthy Welsh ponies at the farm (D0-D13-1), immediately following transportation to the hospital (D13-2), during 7 days of hospitalisation without treatment (D14-D21), during 5 days of oral TMS treatment (D22-D26) and after discharge from the hospital up to 6 months later (D27-D211). After DNA extraction, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on all samples. For resistome analysis, shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed on selected samples. RESULTS Hospitalisation without antimicrobial treatment did not significantly affect microbiota composition. Oral TMS treatment reduced alpha-diversity significantly. Kiritimatiellaeota, Fibrobacteres and Verrucomicrobia significantly decreased in relative abundance, whereas Firmicutes increased. The faecal microbiota composition gradually recovered after discontinuation of TMS treatment and discharge from the hospital and, after 2 weeks, was more similar to pre-treatment composition than to composition during TMS treatment. Six months later, however, microbiota composition still differed significantly from that at the start of the study and Spirochaetes and Verrucomicrobia were less abundant. TMS administration led to a significant (up to 32-fold) and rapid increase in the relative abundance of resistance genes sul2, tetQ, ant6-1a, and aph(3")-lb. lnuC significantly decreased directly after treatment. Resistance genes sul2 (15-fold) and tetQ (six-fold) remained significantly increased 6 months later. CONCLUSIONS Oral treatment with TMS has a rapid and long-lasting effect on faecal microbiota composition and resistome, making the equine hindgut a reservoir and potential source of resistant bacteria posing a risk to animal and human health through transmission. These findings support the judicious use of antimicrobials to minimise long-term faecal presence, excretion and the spread of antimicrobial resistance in the environment. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathijs J. P. Theelen
- Department of Clinical Sciences (Equine Sciences), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences (Infectious Diseases and Immunology), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Roosmarijn E. C. Luiken
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences (Infectious Diseases and Immunology), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jaap A. Wagenaar
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences (Infectious Diseases and Immunology), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Campylobacter and Antimicrobial Resistance from a One Health Perspective/OIE Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - John W. A. Rossen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, 15 North Medical Drive East, Ste #1100, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 USA
| | - Femke J. W. C. Schaafstra
- HAS University of Applied Sciences, Onderwijsboulevard 221, 5223 DE ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands
- Department of Population Health Sciences (Farm Animal Health), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - David A. van Doorn
- Department of Clinical Sciences (Equine Sciences), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Population Health Sciences (Farm Animal Health), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Aldert L. Zomer
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences (Infectious Diseases and Immunology), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Campylobacter and Antimicrobial Resistance from a One Health Perspective/OIE Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
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14
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Boisseau M, Dhorne-Pollet S, Bars-Cortina D, Courtot É, Serreau D, Annonay G, Lluch J, Gesbert A, Reigner F, Sallé G, Mach N. Species interactions, stability, and resilience of the gut microbiota - Helminth assemblage in horses. iScience 2023; 26:106044. [PMID: 36818309 PMCID: PMC9929684 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The nature and strength of interactions entertained among helminths and their host gut microbiota remain largely unexplored. Using 40 naturally infected Welsh ponies, we tracked the gut microbiota-cyathostomin temporal dynamics and stability before and following anthelmintic treatment and the associated host blood transcriptomic response. High shedders harbored 14 species of cyathostomins, dominated by Cylicocyclus nassatus. They exhibited a highly diverse and temporal dynamic gut microbiota, with butyrate-producing Clostridia likely driving the ecosystem steadiness and host tolerance toward cyathostomins infection. However, anthelmintic administration sharply bent the microbial community. It disrupted the ecosystem stability and the time-dependent network of interactions, affecting longer term microbial resilience. These observations highlight how anthelmintic treatments alter the triangular relationship of parasite, host, and gut microbiota and open new perspectives for adding nutritional intervention to current parasite management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Boisseau
- , Université de Tours, INRAE, UMR1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique, 37380 Nouzilly, France,IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 31076 Toulouse, France
| | - Sophie Dhorne-Pollet
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - David Bars-Cortina
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Élise Courtot
- , Université de Tours, INRAE, UMR1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Delphine Serreau
- , Université de Tours, INRAE, UMR1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Gwenolah Annonay
- INRAE, US UMR 1426, Genomic platform, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Jérôme Lluch
- INRAE, US UMR 1426, Genomic platform, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Amandine Gesbert
- INRAE, UE Physiologie Animale de l’Orfrasière, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Fabrice Reigner
- INRAE, UE Physiologie Animale de l’Orfrasière, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Guillaume Sallé
- , Université de Tours, INRAE, UMR1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique, 37380 Nouzilly, France,Corresponding author
| | - Núria Mach
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France,IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 31076 Toulouse, France,Corresponding author
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15
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Loublier C, Taminiau B, Heinen J, Lecoq L, Amory H, Daube G, Cesarini C. Evaluation of Bacterial Composition and Viability of Equine Feces after Processing for Transplantation. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020231. [PMID: 36838196 PMCID: PMC9966902 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been used empirically for decades in equine medicine to treat intestinal dysbiosis but evidence-based information is scarce. This in vitro study aimed at assessing the effect of a commonly used pre-FMT processing method on the bacterial composition and viability of the fecal filtrate. Three samples of fresh equine manure (T0) were processed identically: the initial manure was mixed with 1 L of lukewarm water and chopped using an immersion blender to obtain a mixture (T1), which was left uncovered during 30 min (T2) and percolated through a sieve to obtain a fecal filtrate (T3). Samples were taken throughout the procedure (Tn) and immediately stored at 4 °C until processing. The 16S rDNA amplicon profiling associated with propidium monoazide treatment was performed on each sample to select live bacteria. Analyses of α and β diversity and main bacterial populations and quantitative (qPCR) analysis were performed and statistically compared (significance p < 0.05) between time points (T0-T3). No significant differences in ecological indices or mean estimated total living bacteria were found in the final fecal filtrate (T3) in regard to the original manure (T0); however, relative abundances of some minor genera (Fibrobacter, WCHB1-41_ge and Akkermansia) were significantly different in the final filtrate. In conclusion, the results support the viability of the major bacterial populations in equine feces when using the described pre-FMT protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Loublier
- Equine Clinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Bât. B41, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Bernard Taminiau
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Department of Food Sciences—Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Avenue de Cureghem 10, Bât. B43b, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Julia Heinen
- Equine Clinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Bât. B41, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Laureline Lecoq
- Equine Clinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Bât. B41, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Hélène Amory
- Equine Clinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Bât. B41, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Georges Daube
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Department of Food Sciences—Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Avenue de Cureghem 10, Bât. B43b, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Carla Cesarini
- Equine Clinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Bât. B41, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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16
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Chapuis RJJ, Becker AAMJ, Dowling PM, Weese JS. Characterisation of faecal microbiota in horses medicated with oral doxycycline hyclate. Equine Vet J 2023; 55:129-141. [PMID: 35202500 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial-associated diarrhoea is a common adverse effect of antimicrobial treatment in horses and has been reported following the administration of oral doxycycline. The administration of antimicrobials has also been associated with changes in the equine intestinal microbiota diversity yet has not been explored under doxycycline treatment. OBJECTIVES To describe the dynamics of the faecal microbial diversity following a 5-day oral administration of doxycycline in healthy horses with Streptococcus zooepidemicus infected tissue chambers. STUDY DESIGN Experimental prospective cohort study in a single horse group. METHODS Seven healthy adult horses with S. zooepidemicus infected tissue chambers received oral doxycycline at 10 mg/kg q 12 h for 5-days following the tissue chamber inoculation. Faeces were collected prior to the tissue chamber inoculation and until 28-days post inoculation. Faecal microbiota was characterised by high throughput sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene on the Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform. Bioinformatic analysis was performed with Mothur and statistical analysis were conducted on R Studio. RESULTS A significant decrease in alpha diversity, characterised by a decrease of richness and diversity, and a decrease in beta diversity, characterised by changes in relative abundance, occurred after initiation of and during the administration of doxycycline. A decrease in Verrucomicrobia and increase in Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio occurred following the initiation of treatment, with a return to initial Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio during the treatment. It took 23 days after discontinuing the treatment for the faecal microbiota to return close to the initial state. MAIN LIMITATIONS Lack of control population within the study. CONCLUSIONS Transitory intestinal dysbiosis occurs under oral administration of doxycycline in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronan J J Chapuis
- Clinical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.,Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Anne A M J Becker
- Clinical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.,Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patricia M Dowling
- Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - J Scott Weese
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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17
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Battaglia F, Bonelli F, Sgorbini M, Intorre L, Minunni M, Scarano S, Meucci V. Molecularly imprinted polymers as effective capturing receptors in a pseudo-ELISA immunoassay for procalcitonin detection in veterinary species. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2022; 15:27-35. [PMID: 36484203 DOI: 10.1039/d2ay01175a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a new sandwich-type immunoenzymatic assay, based on a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as an artificial antibody (pseudo-ELISA), was developed for the determination of procalcitonin (PCT) in veterinary species. The quantification of PCT in human medicine represents the state of the art for the diagnosis of sepsis; instead the clinical studies on the relevance of PCT as a sepsis predictor in veterinary patients are few, likely due to the total absence of validated assays. MIPs have been widely used as antibody mimics for important applications, and MIP-based sandwich assays have emerged as promising analytical tools for the detection of disease biomarkers. Herein, a polynorepinephrine (PNE)-based imprinted film was directly synthesized on the well surface of a 96-well plate. Subsequently, based on a commercial ELISA kit, the PCT quantification was accomplished via a colorimetric sandwich assay by replacing the capture antibody of the kit with the PNE-based MIP. This method was performed to detect canine and equine PCT in buffer and in plasma samples. Under optimal conditions, the results obtained in plasma samples showed a limit of detection (LOD) of 5.87 ng mL-1 and a reproducibility (CVav%) of 10.0% for canine samples, while a LOD = 4.46 ng mL-1 and CVav% = 7.61% were obtained for equine samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Battaglia
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, 56122 Via Livornese, PI, Italy.
| | - Francesca Bonelli
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, 56122 Via Livornese, PI, Italy.
| | - Micaela Sgorbini
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, 56122 Via Livornese, PI, Italy.
| | - Luigi Intorre
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, 56122 Via Livornese, PI, Italy.
| | - Maria Minunni
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.
| | - Simona Scarano
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.
| | - Valentina Meucci
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, 56122 Via Livornese, PI, Italy.
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18
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Chaucheyras-Durand F, Sacy A, Karges K, Apper E. Gastro-Intestinal Microbiota in Equines and Its Role in Health and Disease: The Black Box Opens. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122517. [PMID: 36557769 PMCID: PMC9783266 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Horses are large non-ruminant herbivores and rely on microbial fermentation for energy, with more than half of their maintenance energy requirement coming from microbial fermentation occurring in their enlarged caecum and colon. To achieve that, the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) of horses harbors a broad range of various microorganisms, differing in each GIT segment, which are essential for efficient utilization of feed, especially to use nutrients that are not or little degraded by endogenous enzymes. In addition, like in other animal species, the GIT microbiota is in permanent interplay with the host's cells and is involved in a lot of functions among which inflammation, immune homeostasis, and energy metabolism. As for other animals and humans, the horse gut microbiome is sensitive to diet, especially consumption of starch, fiber, and fat. Age, breeds, stress during competitions, transportation, and exercise may also impact the microbiome. Because of its size and its complexity, the equine GIT microbiota is prone to perturbations caused by external or internal stressors that may result in digestive diseases like gastric ulcer, diarrhea, colic, or colitis, and that are thought to be linked with systemic diseases like laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome or obesity. Thus, in this review we aim at understanding the common core microbiome -in terms of structure and function- in each segment of the GIT, as well as identifying potential microbial biomarkers of health or disease which are crucial to anticipate putative perturbations, optimize global practices and develop adapted nutritional strategies and personalized nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédérique Chaucheyras-Durand
- Lallemand SAS, 31702 Blagnac, France
- UMR MEDIS, INRAE, Université Clermont-Auvergne, 63122 Saint-Genès Champanelle, France
| | | | - Kip Karges
- Lallemand Specialities Inc., Milwaukee, WI 53218, USA
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Gomez DE, Wong D, MacNicol J, Dembek K. The fecal bacterial microbiota of healthy and sick newborn foals. Vet Med (Auckl) 2022; 37:315-322. [PMID: 36519210 PMCID: PMC9889700 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fecal bacterial microbiota of normal foals and foals with enterocolitis has been characterized using next-generation sequencing technology; however, there are no reports investigating the gut microbiota in foals hospitalized for other perinatal diseases. OBJECTIVE To describe and compare the fecal bacterial microbiota in healthy and sick foals using next-generation sequencing techniques. ANIMALS Hospitalized (17) and healthy foals (21). METHODS Case-control study. Fecal samples were collected from healthy and sick foals on admission. Sick foals were further divided into sick nonseptic (SNS, n = 9) and septic (n = 8) foals. After extraction of DNA, the V4 region of the 16 S rRNA gene was amplified using a PCR assay, and the final product was sequenced with an Illumina MiSeq. RESULTS Diversity was significantly lower in healthy than sick foals (P < .05). The bacterial membership (Jaccard index) and structure (Yue & Clayton index) of the fecal microbiota of healthy, septic, and SNS foals were similar (AMOVA, P > .05). Bacterial membership (AMOVA, P = .06) and structure (AMOVA, P = .33) were not different between healthy and sick foals. Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus, and Streptococcus were among the 5 more abundant taxa identified in both groups. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Higher fecal microbiota diversity in sick than healthy foals might suggest a high exposure to environmental microorganisms or an unstable colonic microbiota. The presence of microorganisms causing bacteremia in foals in a high relative abundance in the feces of foals suggests the intestine might play an essential role in the causation of bacteremia in foals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego E. Gomez
- Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary CollegeUniversity of GuelphGuelphOntarioCanada
| | - David Wong
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicineIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
| | - Jennifer MacNicol
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agriculture CollegeUniversity of GuelphGuelphOntarioCanada
| | - Katarzyna Dembek
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicineNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
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20
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Perricone V, Sandrini S, Irshad N, Comi M, Lecchi C, Savoini G, Agazzi A. The Role of Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Supporting Gut Health in Horses: An Updated Review on Its Effects on Digestibility and Intestinal and Fecal Microbiota. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243475. [PMID: 36552396 PMCID: PMC9774806 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To support the overall health of horses, it is essential to maintain an optimal gut health (GH) status, which encompasses several physiological and functional aspects, including the balance and functionality of intestinal microbial populations and, accordingly, the effective digestion and absorption of nutrients. Numerous biotic and abiotic stressors can lead to an imbalance of GH, such as the quality of forages and the composition of diet, e.g., the inclusion of high energy-dense feeds to meet the energy requirements of performance horses. To support the digestive function and the intestinal microbial populations, the diet can be supplemented with feed additives, such as probiotic yeasts, that promote the ability of cellulolytic bacteria in the hindgut to digest the available fiber fractions, finally increasing feed efficiency. Among the different yeasts available, S. cerevisiae is the most used in horses' nutrition; however, results of digestibility trials, as well as data on intestinal and fecal microbial populations, are sometimes contradictory. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to summarize the effects of S. cerevisiae on in vivo and in vitro digestibility, providing an updated overview of its effects on the intestinal and fecal microbial population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Perricone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Silvia Sandrini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Nida Irshad
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Marcello Comi
- Department of Human Science and Quality of Life Promotion, Università Telematica San Raffaele, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Lecchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Giovanni Savoini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Alessandro Agazzi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-50334506
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21
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Li XB, Huang XX, Li Q, Li XY, Li JH, Li C, He LJ, Jing HX, Yang KL. Effects of different grains on bacterial diversity and enzyme activity associated with digestion of starch in the foal stomach. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:407. [PMCID: PMC9670411 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03510-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Compared with the stomach of ruminant cattle, the stomach of horse is small and mainly for chemical digestion, but the microorganisms in the stomach play an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of the internal environment. Due to the complexity of the microbes in the stomach, little is known about the diversity and structure of bacteria in the equine stomach. Grains are the main energy source for plant-eating livestock and energy is derived through enzymatic hydrolysis of grains into glucose or their microbial fermentation into Volatile fatty acids (VFA). However, the mechanism through which these ingested grains are chemically digested as well as the effect of these grains on the stomach remains elusive. This study explored the effects of feeding different grains (corn, oats, and barley) on bacterial diversity, structure, and composition in the foal’s stomach content. Furthermore, the effects of different grains on the vitality of starch digestion-related stomach enzymes were investigated.
Results
No significant differences were observed (P > 0.05) in the bacterial rarefaction curves of Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) and diversity of the stomach microbiota in all foals. This study also revealed the statistical differences for Firmicutes, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria, Fibrobacteres, Lactobacillaceae, Streptococcaceae, Unidentified_Clostridiales, Prevotellaceae, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Unidentified_Cyanobacteria, Unidentified_Clostridiales, Lactococcus, Sphingomonas, Lactobacillus_hayakitensis, Lactobacillus_equigenerosi, and Clostridium_perfringens. The linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis revealed 9 bacteria at each classification level. The functional analysis of species information by using FAPROTAX software was able to predict 35 functions, and the top 5 functions were chemoheterotrophy, fermentation, animal_parasites_or_symbionts, nitrate_reduction, and aerobic_chemoheterotrophy. The study also revealed statistical differences for pH, glucose concentration, β-amylase, maltase, and amylase.
Conclusions
The different grains had no significant effect on the microbial diversity of the stomach content of the foal. However, the relative bacterial abundances differed significantly in response to different diets. Particularly, oats fed to the foals significantly increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Lactobacillaceae, Lactobacillus, and Lactobacillus_hayakitensis. The grain had no significant effect on the pH of the stomach content, glucose concentration, and enzyme viability in the foal.
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22
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The microbial community associated with Parascaris spp. infecting juvenile horses. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:408. [PMID: 36333754 PMCID: PMC9636743 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05533-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parasitic nematodes, including large roundworms colloquially known as ascarids, affect the health and well-being of livestock animals worldwide. The equine ascarids, Parascaris spp., are important parasites of juvenile horses and the first ascarids to develop widespread anthelmintic resistance. The microbiota has been shown to be an important factor in the fitness of many organisms, including parasitic nematodes, where endosymbiotic Wolbachia have been exploited for treatment of filariasis in humans. Methods This study used short-read 16S rRNA sequences and Illumina sequencing to characterize and compare microbiota of whole worm small intestinal stages and microbiota of male and female intestines and gonads. Diversity metrics including alpha and beta diversity, and the differential abundance analyses DESeq2, ANCOM-BC, corncob, and metagenomeSeq were used for comparisons. Results Alpha and beta diversity of whole worm microbiota did not differ significantly between groups, but Simpson alpha diversity was significantly different between female intestine (FI) and male gonad (MG) (P= 0.0018), and Shannon alpha diversity was significantly different between female and male gonads (P = 0.0130), FI and horse jejunum (HJ) (P = 0.0383), and FI and MG (P= 0.0001). Beta diversity (Fig. 2B) was significantly different between female and male gonads (P = 0.0006), male intestine (MI) and FG (P = 0.0093), and MG and FI (P = 0.0041). When comparing organs, Veillonella was differentially abundant for DESeq2 and ANCOM-BC (p < 0.0001), corncob (P = 0.0008), and metagenomeSeq (P = 0.0118), and Sarcina was differentially abundant across four methods (P < 0.0001). Finally, the microbiota of all individual Parascaris spp. specimens were compared to establish shared microbiota between groups. Conclusions Overall, this study provided important information regarding the Parascaris spp. microbiota and provides a first step towards determining whether the microbiota may be a viable target for future parasite control options. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05533-y.
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23
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Kumari K, Sharma PK, Aggarwal Y, Singh RP. Secretome analysis of an environmental isolate Enterobacter sp. S-33 identifies proteins related to pathogenicity. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:662. [PMID: 36198868 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-03277-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Enterobacter species are responsible for causing infections of the lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, meninges, etc. Proteins secreted by these species may act as determinants of host-pathogen interaction and play a role in virulence. Among the secreted proteins, the Type VI secretion system (T6SS) acts as a molecular nanomachine to deliver many effector proteins directly into prey cells in a contact-dependent manner. The secreted proteins may provide an idea for the interaction of bacteria to their environment and an understanding of the role of these proteins for their role in bacterial physiology and behaviour. Therefore, aim of this study was to characterize the secreted proteins in the culture supernatant by a T6SS bacterium Enterobacter sp. S-33 using nano-LC-MS/MS tool. Using a combined mass spectrometry and bioinformatics approach, we identified a total of 736 proteins in the secretome. Bioinformatics analysis predicting subcellular localization identified 110 of the secreted proteins possessed signal sequences. By gene ontology analysis, more than 80 proteins of the secretome were classified into biological or molecular functions. More than 20 percent of secretome proteins were virulence proteins including T6SS proteins, proteins involved in adherence and fimbriae formation, molecular chaperones, outer membrane proteins, serine proteases, antimicrobial, biofilm, exotoxins, etc. In summary, the results of the present study of the S-33 secretome provide a basis for understanding the possible pathogenic mechanisms and future investigation by detailed experimental approach will provide a confirmation of secreted virulence proteins in the exact role of virulence using the in vivo model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Kumari
- Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, BIT Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 835215, India
| | - Parva Kumar Sharma
- Department of Plant Sciences and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD-20742, USA
| | - Yogender Aggarwal
- Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, BIT Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 835215, India
| | - Rajnish Prakash Singh
- Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, BIT Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 835215, India.
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24
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Guo R, Zhang S, Chen J, Shen W, Zhang G, Wang J, Zhang F, Pan Q, Xie T, Ai D, Dong J, Suo J, Sun Y, Liu S. Comparison of gut microflora of donkeys in high and low altitude areas. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:964799. [PMID: 36225357 PMCID: PMC9549287 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.964799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Donkeys’ gut microbe is critical for their health and adaptation to the environment. Little research has been conducted on the donkey gut microbiome compared with other domestic animals. The Tibetan Plateau is an extreme environment. In this study, 6 Qinghai donkeys (QH) from the Tibetan Plateau and 6 Dezhou donkeys (DZ) were investigated, and the contents of 4 parts—stomach, small intestine, cecum, and rectum—were collected. 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic sequencing were used to analyze the composition and diversity of gut microbial communities in donkeys. The results showed that the flora diversity and richness of the hindgut were significantly higher than those of the foregut (p < 0.01), with no sex differences, and the community structure and composition of the same or adjacent regions (stomach, small intestine, cecum, and rectum) were similar. Besides, the flora diversity and richness of QH on the Tibetan Plateau were significantly higher than those of DZ (p < 0.05). The major pathways associated with QH were signal transduction mechanisms and carbohydrate transport and metabolism, and Bacteroidales were the major contributors to these functions. Our study provides novel insights into the contribution of microbiomes to the adaptive evolution of donkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Shuer Zhang
- Shandong Animal Husbandry General Station, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jianxing Chen
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Chifeng University, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Wei Shen
- Gene Bank of Equine Genetic Resources, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Guoliang Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Gene Bank of Equine Genetic Resources, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Junjie Wang
- Gene Bank of Equine Genetic Resources, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Fali Zhang
- Gene Bank of Equine Genetic Resources, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Qingjie Pan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Taifeng Xie
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Deqiang Ai
- Qinghai Sheep Breeding and Extension Service Center, Gangcha County, Haibei Prefecture, Qinghai, China
| | - Jianbao Dong
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Jiajia Suo
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Yujiang Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Gene Bank of Equine Genetic Resources, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Vocational College of Dongying, Dongying, Shandong, China
- *Correspondence: Yujiang Sun,
| | - Shuqin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Gene Bank of Equine Genetic Resources, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Shuqin Liu,
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25
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Paul LJ, Ericsson AC, Andrews FM, McAdams Z, Keowen ML, St Blanc MP, Banse HE. Dietary and management factors influence the equine gastric microbiome. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2022; 260:S111-S120. [DOI: 10.2460/javma.22.07.0277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship of diet and management factors with the glandular gastric mucosal microbiome. We hypothesize that the gastric mucosal microbial community is influenced by diet and management factors. Our specific objective is to characterize the gastric mucosal microbiome in relation to these factors.
ANIMALS
57 client-owned horses in the southern Louisiana region with and without equine glandular gastric disease.
PROCEDURES
Diet and management data were collected via a questionnaire. Gastroscopy was used for evaluation of equine gastric ulcer syndrome and collection of glandular mucosal pinch biopsies. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was used for microbiome analysis. Similarity and diversity indices and sequence read counts of individual taxa were compared between diet and management factors.
RESULTS
Differences were detected in association with offering hay, type of hay, sweet feed, turnout, and stalling. Offering hay and stalling showed differences in similarity indices, whereas hay type, sweet feed, and turnout showed differences in similarity and diversity indices. Offering hay, hay type, and sweet feed were also associated with differences in individual sequence read counts.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
This study provides preliminary characterization of the complex relationship between the glandular gastric microbiome and diet/management factors. The ideal microbiome to promote a healthy glandular gastric environment remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda J. Paul
- Louisiana State University, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Equine Health Studies Program, Baton Rouge, LA
| | - Aaron C. Ericsson
- University of Missouri, Metagenomics Center, Equine Gut Group, Columbia, MO
| | - Frank M. Andrews
- Louisiana State University, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Equine Health Studies Program, Baton Rouge, LA
| | - Zachary McAdams
- University of Missouri, Metagenomics Center, Equine Gut Group, Columbia, MO
| | - Michael L. Keowen
- Louisiana State University, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Equine Health Studies Program, Baton Rouge, LA
| | - Michael P. St Blanc
- Louisiana State University, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Equine Health Studies Program, Baton Rouge, LA
| | - Heidi E. Banse
- Louisiana State University, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Equine Health Studies Program, Baton Rouge, LA
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26
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Fecal Microbiota Comparison between Healthy Teaching Horses and Client-Owned Horses. J Equine Vet Sci 2022; 118:104105. [PMID: 36058504 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare the fecal microbiota of 2 healthy teaching horse herds with that of client-owned horses from the same geographic areas. The fecal microbiota of client-owned horses from Ontario Canada (n = 15) and Florida, USA (n = 11) was compared with that teaching horses from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada (n = 10) and the University of Florida, Florida, USA (n = 15). The fecal microbiota was characterized by sequencing of bacterial DNA using the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. The diversity (inverse Simpson index) of the fecal microbiota was significantly higher in teaching than client owned horses from the same geographical area (P < 0.05). The community membership (Jaccard Index) and structure (Yue and Clayton index) of teaching horses was also significantly different from that of client owned horses from the same geographical area (AMOVA P < 0.001). The bacterial membership and structure of the fecal microbiota of Ontario and Florida teaching horses were significantly different, while the bacterial membership, but not the structure of Ontario and Florida client owned horses was significantly different (AMOVA P < 0.001). In all 4 groups of healthy horses, Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Bacteroidales, Clostridiales, and Treponema were detected in high relative abundance. The fecal microbiota of healthy horses from teaching herds kept in the same environment with identical management practices differs significantly from that of horses housed in different facilities with dissimilar management practices. Our results suggest an effect of the environment and management practices on the gastrointestinal microbiota. Researchers should attempt to include healthy horses from the same farm with similar management as control groups when comparing with diseased horses.
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27
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MacNicol JL, Renwick S, Ganobis CM, Allen-Vercoe E, Weese JS, Pearson W. A Comparison of Methods to Maintain the Equine Cecal Microbial Environment In Vitro Utilizing Cecal and Fecal Material. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12152009. [PMID: 35953998 PMCID: PMC9367579 DOI: 10.3390/ani12152009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In vitro systems for the fermentation of equine gastrointestinal (GI) content provide researchers with the ability to evaluate changes which may occur due to external influences but which cannot be accessed in vivo. The objective of this study was to evaluate three fermentation systems to replicate the equine cecal environment with regard to the microbiome and metabolite profile. The microbiome and metabolome of the fecal slurry used as inocula in this study were not representative of the cecal systems and care should be taken if feces are to be used to mimic proximal hindgut regions such as the cecum. However, the microbiome of the cecal inoculum maintained in either a chemostat batch fermenter or anaerobic chamber was fairly comparable. The metabolite concentrations, but not rate of production, were significantly different between the two cecal systems. These results provide a context to determine the most appropriate methods by which to create a fermentation system to reflect the equine cecal environment. They also highlight that caution must be exercised as many factors may influence the microbial and metabolic profiles within these systems; as such, they can best be used to demonstrate trends and gross reactions to environmental stimuli. Abstract The equine gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota is intimately related to the horse. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the microbiome and metabolome of cecal inoculum maintained in an anaerobic chamber or chemostat batch fermenter, as well as the fecal slurry maintained in an anaerobic chamber over 48 h. Cecal and fecal content were collected from healthy adult horses immediately upon death. Cecal fluid was used to inoculate chemostat vessels (chemostat cecal, n = 11) and vessels containing cecal fluid (anaerobic cecal, n = 15) or 5% fecal slurry (anaerobic fecal, n = 6) were maintained in an anaerobic chamber. Sampling for microbiome and metabolome analysis was performed at vessel establishment (0 h), and after 24 h and 48 h of fermentation. Illumina sequencing was performed, and metabolites were identified via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Alpha and beta diversity indices, as well as individual metabolite concentrations and metabolite regression equations, were analyzed and compared between groups and over time. No differences were evident between alpha or beta diversity in cecal fluid maintained in either an anaerobic chamber or chemostat. The microbiome of the fecal inoculum maintained anaerobically shifted over 48 h and was not comparable to that of the cecal inoculum. Metabolite concentrations were consistently highest in chemostat vessels and lowest in anaerobic fecal vessels. Interestingly, the rate of metabolite change in anaerobic cecal and chemostat cecal vessels was comparable. In conclusion, maintaining an equine cecal inoculum in either an anaerobic chamber or chemostat vessel for 48 h is comparable in terms of the microbiome. However, the microbiome and metabolome of fecal material is not comparable with a cecal inoculum. Future research is required to better understand the factors that influence the level of microbial activity in vitro, particularly when microbiome data identify analogous communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. MacNicol
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Correspondence:
| | - Simone Renwick
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Caroline M. Ganobis
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Emma Allen-Vercoe
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Jeffery Scott Weese
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Wendy Pearson
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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28
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Hernández-Quiroz F, Murugesan S, Flores-Rivas C, Piña-Escobedo A, Juárez-Hernández JI, García-Espitia M, Chávez-Carbajal A, Nirmalkar K, García-Mena J. A high-throughput DNA sequencing study of fecal bacteria of seven Mexican horse breeds. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:382. [PMID: 35687150 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-03009-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Horses are non-ruminant, herbivorous mammals, been used through history for various purposes, with a gut microbiota from cecum to the colon, possessing remarkable fermentative capacity. We studied the fecal microbiota of Azteca, Criollo, Frisian, Iberian, Pinto, Quarter and Spanish horse breeds living in Mexico by next-generation DNA sequencing of 16S rRNA gene libraries. Dominant phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetes, Fibrobacteres, Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia have different relative abundances among breeds, with contrasted alpha and beta diversities as well. Heatmap analysis revealed that Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Mogibacteriaceae families, and order Clostridiales are more abundant in Spanish, Azteca, Quarter and Criollo breeds. The LEfSe analysis displayed higher abundance of order Bacteroidales, family BS11, and genera Faecalibacterium, Comamonas, Collinsella, Acetobacter, and Treponema in Criollo, Azteca, Iberian, Spanish, Frisian, Pinto, and Quarter horse breeds. The conclusion is that dominant bacterial taxa, found in fecal samples of horse breeds living in Mexico, have different relative abundances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Hernández-Quiroz
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av IPN 2508 Col Zacatenco, CDMX, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico.,Computer Science Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Selvasankar Murugesan
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av IPN 2508 Col Zacatenco, CDMX, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico.,Division of Translational Medicine, Research Department, Sidra Medicine, 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Cintia Flores-Rivas
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av IPN 2508 Col Zacatenco, CDMX, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Alberto Piña-Escobedo
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av IPN 2508 Col Zacatenco, CDMX, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Josué Isaac Juárez-Hernández
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av IPN 2508 Col Zacatenco, CDMX, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Matilde García-Espitia
- Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Guillermo Massieu Helguera 239, CDMX, 07320, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Chávez-Carbajal
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av IPN 2508 Col Zacatenco, CDMX, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico.,Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Khemlal Nirmalkar
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av IPN 2508 Col Zacatenco, CDMX, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico.,Biodesign Center for Health through Microbiomes, Arizona State 16 University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Jaime García-Mena
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av IPN 2508 Col Zacatenco, CDMX, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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Lucassen A, Hankel J, Finkler-Schade C, Osbelt L, Strowig T, Visscher C, Schuberth HJ. Feeding a Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentation Product (Olimond BB) Does Not Alter the Fecal Microbiota of Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12121496. [PMID: 35739833 PMCID: PMC9219515 DOI: 10.3390/ani12121496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products (SCFP) are feed supplements and are widely used in animal nutrition to promote health. The biological effects of SCFP are based on prebiotic mechanisms that directly influence the microbial community of the gut microbiome or postbiotic factors that directly interact with host cells. To show whether the immunomodulatory effects of SCFP feeding are due to an altered composition of gut microbiota, we analyzed the fecal microbiota of racehorses. Horses were fed either the SCFP (Olimond BB) or a placebo product for six weeks, and fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. During this period, SCFP feeding only subtly affected the fecal microbiota in bacterial composition and diversity. SCFP and placebo horses differed significantly in the fecal bacterial diversity directly after intramuscular influenza vaccination. Altogether, the findings argue against a strong prebiotic effect of SCFP in racehorses. In contrast, the modulation of vaccine- and host-induced alterations of the microbiome suggests that the main effects of SCFP are due to contained or induced postbiotic components. Abstract Feed supplements such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products (SCFP) alter immune responses in horses. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether a prebiotic activity of the SCFP alters the gut microbiome in horses. Racehorses were fed either SCFP (Olimond BB, OLI, n = 6) or placebo pellets (PLA, n = 5) for 43 days. Fecal microbiota analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The numbers and function of circulating immune cell subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry. SCFP supplementation resulted in non-consistent differences in fecal microbiota between the PLA and OLI during the feeding period. Rather, the individual animal had the highest impact on fecal microbiota composition. OLI and PLA horses displayed the same changes in numbers of blood leukocyte subpopulations over time. One day after a booster vaccination against equine influenza during the feeding period, the alpha diversity of fecal microbiota of PLA horses was significantly higher compared to OLI horses. This suggests that SCFP feeding altered the vaccination-induced spectrum of released mediators, potentially affecting gut microbiota. The overall non-consistent findings argue against a strong prebiotic effect of Olimond BB on the microbiota in racehorses. Fecal microbiota differences between the groups were also noticed outside the feeding period and, hence, are most likely not caused by the SCFP additive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Lucassen
- Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Julia Hankel
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (J.H.); (C.V.)
| | | | - Lisa Osbelt
- Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; (L.O.); (T.S.)
- Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Till Strowig
- Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; (L.O.); (T.S.)
- Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Visscher
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (J.H.); (C.V.)
| | - Hans-Joachim Schuberth
- Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-511-953-7921
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Berreta A, Kopper J. Equine probiotics-what are they, where are we and where do we need to go? J Equine Vet Sci 2022; 115:104037. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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31
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Raspa F, Vervuert I, Capucchio MT, Colombino E, Bergero D, Forte C, Greppi M, Cavallarin L, Giribaldi M, Antoniazzi S, Cavallini D, Valvassori E, Valle E. A high-starch vs. high-fibre diet: effects on the gut environment of the different intestinal compartments of the horse digestive tract. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:187. [PMID: 35590319 PMCID: PMC9118577 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03289-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Horses are often fed high amounts of starch in their diets despite the well-established benefits of a fibre-based diet to promote gut health and animal welfare. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of two different diets – one based on high amounts of starch (HS) vs. one base on high amounts of fibre (HF) – on specific parameters of the gut environment across different intestinal compartments of the horse digestive tract. To this end differences in the gastrointestinal environment between HS vs. HF fed horses were assessed in terms of dry matter, organic matter and ash content; the particle size distribution and volatile fatty acid composition were also investigated. Results Nineteen Bardigiano horses of 14.3 ± 0.7 months of age and destined to slaughter were divided into two group pens – one fed with high amounts of starch (HS; n = 9; 43% hay plus 57% starch-rich pelleted feed); vs. fed with high amounts of fibre (HF; n = 10; 70% hay plus 30% fibre-rich pelleted feed). Horses fed HS diet presented a higher dry matter content in the right dorsal colon. Moreover, they showed a higher organic matter and ash content in the sternal flexure, pelvic flexure, right dorsal colon and rectum. In these latter intestinal compartments, horses fed a HS diet also showed a higher proportion of particles retained on an 8 mm sieve and a higher proportion of particles that washed through the finest sieve (< 1 mm). Moreover, the total amounts of volatile fatty acids as well as valeric acid were found to be significantly higher in horses fed the HS vs. HF diet. Conclusions A high-starch diet causes significant changes in the horse gut environment. We observed an increase in the dry matter content in the right dorsal colon, as well as reduced particle sizes and an increase in the production of valeric acid in all the gut compartments studied. High-starch diets should be avoided in favour of fibre-based diets with the goal of safeguarding gut health in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Raspa
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Ingrid Vervuert
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Elena Colombino
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Domenico Bergero
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Claudio Forte
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Martina Greppi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Laura Cavallarin
- ISPA-CNR, Institute of Sciences of Food Production, 10095, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Marzia Giribaldi
- ISPA-CNR, Institute of Sciences of Food Production, 10095, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Sara Antoniazzi
- ISPA-CNR, Institute of Sciences of Food Production, 10095, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Damiano Cavallini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Emanuela Valle
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095, Grugliasco, Italy.
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Navarro MA, Arroyo LG, Uzal FA. Special section on diseases of the equine gastrointestinal tract. J Vet Diagn Invest 2022; 34:353. [PMID: 35291888 PMCID: PMC9254069 DOI: 10.1177/10406387221081217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio A Navarro
- Instituto de Patología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino Laboratory, San Bernardino, CA, USA
| | - Luis G Arroyo
- Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Francisco A Uzal
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino Laboratory, San Bernardino, CA, USA
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A study comparing the healthy and diseased equine glandular gastric microbiota sampled with sheathed transendoscopic cytology brushes. J Equine Vet Sci 2022; 116:104002. [PMID: 35490972 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of the equine gastrointestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES To investigate whether the glandular gastric microbiota is altered in horses with EGGD. STUDY DESIGN Prospective longitudinal study METHODS: Five Thoroughbred racehorses from one training centre underwent gastroscopy as part of poor performance investigation. Samples were taken from EGGD lesions and adjacent normal mucosa using sheathed transendoscopic cytology brushes and frozen at -80 °C. DNA was extracted for 16S rRNA sequencing, and sequences compared against a database to generate taxonomic classification of the microbiota. The same horses were sampled six months later. RESULTS Normal glandular mucosal samples were characterised by a higher proportion of Proteobacteria (46.3 %) than EGGD lesions (18.9 %). Relative abundance of Firmicutes was lower in samples from normal mucosa (20.0 %) than EGGD lesions (41.2 %). Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) confirmed a greater proportion of Firmicutes species was characteristic of samples collected from EGGD lesions due to a very high relative abundance of Sarcina (up to 92.4 %) in two horses with EGGD. We were unable to comment on the stability of the glandular gastric microbiota over time. MAIN LIMITATIONS Small sample population. None of the horses examined had grossly normal gastric mucosa. CONCLUSIONS The gastric microbiota appears altered in EGGD, although we are unable to demonstrate a causative effect. Sarcina was particularly increased in abundance in EGGD and may be a useful biomarker of disease. Sheathed cytology brushes were an effective method for sampling the gastric mucosa.
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López-Martínez MJ, Escribano D, Martínez-Miró S, Ramis G, Manzanilla EG, Tecles F, Martínez-Subiela S, Cerón JJ. Measurement of procalcitonin in saliva of pigs: a pilot study. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:139. [PMID: 35428339 PMCID: PMC9011990 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03240-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Procalcitonin (PCT) is a widely used biomarker of sepsis in human medicine and can have potential applications in the veterinary field. This study aimed to explore whether PCT could be measured in the saliva of pigs and whether its concentration changes in sepsis. Therefore, a specific assay was developed and analytically validated, and changes in PCT concentration were evaluated in two conditions: a) in an experimental model of sepsis produced by the administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to pigs (n = 5), that was compared with a model of non-septic inflammation induced by turpentine oil (n = 4), and b) in healthy piglets (n = 11) compared to piglets with meningitis (n = 20), a disease that usually involves sepsis and whose treatment often requires large amounts of antibiotics in farms.
Results
The assay showed coefficients of variation within the recommended limits and adequate linearity after serial sample dilutions. The method's detection limit was set at 68 μg/L, and the lower limit of quantification was 414 μg/L. In the LPS experiment, higher concentrations of PCT were found after 24 h in the animals injected with LPS (mean = 5790 μg/L) compared to those treated with turpentine oil (mean = 2127 μg/L, P = 0.045). Also, animals with meningitis had higher concentrations of PCT (mean = 21515 μg/L) than healthy pigs (mean = 6096 μg/L, P value < 0.0001).
Conclusions
According to these results, this assay could be potentially used as a tool for the non-invasive detection of sepsis in pigs, which is currently a topic of high importance due to antibiotic use restriction.
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Liu N, Yu W, Guo X, Chen J, Xia D, Yu J, Li D. Oxidative cleavage of cellulose in the horse gut. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:38. [PMID: 35279161 PMCID: PMC8917663 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01767-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) belonging to the auxiliary activity 9 family (AA9) are widely found in aerobic fungi. These enzymes are O2-dependent copper oxidoreductases that catalyze the oxidative cleavage of cellulose. However, studies that have investigated AA9 LPMOs of aerobic fungi in the herbivore gut are scare. To date, whether oxidative cleavage of cellulose occurs in the herbivore gut is unknown.
Results
We report for the first time experimental evidence that AA9 LPMOs from aerobic thermophilic fungi catalyze the oxidative cleavage of cellulose present in the horse gut to C1-oxidized cellulose and C1- and C4-oxidized cello-oligosaccharides. We isolated and identified three thermophilic fungi and measured their growth and AA9 LPMO expression at 37 °C in vitro. We also assessed the expression and the presence of AA9 LPMOs from thermophilic fungi in situ. Finally, we used two recombinant AA9 LPMOs and a native AA9 LPMO from thermophilic fungi to cleave cellulose to yield C1-oxidized products at 37 °C in vitro.
Conclusions
The oxidative cleavage of cellulose occurs in the horse gut. This finding will broaden the known the biological functions of the ubiquitous LPMOs and aid in determining biological significance of aerobic thermophilic fungi.
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Eisenhofer R, D’Agnese E, Taggart D, Carver S, Penrose B. Microbial biogeography of the wombat gastrointestinal tract. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12982. [PMID: 35228910 PMCID: PMC8881912 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Most herbivorous mammals have symbiotic microbes living in their gastrointestinal tracts that help with harvesting energy from recalcitrant plant fibre. The bulk of research into these microorganisms has focused on samples collected from faeces, representing the distal region of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, the GI tract in herbivorous mammals is typically long and complex, containing different regions with distinct physico-chemical properties that can structure resident microbial communities. Little work has been done to document GI microbial communities of herbivorous animals at these sites. In this study, we use 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize the microbial biogeography along the GI tract in two species of wombats. Specifically, we survey the microbes along four major gut regions (stomach, small intestine, proximal colon, distal colon) in a single bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus) and a single southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons). Our preliminary results show that GI microbial communities of wombats are structured by GI region. For both wombat individuals, we observed a trend of increasing microbial diversity from stomach to distal colon. The microbial composition in the first proximal colon region was more similar between wombat species than the corresponding distal colon region in the same species. We found several microbial genera that were differentially abundant between the first proximal colon (putative site for primary plant fermentation) and distal colon regions (which resemble faecal samples). Surprisingly, only 10.6% (98) and 18.8% (206) of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were shared between the first proximal colon region and the distal colon region for the bare-nosed and southern hairy-nosed wombat, respectively. These results suggest that microbial communities in the first proximal colon region-the putative site of primary plant fermentation in wombats-are distinct from the distal colon, and that faecal samples may have limitations in capturing the diversity of these communities. While faeces are still a valuable and effective means of characterising the distal colon microbiota, future work seeking to better understand how GI microbiota impact the energy economy of wombats (and potentially other hindgut-fermenting mammals) may need to take gut biogeography into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Eisenhofer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Erin D’Agnese
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia,School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - David Taggart
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia,FAUNA Research Alliance, Institute for Land, Water and Society, Kahibah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Scott Carver
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Beth Penrose
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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The Semen Microbiome and Semen Parameters in Healthy Stallions. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12050534. [PMID: 35268102 PMCID: PMC8908834 DOI: 10.3390/ani12050534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Stallion infertility is a major cause of concern in the horse industry. Despite zootechnics advances, sub- or infertile animals appear in stud farms without a toxic, genetic, or nutritional reason. Recent research in human andrology has opened the door for a new, plausible factor that affects sperm quality: seminal microflora. In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of evidence regarding the relationship between different seminal flora compositions and male fertility. However, little has been studied in veterinary science, including horses. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine associations with the presence of bacteria families in horse semen with five sperm quality parameters: concentration, total number of spermatozoa, total and progressive sperm motility, and DNA fragmentation. Our study detected a correlation between the presence of the Peptoniphilaceae family and higher total motility and the presence of Clostridiales Incertae Sedis XI and lower progressive motility. These changes in seminal flora may contribute to the idiopathically poorer sperm quality in certain animals. Although further mechanisms behind bacteria–spermatozoa interactions are unknown, these associations are already leading to a new therapeutic approach to infertility: the use of prebiotics, which has already yielded promising results in human andrology. Abstract Despite the advances in reproductive technology, there is still a considerable number of low sperm quality cases in stallions. Recent studies in humans have detected several seminal microflora–spermatozoa associations behind some idiopathic infertility cases. However, no studies are available on horses, and there is limited information on the microflora present in stallion ejaculates. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to examine associations to the presence of bacteria families with five sperm quality parameters: concentration, total number of spermatozoa, total and progressive motility, and DNA fragmentation. Samples were cryopreserved after their extraction. High-speed homogenization using grinding media was performed for cell disruption. Family identification was performed via 16S rRNA sequencing. Bacterial families were only considered if the relative abundance was higher than 1%. Only two families appeared to have a correlation with two sperm quality parameters. Peptoniphilaceae correlated positively with total sperm motility, whereas Clostridiales Incertae Sedis XI correlated negatively with progressive motility. No significant differences were found for the rest of the parameters. In conclusion, the seminal microbiome may affect spermatozoa activity. Our findings are based on statistical associations; thus, further studies are needed to understand the internal interactions between seminal flora and cells.
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Aleman M, Sheldon SA, Jospin G, Coil D, Stratton‐Phelps M, Eisen J. Caecal microbiota in horses with trigeminal‐mediated headshaking. Vet Med Sci 2022; 8:1049-1055. [PMID: 35060350 PMCID: PMC9122421 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Trigeminal‐mediated headshaking (TMHS) in horses is a form of neuropathic pain of undetermined cause that often results in euthanasia. The role of microbiota in TMHS has not been investigated in diseased horses. Objective To investigate if gastrointestinal microbiota in the cecum is different in horses with TMHS compared to a control population, during a summer season with clinical manifestations of disease. Animals Ten castrated horses: five with TMHS and five neurologically normal controls. Methods All horses were sourced from our institution and kept under the same husbandry and dietary conditions. All horses were fed orchard grass hay for 30 days and then were euthanized due to chronic untreatable conditions including TMHS and orthopedic disease (control group). Caecal samples for microbiota analysis were collected within 20 min after euthanasia. Sequencing was performed using an Illumina MiSeq platform and the microbiome was analyzed. Results The caecal microbiota of horses with TMHS was similar to control horses in terms of diversity but differed significantly with Methanocorpusculum spp. having higher abundance in horses with TMHS. Conclusions and clinical importance Methanocorpusculum spp. was more abundant in the cecum of horses with TMHS. However, its role in disease is unknown. Furthermore, it could also represent an incidental finding due to our small population size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Aleman
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology University of California Davis Davis California USA
| | - Shara. A. Sheldon
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology University of California Davis Davis California USA
| | - Guillaume Jospin
- The Genome Center University of California Davis Davis California USA
| | - David Coil
- The Genome Center University of California Davis Davis California USA
| | | | - Jonathan Eisen
- The Genome Center University of California Davis Davis California USA
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Degradation of Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, and Fructans in the Stomach of Horses Adapted to a Prebiotic Dose of Fructooligosaccharides and Inulin. J Equine Vet Sci 2021; 105:103731. [PMID: 34607684 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
For a period of 20 days, 12 horses either received a prebiotic supplementation with fructooligosaccharides and inulin via Jerusalem artichoke meal (JAM) or corncob meal without grains (CMG) as placebo. The horses were euthanized 1 hour postprandial, gastric digesta was sampled from pars nonglandularis (PNG) and pars glandularis (PG), and concentrations of starch, mono- and disaccharides, fructans, d- and l-lactic acid, and short chain fatty acids were analyzed. Concentrations of starch and simple sugars were widely the same in JAM supplemented and not supplemented meals. However, fructans were less than half as much without supplementation as with supplementation of JAM. Glucose, fructose, sucrose, and fructans disappeared to a larger extent with prebiotic supplementation than without (106.6% vs. 86.7% glucose, 73.1% vs. 66.8% fructose, 91.5% vs. 14.7% sucrose, and 68.3% vs. 35.4% fructans remained in PNG; 81.9% vs. 38.3% glucose, 52.2% vs. 53.4% fructose, 47.1% vs. 0% sucrose, and 48.5% vs. 31.7% fructans remained in PG with CMG vs. JAM feeding). Disappearance of simple sugars and fructans was primarily associated with appearance of n-butyric acid (r = -0.21 - r = -0.33).
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Species-Level Gut Microbiota Analysis after Antibiotic-Induced Dysbiosis in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11102859. [PMID: 34679880 PMCID: PMC8533001 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
All current studies have used Illumina short-read sequencing to characterize the equine intestinal microbiota. Long-read sequencing can classify bacteria at the species level. The objectives of this study were to characterize the gut microbiota of horses at the species level before and after trimethoprim sulfadiazine (TMS) administration and to compare results with Illumina sequencing. Nine horses received TMS (30 mg/kg) orally for 5 days twice a day to induce dysbiosis. Illumina sequencing of the V4 region or full-length PacBio sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was performed in fecal samples collected before and after antibiotic administration. The relative abundance and alpha diversity were compared between the two technologies. PacBio failed to classify the equine intestinal microbiota at the species level but confirmed Bacteroidetes as the most abundant bacteria in the feces of the studied horses, followed by Firmicutes and Fibrobacteres. An unknown species of the Bacteroidales order was highly abundant (13%) and deserves further investigation. In conclusion, PacBio was not suitable to classify the equine microbiota species but detected greater richness and less unclassified bacteria. Further efforts in improving current databanks to be used in equine studies are necessary.
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Fernandes KA, Rogers CW, Gee EK, Kittelmann S, Bolwell CF, Bermingham EN, Biggs PJ, Thomas DG. Resilience of Faecal Microbiota in Stabled Thoroughbred Horses Following Abrupt Dietary Transition between Freshly Cut Pasture and Three Forage-Based Diets. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2611. [PMID: 34573577 PMCID: PMC8471312 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of competition horses in New Zealand often involves rotations of short periods of stall confinement and concentrate feeding, with periods of time at pasture. Under these systems, horses may undergo abrupt dietary changes, with the incorporation of grains or concentrate feeds to the diet to meet performance needs, or sudden changes in the type of forage fed in response to a lack of fresh or conserved forage. Abrupt changes in dietary management are a risk factor for gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances, potentially due to the negative effects observed on the population of GI microbiota. In the present study, the faecal microbiota of horses was investigated to determine how quickly the bacterial communities; (1) responded to dietary change, and (2) stabilised following abrupt dietary transition. Six Thoroughbred mares were stabled for six weeks, consuming freshly cut pasture (weeks 1, 3 and 5), before being abruptly transitioned to conserved forage-based diets, both offered ad libitum. Intestinal markers were administered to measure digesta transit time immediately before each diet change. The conserved forage-based diets were fed according to a 3 × 3 Latin square design (weeks 2, 4 and 6), and comprised a chopped ensiled forage fed exclusively (Diet FE) or with whole oats (Diet FE + O), and perennial ryegrass hay fed with whole oats (Diet H + O). Faecal samples were collected at regular intervals from each horse following the diet changes. High throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to evaluate the faecal microbiota. There were significant differences in alpha diversity across diets (p < 0.001), and a significant effect of diet on the beta diversity (ANOSIM, p = 0.001), with clustering of samples observed by diet group. There were differences in the bacterial phyla across diets (p < 0.003), with the highest relative abundances observed for Firmicutes (62-64%) in the two diets containing chopped ensiled forage, Bacteroidetes (32-38%) in the pasture diets, and Spirochaetes (17%) in the diet containing hay. Major changes in relative abundances of faecal bacteria appeared to correspond with the cumulative percentage of intestinal markers retrieved in the faeces as the increasing amounts of digesta from each new diet transited the animals. A stable faecal microbiota profile was observed in the samples from 96 h after abrupt transition to the treatment diets containing ensiled chopped forage. The present study confirmed that the diversity and community structure of the faecal bacteria in horses is diet-specific and resilient following dietary transition and emphasised the need to have modern horse feeding management that reflects the ecological niche, particularly by incorporating large proportions of forage into equine diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlette A. Fernandes
- School of Agriculture and Environment, College of Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (K.A.F.); (C.W.R.)
| | - Chris W. Rogers
- School of Agriculture and Environment, College of Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (K.A.F.); (C.W.R.)
- School of Veterinary Science, College of Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (E.K.G.); (C.F.B.); (P.J.B.)
| | - Erica K. Gee
- School of Veterinary Science, College of Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (E.K.G.); (C.F.B.); (P.J.B.)
| | - Sandra Kittelmann
- AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (S.K.); (E.N.B.)
| | - Charlotte F. Bolwell
- School of Veterinary Science, College of Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (E.K.G.); (C.F.B.); (P.J.B.)
| | - Emma N. Bermingham
- AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (S.K.); (E.N.B.)
| | - Patrick J. Biggs
- School of Veterinary Science, College of Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (E.K.G.); (C.F.B.); (P.J.B.)
| | - David G. Thomas
- School of Agriculture and Environment, College of Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (K.A.F.); (C.W.R.)
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Goodman-Davis R, Figurska M, Cywinska A. Gut Microbiota Manipulation in Foals-Naturopathic Diarrhea Management, or Unsubstantiated Folly? Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091137. [PMID: 34578169 PMCID: PMC8467620 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Diarrhea in foals is a problem of significant clinical and economic consequence, and there are good reasons to believe microbiota manipulation can play an important role in its management. However, given the dynamic development of the foal microbiota and its importance in health and disease, any prophylactic or therapeutic efforts to alter its composition should be evidence based. The few clinical trials of probiotic preparations conducted in foals to date show underwhelming evidence of efficacy and a demonstrated potential to aggravate rather than mitigate diarrhea. Furthermore, recent studies have affirmed that variable but universally inadequate quality control of probiotics enables inadvertent administration of toxin-producing or otherwise pathogenic bacterial strains, as well as strains bearing transferrable antimicrobial resistance genes. Consequently, it seems advisable to approach probiotic therapy in particular with caution for the time being. While prebiotics show initial promise, an even greater scarcity of clinical trials makes it impossible to weigh the pros and cons of their use. Advancing technology will surely continue to enable more detailed and accurate mapping of the equine adult and juvenile microbiota and potentially elucidate the complexities of causation in dysbiosis and disease. In the meantime, fecal microbiota transplantation may be an attractive therapeutic shortcut, allowing practitioners to reconstruct a healthy microbiota even without fully understanding its constitution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Goodman-Davis
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (R.G.-D.); (M.F.)
- The Scientific Society of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marianna Figurska
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (R.G.-D.); (M.F.)
| | - Anna Cywinska
- Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
- Correspondence:
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Paul LJ, Ericsson AC, Andrews FM, Keowen ML, Morales Yniguez F, Garza F, Banse HE. Gastric microbiome in horses with and without equine glandular gastric disease. J Vet Intern Med 2021; 35:2458-2464. [PMID: 34351018 PMCID: PMC8478018 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The role of the gastric microbiome in development or persistence of equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) remains to be investigated. Hypothesis/Objectives The objective was to characterize the glandular mucosal and gastric fluid microbiomes of horses with and without EGGD. It was hypothesized that differences in the mucosal microbiome are associated with EGGD. Animals Twenty‐four horses were enrolled. Methods Gastroscopy was performed and EGGD scores recorded (score 0, n = 6; score 1, n = 8; score ≥2, n = 10). Gastric fluid and pinch biopsies of healthy glandular mucosa and EGGD lesions were collected via gastroscope. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of the gastric fluid and glandular mucosal biopsies was performed. Relationships between gastric fluid and mucosal microbial community composition were evaluated among EGGD score groups (EGGD 0‐BX, EGGD 1‐BX, EGGD ≥2‐BX) and among endoscopic appearances: controls from horses without EGGD and normal areas, hyperemic areas, and lesions from horses with EGGD. Results Microbial community structure of mucosal biopsies differed among EGGD score groups (Jaccard similarity index; P = .009). Principal coordinate analysis showed separate clusters for EGGD 0‐BX and EGGD ≥2‐BX. Conclusions and Clinical Importance A modest difference was detected in the community structure of the gastric glandular mucosal microbiome in association with EGGD score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda J Paul
- Louisiana State University, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Equine Health Studies Program, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Aaron C Ericsson
- Metagenomics Center, Equine Gut Group, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Frank M Andrews
- Louisiana State University, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Equine Health Studies Program, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Michael L Keowen
- Louisiana State University, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Equine Health Studies Program, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Francisco Morales Yniguez
- Louisiana State University, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Equine Health Studies Program, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Frank Garza
- Louisiana State University, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Equine Health Studies Program, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Heidi E Banse
- Louisiana State University, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Equine Health Studies Program, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
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Lv H, Huang Y, Wang T, Zhai S, Hou Z, Chen S. Microbial Composition in the Duodenum and Ileum of Yellow Broilers With High and Low Feed Efficiency. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:689653. [PMID: 34385985 PMCID: PMC8353196 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.689653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The composition of the gut microbiome plays important roles in digestion, nutrient absorption, and health. Here, we analyzed the microbial composition in the duodenum and ileum of yellow broilers. Chickens were grouped based on feed efficiency (high feed efficiency [HFE] and low feed efficiency [LFE] groups; n = 22 each). Microbial samples from the duodenum and ileum were collected, and 16S rRNA sequencing of the V3–V4 region was performed. The dominant bacteria in the duodenum were from the phyla Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria and the genera Lactobacillus, Faecalibacterium, and Ruminococcus. In the ileum, the phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria and the genera Lactobacillus, SMB53 and Enterococcus were predominant. Alpha diversity analysis showed that the microbiota diversity was significantly higher in the duodenum than in the ileum. The structure of the ileal microbiota was similar between groups, and the species richness of the microbiota in the HFE group was significantly higher than that in the LFE group. In the HFE and LFE groups, Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria were negatively correlated, and Lactobacillus had medium to high negative correlations with most other genera. Functional prediction analysis showed that the gluconeogenesis I pathway was the most abundant differential metabolic pathway and was significantly altered in the LFE group. Moreover, although the microbial community structures were similar in the duodenum and ileum, the diversity of the microbial community was significantly higher in the duodenum than in the ileum. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the phylum Chloroflexi and genera Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Neisseria were with coefficients <−0.3 or >0.3. In the ileum, Ruminococcus may be associated with HFE whereas Faecalibacterium may be associated with LFE. These findings may provide valuable foundations for future research on composition and diversity of intestinal microbes and provide insights into the roles of intestinal microbes in improving feed efficiency and the industrial economic benefits of yellow broilers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijiao Lv
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and MOA Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Huang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and MOA Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and MOA Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shangkun Zhai
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and MOA Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuocheng Hou
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and MOA Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Sirui Chen
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and MOA Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Arnold CE, Pilla R, Chaffin MK, Leatherwood JL, Wickersham TA, Callaway TR, Lawhon SD, Lidbury JA, Steiner JM, Suchodolski JS. The effects of signalment, diet, geographic location, season, and colitis associated with antimicrobial use or Salmonella infection on the fecal microbiome of horses. J Vet Intern Med 2021; 35:2437-2448. [PMID: 34268795 PMCID: PMC8478058 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fecal microbiome of healthy horses may be influenced by signalment, diet, environmental factors, and disease. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of age, breed, sex, geographic location, season, diet, and colitis caused by antibiotic use (antimicrobial-associated diarrhea [AAD]) and Salmonella infection on fecal microbiota. ANIMALS Healthy horses (n = 80) were sampled from nonhospital environments across multiple geographical locations in the United States. Horses with AAD (n = 14) were defined as those that developed diarrhea secondary to antimicrobial use. Horses with Salmonella infection (n = 12) were presented with spontaneous onset of colitis and subsequently tested positive on Salmonella quantitative polymerase chain reaction. All horses were >1 year of age and stratified by a dietary scale that included forages (pasture and hay) and concentrates grouped by percentage of fiber and amount. METHODS Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA genes was performed on fecal DNA. RESULTS Healthy horses fed higher amounts of grain clustered separately from those fed lower amounts of grain (analysis of similarities [ANOSIM], R = 0.356-0.385, Q = 0.002). Horses with AAD and Salmonella had decreased richness and evenness compared to healthy horses (P < .05). Univariable analysis of the 3 groups identified increases in Bacteroidetes (Q = 0.002) and Protebacteria (Q = 0.001) and decreases in Verrucomicrobia (Q = 0.001) in AAD horses whereas Salmonella horses had less Firmicutes (Q = 0.001) when compared to healthy horses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Although the amount of grain in the diet had some impact on the fecal microbiome, colitis had a significantly larger influence. Horses with ADD have a more severe dysbiosis than do horses with Salmonella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn E Arnold
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Rachel Pilla
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - M Keith Chaffin
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | | | - Tryon A Wickersham
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Todd R Callaway
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Sara D Lawhon
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Jonathan A Lidbury
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Joerg M Steiner
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Jan S Suchodolski
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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Walshe N, Cabrera-Rubio R, Collins R, Puggioni A, Gath V, Crispie F, Cotter PD, Brennan L, Mulcahy G, Duggan V. A Multiomic Approach to Investigate the Effects of a Weight Loss Program on the Intestinal Health of Overweight Horses. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:668120. [PMID: 34222398 PMCID: PMC8249564 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.668120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is endemic in human populations in the western society, and with mounting evidence that the intestinal ecological environment plays a major role in its pathogenesis, identification of therapies based on intestinal microbiota modulation are gaining attention. Obesity in companion animals is also a common clinical problem. We set out using a multidimensional approach, to determine the effectiveness and safety of a weight loss program for horses incorporating diet restriction and exercise. In addition, we aimed to investigate the effect of this program on the overall intestinal health of overweight sedentary horses. The investigation comprised of a randomized, controlled, 6-week study of 14 overweight sedentary horses and ponies who were blocked for age, gender, and breed (controls n = 7, treatment n = 7). The treatment group were fed a restricted diet (1.4% of body weight dry matter intake) and the control group a maintenance diet (2% of body weight as dry matter intake) over the study period. The treatment group were subjected to a prescribed exercise regime, while the control group were exercised to mimic foraging conditions. Several clinical measurements were taken at the start and end of the study, including morphological parameters, ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous fat, and blood pressure. Fecal microbiota analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, and fecal metabolome was analyzed using NMR spectroscopy, on samples taken at weeks 1, 3, and 6 of the study. All horses completed the study period successfully. However, two of the treatment group had to have modified exercise regimes. The treatment group showed significant weight loss (p < 0.00001) and an associated decrease in waste circumference (p < 0.0001) when compared with the control group. The alpha-diversity of the fecal microbiota in the treatment group showed a significant increase from the start to the end of the study period (p < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference between groups at any sampling point. There were significant changes (p < 0.05) in the metabolome in both groups between the start and end of the study, but not between groups at any sampling point. Finally, the resting blood pressure of all horses was significantly lower by the end of the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Walshe
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Raul Cabrera-Rubio
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
| | - Roisin Collins
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Antonella Puggioni
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Vivian Gath
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fiona Crispie
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
| | - Paul D. Cotter
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
- VistaMilk, Cork, Ireland
| | - Lorraine Brennan
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, Conway Institute, UCD Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Grace Mulcahy
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Vivienne Duggan
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Park T, Cheong H, Yoon J, Kim A, Yun Y, Unno T. Comparison of the Fecal Microbiota of Horses with Intestinal Disease and Their Healthy Counterparts. Vet Sci 2021; 8:vetsci8060113. [PMID: 34204317 PMCID: PMC8234941 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8060113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The intestinal microbiota plays an essential role in maintaining the host's health. Dysbiosis of the equine hindgut microbiota can alter the fermentation patterns and cause metabolic disorders. (2) Methods: This study compared the fecal microbiota composition of horses with intestinal disease and their healthy counterparts living in Korea using 16S rRNA sequencing from fecal samples. A total of 52 fecal samples were collected and divided into three groups: horses with large intestinal disease (n = 20), horses with small intestinal disease (n = 8), and healthy horses (n = 24). (3) Results: Horses with intestinal diseases had fewer species and a less diverse bacterial population than healthy horses. Lactic acid bacteria, Lachnospiraceae, and Lactobacillaceae were overgrown in horses with large intestinal colic. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio (F/B), which is a relevant marker of gut dysbiosis, was 1.94, 2.37, and 1.74 for horses with large intestinal colic, small intestinal colic, and healthy horses, respectively. (4) Conclusions: The overgrowth of two lactic acid bacteria families, Lachnospiraceae and Lactobacillaceae, led to a decrease in hindgut pH that interfered with normal fermentation, which might cause large intestinal colic. The overgrowth of Streptococcus also led to a decrease in pH in the hindgut, which suppressed the proliferation of the methanogen and reduced methanogenesis in horses with small intestinal colic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taemook Park
- Equine Clinic, Jeju Stud Farm, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju 63346, Korea; (T.P.); (J.Y.); (A.K.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea
| | - Heetae Cheong
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea;
| | - Jungho Yoon
- Equine Clinic, Jeju Stud Farm, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju 63346, Korea; (T.P.); (J.Y.); (A.K.)
| | - Ahram Kim
- Equine Clinic, Jeju Stud Farm, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju 63346, Korea; (T.P.); (J.Y.); (A.K.)
| | - Youngmin Yun
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea
- Correspondence: (Y.Y.); (T.U.); Tel.: +82-64-754-3376 (Y.Y.); +82-64-754-3354 (T.U.)
| | - Tatsuya Unno
- Faculty of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, SARI, Jeju 63243, Korea
- Subtropical/Tropical Organism Gene Bank, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea
- Correspondence: (Y.Y.); (T.U.); Tel.: +82-64-754-3376 (Y.Y.); +82-64-754-3354 (T.U.)
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Rooney TA, Eshar D, Lee C, Weese JS. Characterization of faecal and caecal microbiota of free-ranging black-tailed prairie dogs ( Cynomys ludovicianus) using high-throughput sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab042. [PMID: 34150210 PMCID: PMC8208658 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) are keystone species within their grassland ecosystems; their population stability affects a multitude of other species. The goals of this study were to explore, describe and compare the bacterial communities in caecal and hard faecal samples from free-ranging black-tailed prairie dogs (n = 36) from KS, USA, using high-throughput sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene and to compare sex and geographic locations. A total of 22 paired faecal and caecal samples were collected post-mortem from free-ranging black-tailed prairie dogs from 5 different geographical locations. The results revealed that the microbiota of both faecal and caecal samples were dominated by the phylum Firmicutes (genera belonging to the Clostridiales order). There was significantly greater richness in faecal compared with caecal samples. There were significant differences between the 5 different geographic regions (P < 0.001), specifically in the relative abundances of genera. There were differences in rare members of the microbiome between faecal samples from male and female prairie dogs but with no significant impact on overall community structure. This study provides novel data and expands our knowledge about the gastrointestinal microbiome composition of free-ranging black-tailed prairie dogs, which has potential to inform conservation efforts and improve their captive management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tess A Rooney
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - David Eshar
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Charles Lee
- Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, 1530 Mid-Campus Drive North, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - J Scott Weese
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E., Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
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The Equine Faecal Microbiota of Healthy Horses and Ponies in The Netherlands: Impact of Host and Environmental Factors. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061762. [PMID: 34204691 PMCID: PMC8231505 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Several studies have described the bacterial composition in the intestines of horses, and several factors of influence have been detected. Variation in the results between studies, however, is substantial. Therefore, the current study aimed to study the bacterial composition in the faeces of healthy horses and ponies kept under standard housing and management condition in The Netherlands. Seventy-nine horses and ponies originating from two farms were included. Several factors, such as location, age, the season of sampling, horse type (horses vs. ponies) and pasture access significantly affected the bacterial composition. The current study provides important baseline information on variation in the bacterial composition in healthy horses and ponies under standard housing and management conditions. The aforementioned factors identified in this study to affect the bacterial population of the gut should be considered in future studies regarding the bacterial population of the equine gut. Abstract Several studies have described the faecal microbiota of horses and the factors that influence its composition, but the variation in results is substantial. This study aimed to investigate the microbiota composition in healthy equids in The Netherlands under standard housing and management conditions and to evaluate the effect of age, gender, horse type, diet, pasture access, the season of sampling and location on it. Spontaneously produced faecal samples were collected from the stall floor of 79 healthy horses and ponies at two farms. The validity of this sampling technique was evaluated in a small pilot study including five ponies showing that the microbiota composition of faecal samples collected up to 6 h after spontaneous defaecation was similar to that of the samples collected rectally. After DNA extraction, Illumina Miseq 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to determine microbiota composition. The effect of host and environmental factors on microbiota composition were determined using several techniques (NMDS, PERMANOVA, DESeq2). Bacteroidetes was the largest phylum found in the faecal microbiota (50.1%), followed by Firmicutes (28.4%). Alpha-diversity and richness decreased significantly with increasing age. Location, age, season, horse type and pasture access had a significant effect on beta-diversity. The current study provides important baseline information on variation in faecal microbiota in healthy horses and ponies under standard housing and management conditions. These results indicate that faecal microbiota composition is affected by several horse-related and environment-related factors, and these factors should be considered in future studies of the equine faecal microbiota.
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Hesta M, Costa M. How Can Nutrition Help with Gastrointestinal Tract-Based Issues? Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2021; 37:63-87. [PMID: 33820610 DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Many horses are fed differently than their wild ancestors. They often have limited access to pasture and are fed conserved forage and concentrates rich in starch and sugars, in only 2 meals per day. Feeding practices in contrast to natural feeding behavior can lead to gastrointestinal issues. Standard nutritional evaluation is warranted because of its important role in prevention and in treatment and management of diseases. When medical and nutritional treatments are combined, success rates are higher. New techniques to characterize equine microbiota have been used, allowing for microbiota manipulation to prevent and treat intestinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam Hesta
- Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke B9820, Belgium.
| | - Marcio Costa
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada
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