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Martínez-Aranzales JR, Córdoba-Agudelo M, Pérez-Jaramillo JE. Fecal microbiome and functional prediction profiles of horses with and without crib-biting behavior: A comparative study. J Equine Vet Sci 2024; 142:105198. [PMID: 39306146 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105198] [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: 06/16/2024] [Revised: 09/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Crib-biting is a stereotyped oral behavior with poorly understood etiology and pathophysiology. The relationship between the gut microbiome and brain function has been described in behavioral disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and anxiety in humans. In horses, studies of behavioral problems and the microbiome are very limited. This study aimed to characterize the fecal microbiome and the predicted functional profile of horses with and without aerophagia. Fecal samples were collected from 12 Colombian Creole Horses of both sexes, divided into two groups: group 1, composed of six horses with crib-biting (3 females and 3 males), average body weight of 330 ± 10 kg, age of 7.0 ± 1.2 years and body condition score (BCS) of 5/9 ± 1 and group 2, consisting of six horses without crib-biting (3 females and 3 males), average body weight of 335 ± 5 kg, age 6.5 ± 1 years and BCS of 6/9 ± 1. From each horse in both groups fecal total DNA was obtained and 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicons were sequenced to characterize the bacterial community structure. Community structure and differential abundance analyses revealed significant differences between the two conditions (p < 0.05). Specifically, the fecal microbiota at the family level in crib-biting horses, showing a decrease in Bacteroidales and an increase in Bacillota and Clostridia, differed from that of healthy horses without crib-biting, consistent with findings from previous studies. Furthermore, metagenome prediction suggests metabolic profile changes in bacterial communities between both conditions in horses. Further studies are required to validate the role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the etiology of crib-biting and other abnormal and stereotyped behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- José R Martínez-Aranzales
- Equine Medicine and Surgery Research Line (LIMCE), CENTAURO Research Group, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia.
| | | | - Juan E Pérez-Jaramillo
- Institute of Biology, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia; Unidad de Bioprospección y Estudio de Microbiomas, Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Li C, Li XY, Li XB, Ma C, Chen H, Yang F. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial diversity and volatile fatty acid, and blood biochemical indices of suckling donkeys fed diets supplemented with multienzymes. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:61. [PMID: 38378526 PMCID: PMC10880324 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03907-1] [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: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the foal grows, the amount of breast milk produced by the donkey decreases. In such cases, early supplemental feeding is particularly important to meet the growth needs of the foal. Foals have an incompletely developed gastrointestinal tract with a homogenous microbiota and produce insufficient amounts of digestive enzymes, which limit their ability to digest and utilize forage. Improving the utilization of early supplemental feeds, promoting gastrointestinal tract development, and enriching microbial diversity are the hotspots of rapid growth research in dairy foals. Plant-based feeds usually contain non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), including cellulose, xylan, mannan, and glucan, which hinder nutrient digestion and absorption. In addition, proteins and starch (both biomolecules) form a composite system mainly through non-covalent interactions. The proteins wrap around the surface of starch granules and act as a physical obstacle, thereby inhibiting water absorption and expansion of starch and decreasing the enzyme's catalytic effect on starch. Glyanase, β-mannanase, β-glucanase, cellulase, protease, and amylase added to cereal diets can alleviate the adverse effects of NSPs. The current study determined the effects of adding multienzymes (glyanase, β-mannanase, β-glucanase, cellulase, protease, and amylase) to the diet of 2-month-old suckling donkeys on their growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, fecal volatile fatty acid (VFA) and pH, fecal bacterial composition, and blood biochemical indices. RESULTS On day 120 of the trial, fecal samples were collected from the rectum of donkeys for determining bacterial diversity, VFA content, and pH. Moreover, fresh fecal samples were collected from each donkey on days 110 and 115 to determine apparent digestibility. The multienzymes supplementations did not affect growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility in the donkeys; however, they tended to increase total height gain (P = 0.0544). At the end of the study, the multienzymes supplementations increased (P < 0.05) the Observed species, ACE, Chao1, and Shannon indices by 10.56%, 10.47%, 10.49%, and 5.01%, respectively. The multienzymes supplementations also increased (P < 0.05) the abundance of Firmicutes, Oscillospiraceae, Lachnospiraceae, Christensenellaceae, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, and Streptococcus in feces, whereas decreased (P = 0.0086) the abundance of Proteobacteria. CONCLUSIONS Multienzymes supplementations added to a basal diet for suckling donkeys can increase fecal microbial diversity and abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Nutrition for Meat & Milk Production, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China
- Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830052, China
| | - Xuan Yue Li
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Nutrition for Meat & Milk Production, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China
- Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830052, China
| | - Xiao Bin Li
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Nutrition for Meat & Milk Production, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China.
- Growth and Metabolism of Herbivores, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830052, China.
| | - Chen Ma
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Nutrition for Meat & Milk Production, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China
- Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830052, China
| | - Hui Chen
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Nutrition for Meat & Milk Production, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China
- Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830052, China
| | - Fan Yang
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Nutrition for Meat & Milk Production, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China
- Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830052, China
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Xie L, Xing J, Qi X, Lu T, Jin Y, Akhtar MF, Li L, Liu G. Effects of Concentrate Feeding Sequence on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, VFA Production, and Fecal Microbiota of Weaned Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2893. [PMID: 37760293 PMCID: PMC10525841 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182893] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, effects on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, volatile fatty acids (VFA) production, and fecal microbiota of weaned donkeys were observed using different concentrate feeding sequences. Fifteen healthy 6-month-old weaned male donkeys with a body weight of 117.13 ± 10.60 kg were randomly divided into three treatment groups, including group C1 (roughage-then-concentrate), group C2 (concentrate-then-roughage), and group C3 (total mixed ration, TMR). The experiment lasted 35 d. We measured nutrient digestion by the acid-insoluble ash method and analyzed the fecal microbiota of the weaned donkeys by high-throughput sequencing of 16s rRNA genes in the V3-V4 region. The results show that group C3 obtained the best growth performance, and the digestibility of crude protein (CP) and crude extract (EE) was significantly higher than that of group C1 (p < 0.05). Acetic acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, isovaleric acid, and caproic acid were notably different among all groups (p < 0.05). In addition, we observed that Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were dominant in the fecal microbes of each group, and Firmicutes was significantly higher in group C3 (p < 0.05). At the genus level, the different genera were Treponema, Rikenellaceae-RC9-gut-group, Unidentified-F082, and Bacteroidales-RF16-group (p < 0.05). The prediction of fecal microbiota function by PICRUSt indicated that different feeding sequences had minimal impact on the function of the fecal microbiota, particularly on the high-abundance pathway. In summary, the concentrate feeding sequence changed the composition of the fecal microbe of weaned donkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Xie
- Shandong Engineering Technology Research Center for Efficient Breeding and Ecological Feeding of Black Donkey, Shandong Donkey Industry Technology Collaborative Innovation Center, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China; (L.X.); (X.Q.); (T.L.); (Y.J.); (M.F.A.)
| | - Jingya Xing
- College of Animal Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266000, China;
| | - Xingzhen Qi
- Shandong Engineering Technology Research Center for Efficient Breeding and Ecological Feeding of Black Donkey, Shandong Donkey Industry Technology Collaborative Innovation Center, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China; (L.X.); (X.Q.); (T.L.); (Y.J.); (M.F.A.)
| | - Ting Lu
- Shandong Engineering Technology Research Center for Efficient Breeding and Ecological Feeding of Black Donkey, Shandong Donkey Industry Technology Collaborative Innovation Center, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China; (L.X.); (X.Q.); (T.L.); (Y.J.); (M.F.A.)
| | - Yaqian Jin
- Shandong Engineering Technology Research Center for Efficient Breeding and Ecological Feeding of Black Donkey, Shandong Donkey Industry Technology Collaborative Innovation Center, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China; (L.X.); (X.Q.); (T.L.); (Y.J.); (M.F.A.)
| | - Muhammad Faheem Akhtar
- Shandong Engineering Technology Research Center for Efficient Breeding and Ecological Feeding of Black Donkey, Shandong Donkey Industry Technology Collaborative Innovation Center, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China; (L.X.); (X.Q.); (T.L.); (Y.J.); (M.F.A.)
| | - Lanjie Li
- Shandong Engineering Technology Research Center for Efficient Breeding and Ecological Feeding of Black Donkey, Shandong Donkey Industry Technology Collaborative Innovation Center, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China; (L.X.); (X.Q.); (T.L.); (Y.J.); (M.F.A.)
- Office of International Programs, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Guiqin Liu
- Shandong Engineering Technology Research Center for Efficient Breeding and Ecological Feeding of Black Donkey, Shandong Donkey Industry Technology Collaborative Innovation Center, College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China; (L.X.); (X.Q.); (T.L.); (Y.J.); (M.F.A.)
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Weinert-Nelson JR, Biddle AS, Sampath H, Williams CA. Fecal Microbiota, Forage Nutrients, and Metabolic Responses of Horses Grazing Warm- and Cool-Season Grass Pastures. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050790. [PMID: 36899650 PMCID: PMC10000167 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050790] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Integrating warm-season grasses into cool-season equine grazing systems can increase pasture availability during summer months. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of this management strategy on the fecal microbiome and relationships between fecal microbiota, forage nutrients, and metabolic responses of grazing horses. Fecal samples were collected from 8 mares after grazing cool-season pasture in spring, warm-season pasture in summer, and cool-season pasture in fall as well as after adaptation to standardized hay diets prior to spring grazing and at the end of the grazing season. Random forest classification was able to predict forage type based on microbial composition (accuracy: 0.90 ± 0.09); regression predicted forage crude protein (CP) and non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentrations (p < 0.0001). Akkermansia and Clostridium butyricum were enriched in horses grazing warm-season pasture and were positively correlated with CP and negatively with NSC; Clostridum butyricum was negatively correlated with peak plasma glucose concentrations following oral sugar tests (p ≤ 0.05). These results indicate that distinct shifts in the equine fecal microbiota occur in response different forages. Based on relationships identified between the microbiota, forage nutrients, and metabolic responses, further research should focus on the roles of Akkermansia spp. and Clostridium butyricum within the equine hindgut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R. Weinert-Nelson
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Amy S. Biddle
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19711, USA
| | - Harini Sampath
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Rutgers Center for Lipid Research, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Carey A. Williams
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Correspondence:
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Tannic Acid Induces Intestinal Dysfunction and Intestinal Microbial Dysregulation in Brandt's Voles ( Lasiopodomys brandtii). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040586. [PMID: 36830373 PMCID: PMC9951651 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Brandt's vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii) is a small herbivorous mammal that feeds on plants rich in secondary metabolites (PSMs), including tannins. However, plant defense mechanisms against herbivory by Brandt's voles are not clearly established. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary tannic acid (TA) on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities, cecal fermentation, intestinal barrier function, and gut microbiota in Brandt's voles. The results showed that TA significantly hindered body weight gain, reduced daily food intake, changed the intestinal morphology, reduced digestive enzyme activity, and increased the serum zonulin levels (p < 0.05). The number of intestinal goblet and mast cells and the levels of serum cytokines and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, TNF-α, IL-6, and duodenal SlgA) were all reduced by TA (p < 0.05). Moreover, TA altered β-diversity in the colonic microbial community (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results indicate that TA could damage the intestinal function of Brandt's voles by altering their intestinal morphology, decreasing digestive ability and intestinal barrier function, and altering microbiota composition. Our study investigated the effects of natural PSMs on the intestinal function of wildlife and improved our general understanding of plant-herbivore interactions and the ecological role of PSMs.
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Results of a Clinical Trial Showing Changes to the Faecal Microbiome in Racing Thoroughbreds after Feeding a Nutritional Supplement. Vet Sci 2022; 10:vetsci10010027. [PMID: 36669028 PMCID: PMC9861731 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10010027] [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: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been used to evaluate the effect of various interventions on the equine microbiome. The aim of this randomised blinded clinical trial was to determine if a prebiotic nutritional supplement would result in a change from baseline in the faecal microbiome composition of racing Thoroughbred horses in training being fed a high concentrate/grain-based diet to be more similar to that found in forage fed/pasture grazed horses. Thirty-two horses on one training yard were randomised to either receive the supplement or not. Faecal samples were collected at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks for NGS of the 16S ribosomal subunit gene. Twenty-two horses completed the trial, met the inclusion criteria and were included in the intention to treat analysis; 20 horses were included in the per protocol analysis. The mean and median percent decreases in Bacteroidetes, increases in Firmicutes and the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio were significantly greater than zero for the treated horses only. Supplemented horses (8/10) were more likely than control horses (2/10) to show an increase in Firmicutes of a ≥9% with ≥24% increase in Clostridia, ≥5% decrease in Bacteroidetes, ≥16% increase in the F:B ratio and ≥2% increase in Actinobacteria (RR = 4, 95% CI: 1.1-14.4, p = 0.01). This provides useful information for further investigations on long-term effects on the microbiome and on health and racing-related outcomes.
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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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Wen X, Luo S, Lv D, Jia C, Zhou X, Zhai Q, Xi L, Yang C. Variations in the fecal microbiota and their functions of Thoroughbred, Mongolian, and Hybrid horses. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:920080. [PMID: 35968025 PMCID: PMC9366519 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.920080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The horse gut is colonized by a rich and complex microbial community that has important roles in horse physiology, metabolism, nutrition, and immune functions. Fewer across-breed variations in horse gut microbial diversity have been illustrated. In this article, the gut microbiota of Thoroughbred, Mongolian, and Hybrid horses [first filial generation (F1) of Mongolian (maternal) and Thoroughbred (paternal)] were studied by second-generation high-throughput sequencing technology. Differences in gut microbiota composition and function between breeds were determined using diversity and functional prediction analysis. The alpha diversity analysis showed that Thoroughbred horses had a more abundant and diverse gut microbiota, while the diversity of gut microbiota in Hybrid horses was intermediate between Thoroughbred and Mongolian horses. Subsequent cluster analysis showed that Hybrid horses have a microbiota composition more similar to Mongolian horses. LEfSe analysis revealed that the bacterial biomarkers for Thoroughbred horses at the family level were Prevotellaceae, Rikenellaceae, Fibrobacteraceae, p_251_o5, Lactobacillaceae, and uncultured_bacterium_o_WCHB1_41; the bacterial biomarker for Mongolian horses was Planococcaceae; and the bacterial biomarkers for Hybrid horses were Moraxellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Ruminococcaceae. The functional prediction results indicated that the metabolic pathways differ significantly between the breeds. Regarding metabolism, the Hybrid horses had the lowest proportion of the carbohydrate metabolic pathways, while the energy metabolic pathway had the highest proportion. The abundance ratios of the remaining eight metabolic pathways in Hybrid horses were between Thoroughbred and Mongolian horses. In conclusion, the results of this study showed an association between horse breeds and gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Wen
- Institute of Animal Health, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture of Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shengjun Luo
- Institute of Animal Health, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture of Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dianhong Lv
- Institute of Animal Health, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture of Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunling Jia
- Institute of Animal Health, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture of Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiurong Zhou
- Institute of Animal Health, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture of Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhai
- Institute of Animal Health, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture of Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Xi
- Department of Animal Science, College of Biology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu, China
- *Correspondence: Li Xi
| | - Caijuan Yang
- National S&T Innovation Center for Modern Agricultural Industry, Guangzhou, China
- Caijuan Yang
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Weinert-Nelson JR, Biddle AS, Williams CA. Fecal microbiome of horses transitioning between warm-season and cool-season grass pasture within integrated rotational grazing systems. Anim Microbiome 2022; 4:41. [PMID: 35729677 PMCID: PMC9210719 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-022-00192-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diet is a key driver of equine hindgut microbial community structure and composition. The aim of this study was to characterize shifts in the fecal microbiota of grazing horses during transitions between forage types within integrated warm- (WSG) and cool-season grass (CSG) rotational grazing systems (IRS). Eight mares were randomly assigned to two IRS containing mixed cool-season grass and one of two warm-season grasses: bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] or crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.]. Fecal samples were collected during transitions from CSG to WSG pasture sections (C-W) and WSG to CSG (W-C) on days 0, 2, 4, and 6 following pasture rotation and compared using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. RESULTS Regardless of IRS or transition (C-W vs. W-C), species richness was greater on day 4 and 6 in comparison to day 0 (P < 0.05). Evenness, however, did not differ by day. Weighted UniFrac also did not differ by day, and the most influential factor impacting β-diversity was the individual horse (R2 ≥ 0.24; P = 0.0001). Random forest modeling was unable to accurately predict days within C-W and W-C, but could predict the individual horse based on microbial composition (accuracy: 0.92 ± 0.05). Only three differentially abundant bacterial co-abundance groups (BCG) were identified across days within all C-W and W-C for both IRS (W ≥ 126). The BCG differing by day for all transitions included amplicon sequence variants (ASV) assigned to bacterial groups with known fibrolytic and butyrate-producing functions including members of Lachnospiraceae, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Anaerovorax the NK4A214 group of Oscillospiraceae, and Sarcina maxima. In comparison, 38 BCG were identified as differentially abundant by horse (W ≥ 704). The ASV in these groups were most commonly assigned to genera associated with degradation of structural carbohydrates included Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, Treponema, Christensenellaceae R-7 group, and the NK4A214 group of Oscillospiraceae. Fecal pH also did not differ by day. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results demonstrated a strong influence of individual horse on the fecal microbial community, particularly on the specific composition of fiber-degraders. The equine fecal microbiota were largely stable across transitions between forages within IRS suggesting that the equine gut microbiota adjusted at the individual level to the subtle dietary changes imposed by these transitions. This adaptive capacity indicates that horses can be managed in IRS without inducing gastrointestinal dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R. Weinert-Nelson
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
| | - Amy S. Biddle
- grid.33489.350000 0001 0454 4791Department of Animal and Food Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19711 USA
| | - Carey A. Williams
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
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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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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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12
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The OMICS of methane emissions. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:skab271. [PMID: 34586402 PMCID: PMC8480415 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Zhu Y, Wang X, Liu B, Yi Z, Zhao Y, Deng L, Holyoak R, Li J. The Effect of Ryegrass Silage Feeding on Equine Fecal Microbiota and Blood Metabolite Profile. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:715709. [PMID: 34497595 PMCID: PMC8419423 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.715709] [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: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Silage is fed to horses in China and other areas in the world, however, knowledge about the impact of feeding silage on horse health is still limited. In the current study, 12 horses were assigned into two groups and fed ryegrass silage and ryegrass hay, respectively, for 8 weeks. High-throughput sequencing was applied to analyze fecal microbiota, while liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) based metabolomics technique was used for blood metabolite profile to investigate the influence of feeding ryegrass silage (group S) compared to feeding ryegrass hay (group H) on equine intestinal and systemic health. Horses in group S had significantly different fecal microbiota and blood metabolomes from horses in group H. The results showed that Verrucomicrobia was significantly less abundant which plays important role in maintaining the mucus layer of the hindgut. Rikenellaceae and Christensenellaceae were markedly more abundant in group S and Rikenellaceae may be associated with some gut diseases and obesity. The metabolomics analysis demonstrated that ryegrass silage feeding significantly affected lipid metabolism and insulin resistance in horses, which might be associated with metabolic dysfunction. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation analysis revealed some correlations between bacterial taxa and blood metabolites, which added more evidence to diet-fecal microbiota-health relationship. Overall, ryegrass silage feeding impacted systemic metabolic pathways in horses, especially lipid metabolism. This study provides evidence of effects of feeding ryegrass silage on horses, which may affect fat metabolism and potentially increase risk of insulin resistance. Further investigation will be promoted to provide insight into the relationship of a silage-based diet and equine health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiping Zhu
- Equine Clinical Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuefan Wang
- Equine Clinical Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Equine Clinical Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziwen Yi
- Equine Clinical Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yufei Zhao
- Equine Clinical Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Deng
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Reed Holyoak
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Jing Li
- Equine Clinical Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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