The Dynamic Changes of Gut Microbiota during the Perinatal Period in Sows

Alteration in oxidative stress markers, digestive physiology and gut microbiota of Heteropneustes fossilis and Clarias batrachus exposed to eriochrome black T

Synthetic dyes are the primary cause of water pollution in industrial regions. Azo dyes account for 60-70% of such dyes used in the textile sector due to their numerous beneficial characteristics. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the toxicity of Eriochrome Black T (EBT), a widely used azo dye in the textile industry. Therefore, the current study was designed to investigate the effect of EBT exposure on two catfish species, Heteropneustes fossilis and Clarias batrachus. Following 96 h exposure to 1, 10 and 20 mgL-1 of EBT, the MDA content and activities of SOD, CAT and GR exhibited a rising trend. However, as the concentration of EBT increased in both species, GPx showed decreased activity. EBT exposure also altered gut morphometry as well as the three main digestive enzymes activity (increase in lipase and trypsin activity, while decrease in amylase activity). In addition, the exposure of EBT had a significant impact on the gut microbiota of both species. C. batrachus demonstrated the suppression or absence of beneficial gut commensals (Bacillus and Cetobacterium), whereas H. fossilis revealed the proliferation and appearance of beneficial commensal microbes (Bacillus, Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Megashaera). Furthermore, the expansion or absence of these microbial communities indicated that the gut microbiota of both species was involved in dye digestion, immunity and detoxification. Overall, the percent change calculation of all the selected biomarkers, together with gut microbiota analysis, indicates that C. batrachus was more vulnerable to EBT exposure than H. fossilis. The present investigation effectively demonstrated the toxic impact of EBT on fish health by employing oxidative stress markers, digestive enzymes, and the fish gut microbiota as a promising tool for screening the impact of dye exposure on digestive physiology in toxicological research.

Fecal and vaginal microbiota of vaccinated and non-vaccinated pregnant elk challenged with Brucella abortus

Introduction

Brucella abortus is the causative agent of brucellosis in cattle and in humans, resulting in economic losses in the agricultural sector and representing a major threat to public health. Elk populations in the American Northwest are reservoirs for this bacterium and transmit the agent to domestic cattle herds. One potential strategy to mitigate the transmission of brucellosis by elk is vaccination of elk populations against B. abortus; however, elk appear to be immunologically distinct from cattle in their responses to current vaccination strategies. The differences in host response to B. abortus between cattle and elk could be attributed to differences between the cattle and elk innate and adaptive immune responses. Because species-specific interactions between the host microbiome and the immune system are also known to affect immunity, we sought to investigate interactions between the elk microbiome and B. abortus infection and vaccination.

Methods

We analyzed the fecal and vaginal microbial communities of B. abortus-vaccinated and unvaccinated elk which were challenged with B. abortus during the periparturient period.

Results

We observed that the elk fecal and vaginal microbiota are similar to those of other ruminants, and these microbial communities were affected both by time of sampling and by vaccination status. Notably, we observed that taxa representing ruminant reproductive tract pathogens tended to increase in abundance in the elk vaginal microbiome following parturition. Furthermore, many of these taxa differed significantly in abundance depending on vaccination status, indicating that vaccination against B. abortus affects the elk vaginal microbiota with potential implications for animal reproductive health.

Discussion

This study is the first to analyze the vaginal microbiota of any species of the genus Cervus and is also the first to assess the effects of B. abortus vaccination and challenge on the vaginal microbiome.

Stepwise co-fermented traditional Chinese medicine byproducts improve antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in a piglet model

BACKGROUND

Lianhua Qingwen capsule is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula having antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities. During capsule production, a large amount of byproducts will be yielded and disposed of as waste by burying. Resourceful utilization of these kinds of TCM byproducts as feed additives through stage-based co-fermentation using enzyme and probiotics could reduce environmental stress and resource shortage. The in vitro characterization and the supplementary effects of fermented TCM byproducts (FTCM) for weaned piglets (initial body weight: 7.23 ± 0.33 kg; dose: basal diet + 300 mg kg-1 FTCM) were investigated.

RESULTS

Higher reducing sugar content, total flavonoid content, flavonoid compounds (e.g. tectoridin, tricetin, flavone, apigenin, naringenin) and total antioxidant activity were determined in the FTCM compared to spontaneously fermented and unfermented materials. Supplementation of the FTCM to piglets did not significantly affect the feed intake, body weight gain and feed/gain ratio, but significantly decreased a proinflammatory cytokine, IL-8, and increased intestinal total antioxidant activity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Moreover, FTCM supplementation increased α-diversity of the colonic microbiota accompanied with increased abundance of Prevotella genus and Treponema berlinense species. Correlation analysis indicates that T. berlinense is responsible for the decreased IL-8 level and enhanced intestinal TAC and SOD activities which might be mediated by a homoserine lactone molecule (3-oxo-C14).

CONCLUSION

Overall, the stepwise co-fermentation enriched bioactive compounds within the TCM byproducts and their dietary supplementation did not generate any side effect on growth performance but displayed beneficial effects on enrichment of potential probiotic T. berlinense and relevant functions. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Gut microbiota in the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus Aculeatus) shows stability across gestation

Indigenous gut microbial communities (microbiota) play critical roles in health and may be especially important for the mother and fetus during pregnancy. Monotremes, such as the short-beaked echidna, have evolved to lay and incubate an egg, which hatches in their pouch where the young feeds. Since both feces and eggs pass through the cloaca, the fecal microbiota of female echidnas provides an opportunity for vertical transmission of microbes to their offspring. Here, we characterize the gut/fecal microbiome of female short-beaked echidnas and gain a better understanding of the changes that may occur in their microbiome as they go through pregnancy. Fecal samples from four female and five male echidnas were obtained from the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Queensland and sequenced to evaluate bacterial community structure. We identified 25 core bacteria, most of which were present in male and female samples. Genera such as Fusobacterium, Bacteroides, Escherichia-Shigella, and Lactobacillus were consistently abundant, regardless of sex or gestation stage, accounting for 58.00% and 56.14% of reads in male and female samples, respectively. The echidna microbiome remained stable across the different gestation stages, though there was a significant difference in microbiota composition between male and female echidnas. This study is the first to describe the microbiome composition of short-beaked echidnas across reproductive phases and allows the opportunity for this novel information to be used as a metric of health to aid in the detection of diseases triggered by microbiota dysbiosis.

Analysis of Gut Characteristics and Microbiota Changes with Maternal Supplementation in a Neural Tube Defect Mouse Model

Adequate nutrient supply is crucial for the proper development of the embryo. Although nutrient supply is determined by maternal diet, the gut microbiota also influences nutrient availability. While currently there is no cure for neural tube defects (NTDs), their prevention is largely amenable to maternal folic acid and inositol supplementation. The gut microbiota also contributes to the production of these nutrients, which are absorbed by the host, but its role in this context remains largely unexplored. In this study, we performed a functional and morphological analysis of the intestinal tract of loop-tail mice (Vangl2 mutants), a mouse model of folate/inositol-resistant NTDs. In addition, we investigated the changes in gut microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing regarding (1) the host genotype; (2) the sample source for metagenomics analysis; (3) the pregnancy status in the gestational window of neural tube closure; (4) folic acid and (5) D-chiro-inositol supplementation. We observed that Vangl2+/Lp mice showed no apparent changes in gastrointestinal transit time or fecal output, yet exhibited increased intestinal length and cecal weight and gut dysbiosis. Moreover, our results showed that the mice supplemented with folic acid and D-chiro-inositol had significant changes in their microbiota composition, which are changes that could have implications for nutrient absorption.

Metagenomic characterization of the cecal microbiota community and functions in finishing pigs fed fermented Boehmeria nivea

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea, BN) is used as livestock forage through suitable silage fermentation owing to its nutritional value. To date, relatively few studies have investigated the effects of dietary fermented BN (FBN) on gut health in finishing pigs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with 20% FBN on intestinal morphology, gene expression, and the functional response of the gut microbiota in finishing pigs. We found that FBN did not significantly affect serum antioxidant enzyme activities, ileal morphology, or the expression of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, or tight junction proteins in the liver of the pigs. However, the gene expression levels of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and interleukin 6 (IL6) were significantly downregulated in the ileum. A metagenomic analysis demonstrated that, compared with that seen in the control group, the cecal microbiota of pigs in the FBN treatment group was more closely clustered and contained a greater number of unique microbes. Bacteria were the predominant kingdom in the cecal microbiota, while Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla, and Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Prevotella were the dominant genera. Dietary FBN significantly increased the abundance of the probiotic bacterium Roseburia inulinivorans (p < 0.05). Functional analysis of the cecal microbiota showed that ABC transporter levels and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis-associated functions were diminished in FBN-fed pigs. Meanwhile, CAZyme analysis revealed that dietary FBN significantly downregulated the contents of carbohydrate-active enzymes, such as GT2, GH1, GH25, and GH13_31. In addition, cytochrome P450 analysis revealed that the abundance of CYP51 and CYP512 decreased with FBN treatment. An assessment of antibiotic resistance based on the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) annotation indicated that the cecal microbes from pigs in the FBN treatment group had increased resistance to lincosamide, streptogramin, and chloramphenicol and reduced resistance to amikacin, isepamicin, neomycin, lividomycin, gentamicin, paromomycin, ribostamycin, and butirosin. Finally, virulence factor-related analysis showed that putative hemolysin-associated functions were decreased, whereas fibronectin-binding protein, flagella, and alginate-associated functions were increased. Taken together, our data showed that FBN supplementation exerted only minor effects on intestinal morphology and microbial community composition, suggesting that it is potentially safe for use as a supplement in the diets of finishing pigs. However, more studies are needed to validate its functionality.

Maternal and/or post-weaning supplementation with Bacillus altitudinis spores modulates the microbial composition of colostrum, digesta and faeces in pigs

This study examined the effects of maternal and/or post-weaning Bacillus altitudinis supplementation on the microbiota in sow colostrum and faeces, and offspring digesta and faeces. Sows (n = 12/group) were assigned to: (1) standard diet (CON), or (2) CON supplemented with probiotic B. altitudinis spores (PRO) from day (d)100 of gestation to weaning (d26 of lactation). At weaning, offspring were assigned to CON or PRO for 28d, resulting in: (1) CON/CON, (2) CON/PRO, (3) PRO/CON, and (4) PRO/PRO, after which all received CON. Samples were collected from sows and selected offspring (n = 10/group) for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Rothia was more abundant in PRO sow colostrum. Sow faeces were not impacted but differences were identified in offspring faeces and digesta. Most were in the ileal digesta between PRO/CON and CON/CON on d8 post-weaning; i.e. Bacteroidota, Alloprevotella, Prevotella, Prevotellaceae, Turicibacter, Catenibacterium and Blautia were more abundant in PRO/CON, with Firmicutes and Blautia more abundant in PRO/PRO compared with CON/CON. Lactobacillus was more abundant in PRO/CON faeces on d118 post-weaning. This increased abundance of polysaccharide-fermenters (Prevotella, Alloprevotella, Prevotellaceae), butyrate-producers (Blautia) and Lactobacillus likely contributed to previously reported improvements in growth performance. Overall, maternal, rather than post-weaning, probiotic supplementation had the greatest impact on intestinal microbiota.

Reducing light exposure enhances the circadian rhythm of the biological clock through interactions with the gut microbiota

Light mainly synergistically regulates the central biological clock system. In farming, long-term light exposure may induce metabolic disorders and increase the load on the liver in laying hens. In contrast, intermittent photoperiods can reduce light exposure and increase rest time to improve the health of laying hens. The circadian rhythms of gut microbes are essential for the health of the host. However, the circadian rhythms of gut microbes and how those microbes interact with the host under intermittent photoperiods are not clear. We used laying hens as a model to evaluate the circadian rhythms of gut microbes and biological clock genes under different intermittent photoperiods. Intermittent photoperiod 1 (IP1, 16 [3 h -L/1 h -D]: 8 D) enhanced the circadian rhythms of cBmal1, cBmal2, cCry1, and cCry2 in the hypothalamus and increased the expression of cClock, cBmal1, and cCry2 in the liver and seven clock genes in the cecal wall. The intermittent photoperiod also significantly altered the composition and metabolic function of the cecal microbiota via the melatonin pathway. The concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and the abundance of SCFA-producing genera such as Odoribacter significantly increased under the IP1 treatment and might have further fed back into and strengthened the peripheral and central rhythms by activating the SCFA receptor gene pathway in cecal wall. These findings clarify the mediation mechanisms for the circadian rhythms of the central circadian clock and highlight the role of intermittent photoperiod-induced regulation of the interaction between the host clock and the cecal microbial community.

Intestinal Microflora Characteristics of Antheraea pernyi (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) Larvae With Vomit Disease

Antheraea pernyi Guérin-Méneville (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) is of high economic value as a source of silk, food, and bioactive substances with medicinal properties. A. pernyi larvae are prone to A. pernyi vomit disease (AVD), which results in substantial economic losses during cultivation; however, the relationship between AVD and A. pernyi gut microbiota remains unclear. Here, we investigated the bacterial community in the midgut and feces of A. pernyi larvae with and without AVD using 16S rRNA gene sequencing with Illumina MiSeq technology. Compared with healthy larvae, intestinal bacterial diversity and community richness increased and decreased in larvae with mild and severe AVD, respectively. In addition, the proportion of gut Enterobacter Hormaeche and Edwards(Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae) and Enterococcus Thiercelin and Jouhaud (Lactobacillales: Enterococcaceae) was higher and lower, respectively, in larvae with mild AVD than those in healthy larvae. A. pernyi vomit disease infection significantly increased the genera with abundance <1%. In the gut of larvae with severe AVD, the proportion of Turicibacter Bosshard et al. (Erysipelotrichales: Turicibacteraceae) increased significantly to 81.53-99.92%, whereas that of Enterobacter decreased compared with healthy larvae. However, the diversity of fecal bacteria was similar between healthy larvae and those with mild AVD. Overall, the findings demonstrate that intestinal microflora in A. pernyi larvae are altered by AVD infection and may cause secondary bacterial infection. This is the first report of the presence of Turicibacter in the intestinal tract of lepidopterans.

The Gut Microbiome and Female Health

The possession of two X chromosomes may come with the risk of various illnesses, females are more likely to be affected by osteoarthritis, heart disease, and anxiety. Given the reported correlations between gut microbiome dysbiosis and various illnesses, the female gut microbiome is worthy of exploration. Herein, we discuss the composition of the female gut microbiota and its dysbiosis in pathologies affecting the female population. Using PubMed, we performed a literature search, using key terms, namely: "gut microbiome", "estrogen", "menopause", "polycystic ovarian syndrome", "pregnancy", and "menstruation". In polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the abundance of Bacteroides vulgatus, Firmicutes, Streptococcus, and the ratio of Escherichia/Shigella was found to be increased while that of Tenericutes ML615J-28, Tenericutes 124-7, Akkermansia, Ruminococcaceae, and Bacteroidetes S24-7 was reduced. In breast cancer, the abundance of Clostridiales was enhanced, while in cervical cancer, Prevotella, Porphyromonas, and Dialister were enhanced but Bacteroides, Alistipes, and members of Lachnospiracea, were decreased. In ovarian cancer, Prevotella abundance was increased. Interestingly, the administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Lactobacillus fermentum ameliorated PCOS symptoms while that of a mix of Bifidobacterium lactis W51, Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, Lactobacillus brevis W63, Bifidobacterium lactis W52, Lactobacillus salivarius W24, Lactobacillus acidophilus W37, Lactococcus lactis W19, Lactobacillus casei W56, and Lactococcus lactis W58 alleviated vascular malfunction and arterial stiffness in obese postmenopausal women, and finally, while further research is needed, Prevotella maybe protective against postmenopausal bone mass loss. As several studies report the therapeutic potential of probiotics and since the gut microbiota of certain female pathological states has been relatively characterized, we speculate that the administration of certain bacterial species as probiotics is warranted, as novel independent or adjunct therapies for various female pathologies.