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Zheng P, Gao W, Cong S, Leng L, Wang T, Shi L. High-Energy Supplemental Feeding Shifts Gut Microbiota Composition and Function in Red Deer ( Cervus elaphus). Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1428. [PMID: 38791646 PMCID: PMC11117297 DOI: 10.3390/ani14101428] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Winter supplemental feeding (SF) is commonly used to improve the survival of captive wildlife. To investigate the impact of winter supplementation on the gut microbiota of wildlife, we assessed changes in the gut microbiota of red deer (Cervus elaphus) during the supplementary and non-supplementary feeding (NSF) groups using 16S rRNA sequencing technology. We found no significant differences in the diversity of the gut microbiota between SF and NSF except for the Simpson's index. However, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Lentisphaerae, and Proteobacteria in the gut microbiota was significantly higher during SF. Further, genera such as Intestinimonas, Rikenella, Lawsonibacter, Muribaculum, and Papillibacter were more abundant during SF. Beta diversity analysis showed significant differences between SF and NSF. The microbes detected during SF were primarily associated with lipid metabolism, whereas those detected during NSF were linked to fiber catabolism. High-energy feed affects the gut microbial composition and function in red deer. During SF, the gut microbes in red deer were enriched in microorganisms associated with butyrate and lipid metabolism, such as R. microfusus, M. intestinale, and Papillibacter cinnamivorans. These gut microbes may be involved in ameliorating obesity associated with high-energy diets. In summary, SF is a reasonable and effective management strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zheng
- College of Animal Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (P.Z.); (W.G.)
- Key Laboratory of Ecological Adaptation and Evolution of Extreme Environment Biology in Xinjiang, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (L.L.); (T.W.)
| | - Weizhen Gao
- College of Animal Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (P.Z.); (W.G.)
- Key Laboratory of Ecological Adaptation and Evolution of Extreme Environment Biology in Xinjiang, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (L.L.); (T.W.)
| | - Shaobo Cong
- Xinjiang Tianshan Wildlife Park, Urumqi 830039, China;
| | - Lin Leng
- Key Laboratory of Ecological Adaptation and Evolution of Extreme Environment Biology in Xinjiang, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (L.L.); (T.W.)
| | - Tao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ecological Adaptation and Evolution of Extreme Environment Biology in Xinjiang, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (L.L.); (T.W.)
| | - Lei Shi
- College of Animal Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (P.Z.); (W.G.)
- Key Laboratory of Ecological Adaptation and Evolution of Extreme Environment Biology in Xinjiang, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (L.L.); (T.W.)
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Huang J, Sheng Y, Xue P, Yu D, Guan P, Ren J, Qian W. Patterns of Spatial Variation in Rumen Microbiology, Histomorphology, and Fermentation Parameters in Tarim wapiti ( Cervus elaphus yarkandensis). Microorganisms 2024; 12:216. [PMID: 38276201 PMCID: PMC10820752 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010216] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The rumen is divided into multiple rumen sacs based on anatomical structure, and each has its unique physiological environment. Tarim wapiti preserved roughage tolerance after domestication, and adaptation to the desertified environment led to the development of a unique rumen shape and intraruminal environment. In this work, six Tarim wapiti were chosen and tested for fermentation parameters, microbes, and histomorphology in four rumen areas (Dorsal sac, DS; Ventral sac, VS; Caudodorsal blind sac, CDBS; Caudoventral blind sac, CVBS). Tarim wapiti's rumen blind sac had better developed rumen histomorphology, the ventral sac was richer in VFAs, and the dominant bacteria varied most notably in the phylum Firmicutes, which was enriched in the caudoventral blind sac. The ventral sac biomarkers focused on carbohydrate fermentation-associated bacteria, the dorsal sac focused on N recycling, and the caudoventral blind sac identified the only phylum-level bacterium, Firmicutes; we were surprised to find a probiotic bacterium, Bacillus clausii, identified as a biomarker in the ventral sac. This research provides a better understanding of rumen fermentation parameters, microorganisms, and histomorphology in the Tarim wapiti rumen within a unique ecological habitat, laying the groundwork for future regulation targeting the rumen microbiota and subsequent animal production improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhi Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China; (J.H.); (Y.S.); (P.X.); (D.Y.); (P.G.); (J.R.)
| | - Yueyun Sheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China; (J.H.); (Y.S.); (P.X.); (D.Y.); (P.G.); (J.R.)
| | - Pengfei Xue
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China; (J.H.); (Y.S.); (P.X.); (D.Y.); (P.G.); (J.R.)
| | - Donghui Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China; (J.H.); (Y.S.); (P.X.); (D.Y.); (P.G.); (J.R.)
| | - Peng Guan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China; (J.H.); (Y.S.); (P.X.); (D.Y.); (P.G.); (J.R.)
| | - Jiangang Ren
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China; (J.H.); (Y.S.); (P.X.); (D.Y.); (P.G.); (J.R.)
| | - Wenxi Qian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China; (J.H.); (Y.S.); (P.X.); (D.Y.); (P.G.); (J.R.)
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science & Technology, Xinjiang Production & Construction Group, Alar 843300, China
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Crates R, Stojanovic D, Heinsohn R. The phenotypic costs of captivity. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:434-449. [PMID: 36341701 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12913] [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: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The breeding of threatened species in captivity for release is a central tool in conservation biology. Given gloomy predictions for biodiversity trends in the Anthropocene, captive breeding will play an increasingly important role in preventing future extinctions. Relative to the wild, captive environments drastically alter selection pressures on animals. Phenotypic change in captive animals in response to these altered selection pressures can incur fitness costs post-release, jeopardising their potential contribution to population recovery. We explore the ways in which captive environments can hinder the expression of wild phenotypes. We also stress that the phenotypes of captive-bred animals differ from their wild counterparts in multiple ways that remain poorly understood. We propose five new research questions relating to the impact of captive phenotypes on reintroduction biology. With better use of monitoring and experimental reintroductions, a more robust evidence base should help inform adaptive management and minimise the phenotypic costs of captivity, improving the success of animal reintroductions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross Crates
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Linnaeus Way, Acton, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Dejan Stojanovic
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Linnaeus Way, Acton, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Robert Heinsohn
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Linnaeus Way, Acton, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
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Zhong C, Griffin LL, Heussaff O, O’Dea R, Whelan C, Stewart G. Sex-Related Differences in UT-B Urea Transporter Abundance in Fallow Deer Rumen. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9020073. [PMID: 35202326 PMCID: PMC8878845 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9020073] [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] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Rumen studies have focused almost exclusively on livestock species under strictly regimented diets. This means that the ruminal condition of free-living and free-feeding wildlife remains practically unstudied. Urea nitrogen salvaging, a process by which urea is passed into the rumen, to both provide a valuable source of nitrogen for bacterial growth and to buffer the potentially harmful acidic effects of bacterial short chain fatty acids, has remained unexplored in wild ruminants, such as deer. UT-B2 transporters are the key proteins reported to facilitate the transepithelial ruminal urea transport. In this study, we investigate the expression, abundance and localisation of urea transporters in the rumen of a semi-wild fallow deer (Dama dama) population. Physical measurements confirmed that males had larger rumen than females, while adults had longer papillae than juveniles. Initial RT-PCR experiments confirmed the expression of UT-B2, while immunolocalisation studies revealed that strong UT-B staining was present in the stratum basale of deer rumen. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that a 50 kDa UT-B2 protein was significantly more abundant in adult females compared to adult males. This study confirms the presence of UT-B2 urea transporters in deer rumen and suggests that sex-related differences occur, bringing new insight into our understanding of rumen physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongliang Zhong
- School of Biology & Environmental Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (C.Z.); (L.L.G.); (O.H.); (R.O.); (C.W.)
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Laura L. Griffin
- School of Biology & Environmental Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (C.Z.); (L.L.G.); (O.H.); (R.O.); (C.W.)
| | - Orla Heussaff
- School of Biology & Environmental Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (C.Z.); (L.L.G.); (O.H.); (R.O.); (C.W.)
| | - Ruairi O’Dea
- School of Biology & Environmental Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (C.Z.); (L.L.G.); (O.H.); (R.O.); (C.W.)
| | - Conor Whelan
- School of Biology & Environmental Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (C.Z.); (L.L.G.); (O.H.); (R.O.); (C.W.)
| | - Gavin Stewart
- School of Biology & Environmental Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (C.Z.); (L.L.G.); (O.H.); (R.O.); (C.W.)
- Correspondence:
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