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PeerJ2019; 7; e6687; doi: 10.7717/peerj.6687

A longitudinal study of the faecal microbiome and metabolome of periparturient mares.

Abstract: Periparturient mares are at increased risk of colic including large colon volvulus, which has a high mortality rate. Alterations in colonic microbiota related to either physiological or management changes, or both, that occur at this time have been suggested as potential causes for increased colic risk in this population of horses. Although the effect of management changes on the horse faecal microbiota has been investigated, limited work has been conducted to investigate changes in faecal microbiota structure and function in the periparturient period. The objectives of the current study were to investigate temporal stability of the faecal microbiota and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of the faecal metabolome in periparturient mares. Methods: Faecal samples were collected weekly from five pregnant mares from 3 weeks pre-foaling to 7 weeks post-foaling. The microbiome data was generated by PCR amplification and sequencing of the V1-V2 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA genes, while the VOC profile was characterised using headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Results: The mare faecal microbiota was relatively stable over the periparturient period and most variation was associated with individual mares. A small number of operational taxonomic units were found to be significantly differentially abundant between samples collected before and after foaling. A total of 98 VOCs were identified. The total number of VOCs did not vary significantly between individual mares, weeks of sample collection and feeds available to the mares. Three VOCs (decane, 2-pentylfuran, and oct-2-ene) showed significant increase overtime on linear mixed effects modelling analysis. These results suggest that the mare faecal microbiota is structurally and functionally stable during the periparturient period. The findings also suggest that if changes in the gut microbiota are related to development of colic postpartum, altered risk may be due to inherent differences between individual mares. VOCs offer a cost-effective means of looking at the functional changes in the microbiome and warrant further investigation in mares at risk of colic.
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Publication Date: 2019-04-03 PubMed ID: 30976468PubMed Central: PMC6451438DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6687Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article focuses on studying changes in the faecal microbiota and volatile organic compounds in periparturient mares – mares around the time of giving birth. It aims to understand potential causes for increased risk of colic in periparturient mares, since management-induced changes in microbiota have been previously linked to this risk.

Study Objectives and Methodology

  • The study aims to understand the stability of the faecal microbiota (the bacterial community in faeces) and volatile organic compounds – metabolic byproducts of these bacteria – in the period before and after mares give birth.
  • The researchers collected faecal samples from five pregnant mares at weekly intervals, starting 3 weeks before birth and continuing for 7 weeks post-birth.
  • The microbiome data was obtained through PCR amplification and sequencing of specific bacterial genes in the faecal samples.
  • The volatile organic compounds were profiled using headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry, an analytical technique that helps analyze the gases present in the sample.

Results and Findings

  • The faecal microbiota of the mares was found to be relatively stable over the periparturient period. This means there were no major shifts in the types of bacteria present during this time.
  • The majority of the variation in microbiota was associated with individual mares, suggesting inherent differences between mares rather than external influences.
  • A few bacterial units were found to differ in abundance between samples taken before and after foaling, but these were a small number.
  • Ninety-eight unique volatile organic compounds were identified from the samples. The total number of these compounds did not differ significantly between the mares or at different weeks of sample collection.
  • Three specific volatile organic compounds showed a noticeable increase over time. These could be linked to changes in the microbiome function.

Implications of the Study

  • The research proposes that mares’ faecal microbiota remains stable through the birthing period, suggesting that any changes contributing to the risk of colic may be due to inherent differences between individual mares rather than changes induced by birthing.
  • The data on volatile organic compounds provides a cost-effective method to monitor functional changes in the microbiome over time, which could help identify mares at risk of colic.
  • More research would be needed to confirm these findings and further investigate the implications of the identified volatile organic compounds for horse health.

Cite This Article

APA
Salem SE, Hough R, Probert C, Maddox TW, Antczak P, Ketley JM, Williams NJ, Stoneham SJ, Archer DC. (2019). A longitudinal study of the faecal microbiome and metabolome of periparturient mares. PeerJ, 7, e6687. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6687

Publication

PeerJ
ISSN: 2167-8359
NlmUniqueID: 101603425
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 7
Pages: e6687
PII: e6687

Researcher Affiliations

Salem, Shebl E
  • Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst campus, Wirral, UK.
  • Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Al Sharquiya, Egypt.
Hough, Rachael
  • Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Probert, Chris
  • Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Maddox, Thomas W
  • Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Antczak, Philipp
  • Computational Biology Facility, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Ketley, Julian M
  • Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
Williams, Nicola J
  • Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst campus, Wirral, UK.
Stoneham, Sarah J
  • TopSpec Equine Ltd, Middle Park Farm, North Yorkshire, UK.
Archer, Debra C
  • Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst campus, Wirral, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Sarah J. Stoneham was employed by the Cheshire Equine Clinic during the period of sample collection and she is currently employed as an equine nutritionist by TopSpec Equine Ltd. North Yorkshire, UK.

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
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