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Applied and environmental microbiology2019; 86(1); e02093-19; doi: 10.1128/AEM.02093-19

“Bowel on the Bench”: Proof of Concept of a Three-Stage, In Vitro Fermentation Model of the Equine Large Intestine.

Abstract: The intestinal microbiota of the horse, an animal of huge economic and social importance worldwide, is essential to the health of the animal. Understanding the intestinal ecosystem and its dynamic interaction with diet and dietary supplements currently requires the use of experimental animals, with consequent welfare and financial constraints. Here, we describe the development and assessment, using multiple analytical platforms, of a three-vessel, continuous-flow, model of the equine hindgut. After inoculation of the model with fresh horse feces, the bacterial communities established in each vessel had a taxonomic distribution similar to that of the source animal. Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA) production within the model at steady state was consistent with the expected bacterial function, although higher concentrations of some SCFA/BCFA relative to those in the gut content were apparent. We demonstrate the intermodel repeatability and the ability of the model to capture some aspects of individual variation in bacterial community profiles. The findings of this proof-of-concept study, including recognition of the limitions of the model, support its future development as a tool for investigating the impact of disease, nutrition, dietary supplementation, and medication on the equine intestinal microbiota. The equine gut model that we have developed and describe has the potential to facilitate the exploration of how the equine gut microbiota is affected by diet, disease, and medication. It is a convenient, cost-effective, and welfare-friendly alternative to research models.
Copyright © 2019 American Society for Microbiology.
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Publication Date: 2019-12-13 PubMed ID: 31676474PubMed Central: PMC6912081DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02093-19Google 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 presents the development of a three-stage in vitro model that simulates the horse’s large intestine and its microbial community. The model is designed to allow researchers to study the effects of various factors such as diet, disease, and medication on the equine intestinal microbiota without having to use live animals, making it a cost-effective and welfare-friendly alternative.

Background of the Research

  • The study revolves around the importance of understanding the intestinal ecosystem of horses, particularly the role of the microorganisms living in it. This is crucial for maintaining or improving the health and well-being of these animals.
  • Prior to developing this model, researchers have been using live animals to study these interactions, which posed ethical concerns for animal welfare and also involved significant costs.
  • The researchers sought to create a more ethical, economical and convenient solution for this purpose.

Development of the Model

  • The team developed a three-vessel, continuous-flow model that simulates the horse’s large intestine. They filled this model with fresh horse feces to kickstart the cultivation of the bacterial communities.
  • After some time, the bacterial distribution in each vessel began to resemble the one from the original sample, showing that the model does indeed represent the equine intestinal ecosystem well.
  • The model also produced short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA), which are products of bacterial metabolism and are consistent with expected bacterial functions.
  • However, some relative concentrations of SCFA and BCFA were higher than those in the actual gut content of horses.

Findings and Potentials of the Model

  • The study proved that the model is able to replicate, to a certain extent, the bacterial community profiles from different individuals, demonstrating the repeatability and reliability of the developed model.
  • Though the model cannot perfectly replicate the intricate ecosystem of the equine gut (with some differences observed in the production of certain fatty acids), it provides valuable insights and serves as a starting point for further development.
  • With this model, researchers can easily investigate how the horse’s intestinal microbiota is affected by various factors such as diet, diseases, dietary supplementation, and medication without the need for using live animals. Therefore, it is a cost-effective, welfare-friendly, and easier to manage solution for future studies on equine intestinal health.

Conclusions

  • The team acknowledges the limitations of the current model and recognizes that improvements can be made.
  • Nevertheless, they believe this proof-of-concept study provides a platform for further research into the equine intestinal microbiota and ultimately contributes to the improved well-being of horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Leng J, Walton G, Swann J, Darby A, La Ragione R, Proudman C. (2019). “Bowel on the Bench”: Proof of Concept of a Three-Stage, In Vitro Fermentation Model of the Equine Large Intestine. Appl Environ Microbiol, 86(1), e02093-19. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02093-19

Publication

Applied and environmental microbiology
ISSN: 1098-5336
NlmUniqueID: 7605801
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 86
Issue: 1
PII: e02093-19

Researcher Affiliations

Leng, J
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom j.leng@surrey.ac.uk.
Walton, G
  • Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom.
Swann, J
  • Division of Integrative Systems Medicine and Digestive Diseases, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
Darby, A
  • School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
La Ragione, R
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom.
Proudman, C
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids, Volatile / metabolism
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Fermentation / physiology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / physiology
  • Horses
  • In Vitro Techniques / methods
  • Intestine, Large / chemistry
  • Intestine, Large / microbiology
  • Intestine, Large / physiology
  • Models, Biological

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Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
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