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BMC research notes2013; 6; 91; doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-6-91

Comparison of microbial populations in the small intestine, large intestine and feces of healthy horses using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Abstract: The composition of the microbiota of the equine intestinal tract is complex. Determining whether the microbial composition of fecal samples is representative of proximal compartments of the digestive tract could greatly simplify future studies. The objectives of this study were to compare the microbial populations of the duodenum, ileum, cecum, colon and rectum (feces) within and between healthy horses, and to determine whether rectal (fecal) samples are representative of proximal segments of the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal samples were collected from ten euthanized horses. 16S rRNA gene PCR-based TRFLP was used to investigate microbiota richness in various segments of the gastrointestinal tract, and dice similarity indices were calculated to compare the samples. Results: Within horses large variations of microbial populations along the gastrointestinal tract were seen. The microbiota in rectal samples was only partially representative of other intestinal compartments. The highest similarity was obtained when feces were compared to the cecum. Large compartmental variations were also seen when microbial populations were compared between six horses with similar dietary and housing management. Conclusions: Rectal samples were not entirely representative of intestinal compartments in the small or large intestine. This should be taken into account when designing studies using fecal sampling to assess other intestinal compartments. Similarity between horses with similar dietary and husbandry management was also limited, suggesting that parts of the intestinal microbiota were unique to each animal in this study.
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Publication Date: 2013-03-12 PubMed ID: 23497580PubMed Central: PMC3622624DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-6-91Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 study explores the diversity of microbial populations in different sections of a horse’s digestive tract, including the small intestine, large intestine, and feces, and investigates whether fecal samples accurately reflect the microbiota present in other parts of the digestive tract.

Study Objectives and Methods

The main objectives of this study were to:

  • Compare microbial populations in different parts of the digestive tract such as the duodenum, ileum, cecum, colon, and rectum within and between healthy horses.
  • Determine whether microbial data gathered from rectal (or fecal) samples can be considered representative of the microbiota found in other, proximal sections of the gastrointestinal tract.

The study’s methodology involved collecting intestinal samples from ten horses that had been euthanized. The researchers then used a technique called 16S rRNA gene PCR-based Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (TRFLP) to analyze microbial richness in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract.

Findings of the Study

From the research, several crucial findings emerged:

  • There are significant variances in microbial populations along the horse’s gastrointestinal tract. The microbial composition of the rectal samples was only partially indicative of the microbiota in other sections of the intestine.
  • The highest similarity in microbiota composition was found when comparing the feces with the cecum (a pouch-like start of the large intestine).
  • Significant differences also emerged when comparing microbial populations among six horses kept under the same dietary and housing conditions. This suggests that elements of the intestinal microbiota are unique to each individual animal in this study.

Study Conclusions

Based on these findings, the study concludes that:

  • Rectal (fecal) samples don’t entirely represent the microbial populations of other compartments in the small or large intestine.
  • Researchers should factor this in when designing studies that rely on fecal sampling to investigate other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Individual horses seem to have unique intestinal microbial compositions, despite having similar diets and housing conditions. This implies individual factors influence the intestinal microbiota.

Cite This Article

APA
Schoster A, Arroyo LG, Staempfli HR, Weese JS. (2013). Comparison of microbial populations in the small intestine, large intestine and feces of healthy horses using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism. BMC Res Notes, 6, 91. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-6-91

Publication

BMC research notes
ISSN: 1756-0500
NlmUniqueID: 101462768
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 6
Pages: 91

Researcher Affiliations

Schoster, Angelika
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada. aschoste@uoguelph.ca
Arroyo, Luis Guillermo
    Staempfli, Henry Rolf
      Weese, Jeffrey Scott

        MeSH Terms

        • Animal Feed
        • Animals
        • Feces / microbiology
        • Female
        • Horses
        • Intestine, Large / microbiology
        • Intestine, Small / microbiology
        • Male
        • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
        • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
        • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / metabolism

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