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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Development of intestinal microflora and occurrence of diarr...
BMC veterinary research2015; 11; 34; doi: 10.1186/s12917-015-0355-3

Development of intestinal microflora and occurrence of diarrhoea in sucking foals: effects of Bacillus cereus var. toyoi supplementation.

Abstract: Almost all foals develop transient diarrhoea within the first weeks of life. Studies indicated different viral, bacterial, and parasitic causes, such as rotavirus, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, and Cryptosporidium are discussed. But little is known about the development of intestinal microflora in foals. The present study investigated whether the supplementation with Bacillus cereus var. toyoi would modify the developing intestinal microflora and consequently reduce diarrhoea in foals. From birth, the foals were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: placebo (10 mL isotonic NaCl, n = 8), low dosage (LD; 5 × 10(8) cfu B. cereus var. toyoi, n = 7) and high dosage (HD; 2 × 10(9) cfu B. cereus var. toyoi, n = 10). Treatment groups were supplemented orally once a day for 58 days. Faeces scoring and sampling were performed within the first 24 h after birth and on day 9, 16, 23, 30, 44, 58 of the foal's life and also on the first day of diarrhoea. Culture-plate methods were used to analyse the bacterial microflora. Results: Eighty-eight per cent of the foals developed diarrhoea (placebo 7/8, LD 5/7, HD 10/10) during the first 58 days of life. Bacillus cereus var. toyoi supplementation had no effect on bacterial microflora. Clostridium perfringens and enterobacteria were equally prevalent in foals with diarrhoea and those who were not afflicted. Conclusions: We conclude that the supplementation of B. cereus var. toyoi had no effect on the occurrence of diarrhoea and health status in the foals.
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Publication Date: 2015-02-14 PubMed ID: 25889817PubMed Central: PMC4333172DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0355-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • 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 investigates the effects of supplementing the diet of newborn foals with Bacillus cereus var. toyoi on the development of their intestinal bacteria and the occurrence of diarrhoea. However, the results show that the supplementation does not have any effect on both factors.

Objective of the Research

  • This study aims to explore whether supplementing Bacillus cereus var. toyoi in the diet of newborn foals can modify their developing intestinal bacteria, and as a result, reduce the occurrence of diarrhoea.

Design of the Experiment

  • New-born foals were randomly divided into three treatment groups: a placebo group given 10 mL isotonic NaCl, a low dosage group given 5 × 10(8) cfu B. cereus var. toyoi, and a high dosage group given 2 × 10(9) cfu B. cereus var. toyoi.
  • The foals received their respective treatments orally once daily for 58 days. Their fecal matter was scored and sampled at several intervals during this period, and on the first day they showed signs of diarrhoea.
  • The bacteria in the fecal matter were then analyzed using culture-plate methods.

Diarrhoea Occurrence among Foals

  • During the 58 days of the experiment, 88% of the foals experienced diarrhoea. This was particularly evident in the placebo (7/8), low dosage (5/7), and high dosage (10/10) groups.

Effects of Bacillus cereus var. toyoi Supplementation

  • Supplementing Bacillus cereus var. toyoi to the foals’ diet was found to have no effect on their intestinal bacteria.
  • The presence of Clostridium perfringens and enterobacteria was consistent in both the foals with diarrhoea and those without.

Conclusion

  • The research concludes that administering Bacillus cereus var. toyoi supplements to foals does not influence the occurrence of diarrhoea or their health status overall.

Cite This Article

APA
John J, Roediger K, Schroedl W, Aldaher N, Vervuert I. (2015). Development of intestinal microflora and occurrence of diarrhoea in sucking foals: effects of Bacillus cereus var. toyoi supplementation. BMC Vet Res, 11, 34. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0355-3

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Pages: 34
PII: 34

Researcher Affiliations

John, Jenny
  • Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. jenny-john@gmx.de.
  • Present address: Tierklinik Teisendorf, Teisendorf, Germany. jenny-john@gmx.de.
Roediger, Kathrin
  • Pferdeklinik Großostheim, Großostheim, Germany. roediger@pferdeklinik-grossostheim.de.
Schroedl, Wieland
  • Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. schroedl@vetmed.uni-leipzig.de.
Aldaher, Nada
  • Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. nada-mibi@hotmail.de.
Vervuert, Ingrid
  • Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. ingrid.vervuert@vetmed.uni-leipzig.de.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Suckling / microbiology
  • Bacillus cereus / metabolism
  • Clostridium perfringens / metabolism
  • Diarrhea / diet therapy
  • Diarrhea / microbiology
  • Diarrhea / veterinary
  • Enterobacteriaceae / metabolism
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / physiology
  • Horse Diseases / diet therapy
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horses / microbiology
  • Lactobacillus / metabolism
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
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