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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Microbiome / Development of the equine hindgut microbiome in semi-feral a...
Animal microbiome2020; 2(1); 43; doi: 10.1186/s42523-020-00060-6

Development of the equine hindgut microbiome in semi-feral and domestic conventionally-managed foals.

Abstract: Early development of the gut microbiome is an essential part of neonate health in animals. It is unclear whether the acquisition of gut microbes is different between domesticated animals and their wild counterparts. In this study, fecal samples from ten domestic conventionally managed (DCM) Standardbred and ten semi-feral managed (SFM) Shetland-type pony foals and dams were compared using 16S rRNA sequencing to identify differences in the development of the foal hindgut microbiome related to time and management. Results: Gut microbiome diversity of dams was lower than foals overall and within groups, and foals from both groups at Week 1 had less diverse gut microbiomes than subsequent weeks. The core microbiomes of SFM dams and foals had more taxa overall, and greater numbers of taxa within species groups when compared to DCM dams and foals. The gut microbiomes of SFM foals demonstrated enhanced diversity of key groups: Verrucomicrobia (RFP12), Ruminococcaceae, Fusobacterium spp., and Bacteroides spp., based on age and management. Lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus spp. and other Lactobacillaceae genera were enriched only in DCM foals, specifically during their second and third week of life. Predicted microbiome functions estimated computationally suggested that SFM foals had higher mean sequence counts for taxa contributing to the digestion of lipids, simple and complex carbohydrates, and protein. DCM foal microbiomes were more similar to their dams in week five and six than were SFM foals at the same age. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the impact of management on the development of the foal gut microbiome in the first 6 weeks of life. The higher numbers of taxa within and between bacterial groups found in SFM dams and foals suggests more diversity and functional redundancy in their gut microbiomes, which could lend greater stability and resiliency to these communities. The colonization of lactic acid bacteria in the early life of DCM foals suggests enrichment in response to the availability of dams' feed. Thus, management type is an important driver of gut microbiome establishment on horses, and we may look to semi-feral horses for guidance in defining a healthy gut microbiome for domestic horses.
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Publication Date: 2020-11-23 PubMed ID: 33499959PubMed Central: PMC7807438DOI: 10.1186/s42523-020-00060-6Google 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 study investigates the development of gut microbiome in foals, comparing those living in a semi-feral environment with those in domestic settings. The findings demonstrate that the type of management has an effect on the variety and functions of gut microbes, with the semi-feral foals displaying greater microbial diversity suggesting better resilience and stability within their microbiomes.

Objectives and Methodology

  • The aim of the study was to ascertain if the process of gut microbe acquisition differs between wild and domesticated animals. The researchers chose to compare semi-feral managed (SFM) Shetland-type pony foals with domestic conventionally managed (DCM) Standardbred foals.
  • The study collected fecal samples from both sets of foals and their mothers, or dams. This data was then analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing – a method that identifies and categorizes the different bacteria present in the samples.

Main Findings

  • The research results showed that diversity in dam gut microbiomes was lower than in the foals. It was also observed that one-week-old foals of both groups had less diverse gut microbiomes than in the following weeks.
  • In comparison to the DCM foals, the SFM foals and dams had a more diverse core gut microbiome. Greater number of different species and bacteria groups were found within their guts. Further, certain key groups like Verrucomicrobia, Ruminococcaceae, Fusobacterium spp., and Bacteroides spp. displayed enhanced diversity in SFM foals.
  • However, it was found that lactic acid bacteria, specifically Lactobacillus spp. and other Lactobacillaceae genera, were only enriched in DCM foals. Predominantly, this was observed in the second and third week of their life.
  • It was also predicted that SFM foals have higher mean sequence counts for bacteria that contribute to digestion of lipids, simple and complex carbohydrates, and protein, compared to DCM foals.
  • Overall, the gut microbiomes of DCM foals were more similar to their dams in week five and six than were SFM foals at the same age.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study concludes that the type of management plays a crucial role in the development of the foal’s gut microbiome within the first six weeks of life.
  • The higher diversity of microbiomes observed in SFM foals suggests they have more stability and resilience, due to the potential functional redundancy. This could be significant in understanding the optimal gut health in horses.
  • The enrichment of lactic acid bacteria in DCM foals during early life is likely a response to the dams’ diet and feeding pattern. Further exploration could help improve the diets and feeding regime for domestic horses.
  • This study suggests that observing semi-feral horses could provide insights into developing a healthy gut microbiome for domesticated horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Tavenner MK, McDonnell SM, Biddle AS. (2020). Development of the equine hindgut microbiome in semi-feral and domestic conventionally-managed foals. Anim Microbiome, 2(1), 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42523-020-00060-6

Publication

Animal microbiome
ISSN: 2524-4671
NlmUniqueID: 101759457
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 2
Issue: 1
Pages: 43
PII: 43

Researcher Affiliations

Tavenner, Meredith K
  • Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Newark, DE, 19711, USA.
McDonnell, Sue M
  • Havemeyer Equine Behavior Laboratory, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA, 19348, USA.
Biddle, Amy S
  • Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Newark, DE, 19711, USA. asbiddle@udel.edu.

Conflict of Interest Statement

None of the authors have any conflict of interest to declare.

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