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Microbes and environments2016; 31(4); 378-386; doi: 10.1264/jsme2.ME16061

Diet-Dependent Modular Dynamic Interactions of the Equine Cecal Microbiota.

Abstract: Knowledge on dynamic interactions in microbiota is pivotal for understanding the role of bacteria in the gut. We herein present comprehensive dynamic models of the horse cecal microbiota, which include short-chained fatty acids, carbohydrate metabolic networks, and taxonomy. Dynamic models were derived from time-series data in a crossover experiment in which four cecum-cannulated horses were fed a starch-rich diet of hay supplemented with barley (starch intake 2 g kg body weight per day) and a fiber-rich diet of only hay. Cecal contents were sampled via the cannula each h for 24 h for both diets. We observed marked differences in the microbial dynamic interaction patterns for Fibrobacter succinogenes, Lachnospiraceae, Streptococcus, Treponema, Anaerostipes, and Anaerovibrio between the two diet groups. Fluctuations and microbiota interactions were the most pronounced for the starch rich diet, with Streptococcus spp. and Anaerovibrio spp. showing the largest fluctuations. Shotgun metagenome sequencing revealed that diet differences may be explained by modular switches in metabolic cross-feeding between microbial consortia in which fermentation is linked to sugar alcohols and amino sugars for the starch-rich diet and monosaccharides for the fiber-rich diet. In conclusion, diet may not only affect the composition of the cecal microbiota, but also dynamic interactions and metabolic cross-feeding.
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Publication Date: 2016-10-21 PubMed ID: 27773914PubMed Central: PMC5158109DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.ME16061Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

The research examines the relationship between diet and the interactions and metabolic functioning of bacteria in the gut of horses. It finds that a starch-rich diet compared to a fiber-rich diet results in more pronounced fluctuations and dynamic interactions amongst the gut microbiota, which could be linked to variations in metabolic cross-feeding.

Objective and Methodology of the Research

  • The goal of this study is to understand the dynamic interactions in gut microbiota of horses, primarily its role and connection to the horse’s diet—specifically comparing a starch-rich diet to a fiber-rich diet.
  • This understanding was sought through the development of comprehensive dynamic models of horse cecal microbiota. These models incorporated elements such as short-chained fatty acids, carbohydrate metabolic networks, and taxonomy.
  • The research utilized a crossover experiment involving four cecum-cannulated horses. They were fed with a starch-rich diet supplemented with barley and a fiber-rich diet consisting only of hay. The horses’ cecal contents were sampled every hour for 24 hours for both diets.

Key Findings of the Research

  • The study identified noticeable differences in microbial dynamic interaction patterns between the two diet types for several species of bacteria such as Fibrobacter succinogenes, Lachnospiraceae, Streptococcus, etc.
  • The fluctuations and microbiota interactions were most pronounced for the starch-rich diet, with Streptococcus spp. and Anaerovibrio spp. exhibiting the largest fluctuations.
  • Shotgun metagenome sequencing revealed that modular switches in metabolic cross-feeding between microbial consortia could explain this diet-influenced dynamic interaction. They found different links—sugar alcohols and amino sugars in the starch-rich diet and monosaccharides in the fiber-rich diet.

Conclusion of the Research

  • The researchers concluded that the type of diet fed to the horses not only impacted the composition of the cecal microbiota but also influenced the dynamic interactions and metabolic cross-feeding amongst the gut microbiota. Thus suggesting the importance of diet in the management of the gut health of horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Kristoffersen C, Jensen RB, Avershina E, Austbø D, Tauson AH, Rudi K. (2016). Diet-Dependent Modular Dynamic Interactions of the Equine Cecal Microbiota. Microbes Environ, 31(4), 378-386. https://doi.org/10.1264/jsme2.ME16061

Publication

Microbes and environments
ISSN: 1347-4405
NlmUniqueID: 9710937
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 31
Issue: 4
Pages: 378-386

Researcher Affiliations

Kristoffersen, Camilla
  • Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
Jensen, Rasmus B
    Avershina, Ekaterina
      Austbø, Dag
        Tauson, Anne-Helene
          Rudi, Knut

            MeSH Terms

            • Animal Feed
            • Animals
            • Bacteria / classification
            • Bacteria / isolation & purification
            • Carbohydrates / analysis
            • Cecum / microbiology
            • Diet / methods
            • Fatty Acids / analysis
            • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
            • Horses

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 8 times.
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