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Scientific reports2024; 14(1); 12903; doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-63868-1

Dysbiosis not observed in Canadian horse with free fecal liquid (FFL) using 16S rRNA sequencing.

Abstract: Free Fecal Liquid (FFL), also termed Fecal Water Syndrome (FWS), is an ailment in horses characterized by variable solid and liquid (water) phases at defecation. The liquid phase can be excreted before, during, or after the solid defecation phase. While the underlying causes of FFL are unknown, hindgut dysbiosis is suggested to be associated with FFL. Three European studies investigated dysbiosis in horses with FFL using 16S rRNA sequencing and reported results that conflicted between each other. In the present study, we also used 16S rRNA sequencing to study the fecal microbial composition in 14 Canadian horses with FFL, and 11 healthy stable mate controls. We found no significant difference in fecal microbial composition between FFL and healthy horses, which further supports that dysbiosis is not associated with FFL.
© 2024. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2024-06-05 PubMed ID: 38839848PubMed Central: PMC11153561DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63868-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article presents the investigation conducted on Canadian horses suffering from Free Fecal Liquid (FFL), a health condition characterized by erratic defecation with variable solid and liquid phases. The study, employing 16S rRNA sequencing methodology, discovered no significant difference in fecal microbial composition between healthy horses and those with FFL, suggesting that the condition isn’t associated with dysbiosis.

About the Research

  • The research seeks to resolve contradictory findings from previous European studies, investigating the link between dysbiosis — disturbance or imbalance in the gut microbiota — and FFL in horses. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, the study engages a sample size of 14 Canadian horses with FFL and contrasts their fecal microbial composition against 11 healthy horses.

Key Findings

  • The investigation did not identify any significant differences in the fecal microbial composition between unhealthy (with FFL condition) and healthy horses, suggesting that there is no association between FFL and dysbiosis.

Implications of the Research

  • The research contributes to the broader understanding of FFL, wherein current knowledge of this as yet incompletely understood ailment is primarily speculative.
  • It aids in debunking assumptions about the relation between dysbiosis and FFL, pointing towards a requirement for more comprehensive research to understand the actual causes of FFL condition in horses.
  • The findings could potentially aid in devising more effective treatment methods, as solutions targeted towards managing dysbiosis may not be beneficial for FFL health condition in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Wester RJ, Baillie LL, McCarthy GC, Keever CC, Jeffery LE, Adams PJ. (2024). Dysbiosis not observed in Canadian horse with free fecal liquid (FFL) using 16S rRNA sequencing. Sci Rep, 14(1), 12903. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63868-1

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 1
Pages: 12903

Researcher Affiliations

Wester, Robert J
  • Applied Genomics Centre, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, BC, Canada.
Baillie, Lyndsey L
  • Applied Genomics Centre, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, BC, Canada.
McCarthy, Garrett C
  • Applied Genomics Centre, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, BC, Canada.
Keever, Carson C
  • Faculty of Science, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, BC, Canada.
Jeffery, Lauren E
  • Agwest Veterinary Group Ltd., Abbotsford, BC, Canada.
Adams, Paul J
  • Applied Genomics Centre, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, BC, Canada. paul.adams@kpu.ca.
  • Faculty of Science, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, BC, Canada. paul.adams@kpu.ca.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Feces / microbiology
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Dysbiosis / microbiology
  • Dysbiosis / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Male
  • Canada
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / genetics

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Porter MM, Davis DJ, McAdams ZL, Townsend KS, Martin LM, Wilhite C, Johnson PJ, Ericsson AC. Alterations in the Microbiome of Horses Affected with Fecal Water Syndrome. Vet Sci 2025 Jul 31;12(8).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12080724pubmed: 40872676google scholar: lookup
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