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Equine veterinary journal2018; 51(2); 231-237; doi: 10.1111/evj.12983

Early colonisation and temporal dynamics of the gut microbial ecosystem in Standardbred foals.

Abstract: Even if horses strictly depend on the gut microbiota for energy homeostasis, only a few molecular studies have focused on its characterisation and none on the perinatal gut microbial colonisation process. Objective: To explore the perinatal colonisation process of the foal gut microbial ecosystem and the temporal dynamics of the ecosystem assembly during the first days of life. Methods: Longitudinal study. Methods: Thirteen Standardbred mare-foal pairs were included in the study. For each pair, at delivery we collected the mare amniotic fluid, faeces and colostrum, and the foal meconium. Milk samples and faeces of both mare and foal were also taken longitudinally, until day 10 post-partum. Samples were analysed by means of next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene on Illumina MiSeq. Results: Our findings suggest that microbial components derived from the mare symbiont communities establishes in the foal gut since fetal life. After birth, an external transmission route of mare microorganisms takes place. This involves a rapid and dynamic process of assembling the mature foal gut microbiome, in which the founder microbial species are derived from both the milk and the gut microbial ecosystems of the mare. Conclusions: The inability to discriminate between live and dead cells, the possible presence of contaminating bacteria in low biomass samples (e.g. meconium and amniotic fluid), the limits of the phylogenetic assignment down to species level, and the presence of unassigned operational taxonomic units. Conclusions: Our data highlight the importance of mare microbiomes as a key factor for the establishment of the gut microbial ecosystem of the foal.
© 2018 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2018-07-25 PubMed ID: 29931762DOI: 10.1111/evj.12983Google 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.

The research paper examines the development and alteration of gut microbiota in newborn Standardbred foals and the impact of their mothers’ microbiomes in this process.

Objective and Methodology

The research was conducted with the primary aim to explore and understand the colonization process of gut microbes in foals during the perinatal period. Further, the study closely analyzed the temporal dynamics of how this ecosystem assembles in the early days of a foal’s life.

  • The study used a longitudinal approach and involved 13 pairs of Standardbred mares and their foals.
  • Various kinds of samples, including foal meconium, mare colostrum, faeces, milk, and amniotic fluid sampled at delivery, were collected.
  • Post-delivery, periodic collection of faecal and milk samples from both mares and foals continued up to the 10th day.
  • All samples were examined through next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene on an Illumina MiSeq machine.

Findings

The research produced important findings on how the gut microbiota in foals develops and matures from the perinatal period up to the first few days after birth.

  • It was observed that the gut microbiome of foals begins to acquire microbial components from mares while still in the womb.
  • Following birth, the foals continue to obtain additional microbes from mares externally, leading to the dynamic and rapid development of a mature gut microbiome in the foal.
  • The founding microbial species of the foal’s gut microbiota are derived mainly from the mare’s milk and gut microbiomes.

Conclusions

This study yields significant insights into the gut microbiota development in newborn foals; however, there are a few limitations.

  • The research could not differentiate between live and dead cells in the microbiota, which poses a limitation on interpretations.
  • Potential contamination by bacteria in low biomass samples such as meconium and amniotic fluid could affect results.
  • Phylogenetic assignment’s restrictions on species-level specificity and the presence of unassigned operational taxonomic units are also limitations.

The study concludes by emphasizing the major role played by mare microbiomes in establishing the gut microbial ecosystem in newborn foals. The findings highlight the importance of breastfeeding and mare-to-foal contact in shaping the foal’s gut microbiota following birth.

Cite This Article

APA
Quercia S, Freccero F, Castagnetti C, Soverini M, Turroni S, Biagi E, Rampelli S, Lanci A, Mariella J, Chinellato E, Brigidi P, Candela M. (2018). Early colonisation and temporal dynamics of the gut microbial ecosystem in Standardbred foals. Equine Vet J, 51(2), 231-237. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12983

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 51
Issue: 2
Pages: 231-237

Researcher Affiliations

Quercia, S
  • Unit of Microbial Ecology of Health, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Freccero, F
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Castagnetti, C
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Soverini, M
  • Unit of Microbial Ecology of Health, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Turroni, S
  • Unit of Microbial Ecology of Health, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Biagi, E
  • Unit of Microbial Ecology of Health, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Rampelli, S
  • Unit of Microbial Ecology of Health, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Lanci, A
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Mariella, J
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Chinellato, E
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Brigidi, P
  • Unit of Microbial Ecology of Health, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Candela, M
  • Unit of Microbial Ecology of Health, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Bacteria / classification
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Homeostasis / physiology
  • Horses / microbiology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male

Citations

This article has been cited 32 times.
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