Effects of astaxanthin on gut microbiota of polo ponies during deconditioning and reconditioning periods.
Abstract: To determine the effects of astaxanthin (ASTX) supplementation on the equine gut microbiota during a deconditioning-reconditioning cycle, 12 polo ponies were assigned to a control (CON; n = 6) or supplemented (ASTX; 75 mg ASTX daily orally; n = 6) group. All horses underwent a 16-week deconditioning period, with no forced exercise, followed by a 16-week reconditioning program where physical activity gradually increased. Fecal samples were obtained at the beginning of the study (Baseline), after deconditioning (PostDecon), after reconditioning (PostRecon), and 16 weeks after the cessation of ASTX supplementation (Washout). Following DNA extraction from fecal samples, v4 of 16S was amplified and sequenced to determine operational taxonomic unit tables and α-diversity and β-diversity indices. The total number of observed species was greater at Baseline than PostDecon, PostRecon, and Washout (p ≤ 0.02). A main effect of ASTX (p = 0.01) and timepoint (p = 0.01) was observed on β-diversity, yet the variability of timepoint was greater (13%) than ASTX (6%), indicating a greater effect of timepoint than ASTX. Deconditioning and reconditioning periods affected the abundance of the Bacteroidetes and Fibrobacteres phyla. Physical activity and ASTX supplementation affect the equine gut microbiome, yet conditioning status may have a greater impact.
© 2024 The Author(s). Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society.
Publication Date: 2024-05-30 PubMed ID: 38811348PubMed Central: PMC11136553DOI: 10.14814/phy2.16051Google 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 study concerns the role of astaxanthin (ASTX) supplementation in affecting the gut microbiota of polo ponies during periods of deconditioning and reconditioning. It was found that physical activity and ASTX do affect the equine gut microbiota, but the conditioning status of the ponies had a larger influence.
Experimental Design
- The study involved 12 polo ponies, split into two groups: a control group (CON; n = 6) and a group that was given a supplement of 75 mg of ASTX daily (ASTX; n = 6).
- Both groups underwent a deconditioning period of 16-weeks during which they had no exercise, and this was followed by a 16-week reconditioning program where their physical activity was gradually increased.
- Fecal samples were collected from the ponies at various points: at the beginning of the study (Baseline), after the deconditioning period (PostDecon), after the reconditioning period (PostRecon), and 16 weeks after ASTX supplementation was stopped (Washout).
Methodology and Results
- To analyze the gut microbiota, DNA was extracted from the fecal samples, followed by amplification and sequencing to determine operational taxonomic unit tables. These allowed researchers to track changes in the diversity of microbial species in the gut over time.
- The team found that the total number of observed species was higher at the beginning of the study compared to PostDecon, PostRecon, and Washout stages, indicating a decline in gut flora diversity over time.
- Changes over timepoint had a greater effect (13%) on the β-diversity (a measure of variation in species diversity across habitats) compared to ASTX supplementation (6%), suggesting that the deconditioning and reconditioning periods significantly affected the gut microbiota diversity.
- The abundance of specific phyla Bacteroidetes and Fibrobacteres was also found to be affected by the deconditioning and reconditioning periods.
Conclusion
- The research suggests that, while ASTX supplementation and physical activity do have an effect on the gut microbiome of polo ponies, the conditioning status (i.e., whether the ponies are in a period of deconditioning or reconditioning) seems to have a more substantial impact.
Cite This Article
APA
Kawaida MY, Maas KR, Moore TE, Reiter AS, Tillquist NM, Reed SA.
(2024).
Effects of astaxanthin on gut microbiota of polo ponies during deconditioning and reconditioning periods.
Physiol Rep, 12(11), e16051.
https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.16051 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
- Microbial Analysis, Resources, and Services, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
- Statistical Consulting Services, Center for Open Research Resources and Equipment, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / microbiology
- Gastrointestinal Microbiome / drug effects
- Xanthophylls / pharmacology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Dietary Supplements
- Male
- Feces / microbiology
- Female
Grant Funding
- University of Connecticut Research Excellence Program
Conflict of Interest Statement
No conflicts of interests, financial or otherwise, are declared by the authors.
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