Effects of dietary short-chain fructooligosaccharides on the intestinal microflora of horses subjected to a sudden change in diet.

The research investigates the impact of dietary short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) on the intestinal bacteria in horses, particularly during sudden dietary changes. Findings suggest that scFOS can help reduce disturbances in the horse’s intestinal bacteria associated with abrupt diet adjustments.

Objective and Hypothesis

• The aim of the research was to evaluate the impact of scFOS, a type of prebiotic, on the intestinal bacteria of horses when their diets are suddenly changed.
• The researchers hypothesized that prebiotic oligosaccharides, which are known to stabilize the intestinal bacteria in other species, could play a crucial role in horses as well.

Research Methodology

• The research used four adult geldings, divided into two groups by weight.
• One group was assigned to a control diet without any scFOS supplementation and the other group was given a diet with scFOS supplementation. The horses were subjected to these diets for 21 days.
• The abrupt incorporation of barley in the horse’s diet acted as a sudden dietary change.
• The researchers compared the intestinal bacteria from the cecal and colonic contents of the horses, as collected through cannulas, under these altered dietary conditions to assess variations in microbial populations and fermentation variables.

Findings

• The addition of barley to the control diet without scFOS supplementation resulted in a significant surge in certain kinds of bacteria, including total anaerobes, lactobacilli, streptococci, and lactate-utilizing bacteria.
• However, the group with scFOS supplementation showed fewer changes related to barley consumption. Notably, Lactobacillus and Streptococcus populations did not increase.
• Additionally, while the concentration of colonic d-lactate (indicating fermentation in the colon) increased after barley consumption in the control group, it did not accumulate in the group with scFOS supplementation.
• The findings imply that scFOS supplementation could be effective in controlling the disruptions in the intestinal bacteria population in horses under stressful conditions like acute starch overloads due to sudden dietary changes.