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Home / Equine Research Bank / Genes (Basel) / Exploring the Influence of Growth-Associated Host Genetics o...
Genes2023; 14(7); doi: 10.3390/genes14071354

Exploring the Influence of Growth-Associated Host Genetics on the Initial Gut Microbiota in Horses.

Abstract: The influences of diet and environmental factors on gut microbial profiles have been widely acknowledged; however, the specific roles of host genetics remain uncertain. To unravel host genetic effects, we raised 47 Jeju crossbred (Jeju × Thoroughbred) foals that exhibited higher genetic diversity. Foals were raised under identical environmental conditions and diets. Microbial composition revealed that Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Spirochaetes were the predominant phyla. We identified 31 host-microbiome associations by utilizing 47,668 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 734 taxa with quantitative trait locus (QTL) information related to horse growth. The taxa involved in 31 host-microbiome associations were functionally linked to carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolic processes, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and lactic acid production. Abundances of these taxa were affected by specific SNP genotypes. Most growth-associated SNPs are found between genes. The rs69057439 and rs69127732 SNPs are located within the introns of the VWA8 and MFSD6 genes, respectively. These genes are known to affect energy balance and metabolism. These discoveries emphasize the significant effect of host SNPs on the development of the intestinal microbiome during the initial phases of life and provide insights into the influence of gut microbial composition on horse growth.
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Publication Date: 2023-06-27 PubMed ID: 37510259PubMed Central: PMC10379381DOI: 10.3390/genes14071354Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

This research investigates the role of host genetics in shaping the initial gut microbiota in horses. Specifically, it explores the association between growth-related genetic markers and the make-up of intestinal bacteria under controlled diet and environmental conditions.

Methodology and Setting

  • The study was carried out on 47 Jeju crossbred (Jeju × Thoroughbred) foals, selected for their high genetic diversity.
  • All foals were raised in identical environmental conditions and on the same diet to mitigate outside effects.
  • Through microbial analysis, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Spirochaetes were identified as the dominant bacterial phyla in their gut.

Genetic Associations and Functional Relationships

  • A total of 31 host-microbiome associations were indentified involving 47,668 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and 734 taxonomic units.
  • The bacterium species involved in these genetic associations were functionally related to key processes such as carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and lactic acid production.
  • It was also found that the abundance of these bacteria were affected by specific SNP genotypes.

Growth-Associated SNP Genotypes

  • The majority of growth-associated SNPs were located between genes. However, two SNPs (rs69057439 and rs69127732) were located within the introns of the VWA8 and MFSD6 genes, respectively.
  • These genes – VWA8 and MFSD6 – are known to have an impact on energy balance and metabolism. This implies a potential genetic influence on gut microbiota related to these specific biological processes.

Implications

  • The research underscores the significant contribution of host genetics (SNPs) to the development of gut microbiota in the early life stages of horses.
  • Furthermore, it provides insights into how the composition of gut microbiota might influence the growth of horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Lee J, Kang YJ, Kim YK, Choi JY, Shin SM, Shin MC. (2023). Exploring the Influence of Growth-Associated Host Genetics on the Initial Gut Microbiota in Horses. Genes (Basel), 14(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14071354

Publication

Genes
ISSN: 2073-4425
NlmUniqueID: 101551097
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 7

Researcher Affiliations

Lee, Jongan
  • Subtropical Livestock Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Jeju 63242, Republic of Korea.
Kang, Yong-Jun
  • Subtropical Livestock Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Jeju 63242, Republic of Korea.
Kim, Yoo-Kyung
  • Subtropical Livestock Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Jeju 63242, Republic of Korea.
Choi, Jae-Young
  • Subtropical Livestock Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Jeju 63242, Republic of Korea.
Shin, Sang-Min
  • Subtropical Livestock Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Jeju 63242, Republic of Korea.
Shin, Moon-Cheol
  • Planning and Coordination Division, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / genetics
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / genetics
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Microbiota
  • Bacteroidetes
  • Genotype

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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