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Journal of equine veterinary science2020; 88; 102943; doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102943

Factors Influencing Equine Gut Microbiota: Current Knowledge.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal microbiota play a crucial role in nutrient digestion, maintaining animal health and welfare. Various factors may affect microbial balance often leading to disturbances that may result in debilitating conditions such as colic and laminitis. The invention of next-generation sequencing technologies and bioinformatics has provided valuable information on the effects of factors influencing equine gut microbiota. Among those factors are nutrition and management (e.g., diet, supplements, exercise), medical substances (e.g., antimicrobials, anthelmintics, anesthetics), animal-related factors (breed and age), various pathological conditions (colitis, diarrhea, colic, laminitis, equine gastric ulcer syndrome), as well as stress-related factors (transportation and weaning). The aim of this review is to assimilate current knowledge on equine microbiome studies, focusing on the effect of factors influencing equine gastrointestinal microbiota. Decrease in microbial diversity and richness leading to decrease in stability; decrease in Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae family members, which contribute to gut homeostasis; increase in Lactobacillus and Streptococcus; decrease in lactic acid utilizing bacteria; decrease in butyrate-producing bacteria that have anti-inflammatory properties may all be considered as a negative change in equine gut microbiota. Shifts in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes have often been observed in the literature in response to certain treatments or when describing healthy and unhealthy animals; however, these shifts are inconsistent. It is time to move forward and use the knowledge now acquired to start manipulating the microbiota of horses.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2020-01-31 PubMed ID: 32303307DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102943Google 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 article explores the factors affecting the balance of the equine gut microbiota, which plays a crucial role in food digestion and overall health of horses. Arouding factors include nutrition, management, medical substances, stress, and animal-specific factors.

Understanding the Equine Microbiota

  • The microbiota of a horse’s gastrointestinal tract is crucial for nutrient digestion. Its disruption can cause debilitating illnesses like colic and laminitis.
  • The article highlights the importance of new technologies such as next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics in understanding and analysing the equine microbiota.

Factors Affecting Equine Gut Microbiota

  • The paper identifies several factors that influence the balance of equine gut microbiota. These include nutrition and management, such as diet, supplements and exercise; medical substances, such as antimicrobials, anthelmintics, anesthetics; animal-related factors, like breed and age; various pathological conditions including colitis, diarrhea and colic; and stress-related factors, such as transportation and weaning.

Negative Changes in Equine Gut Microbiota

  • A decrease in the microbial diversity and richness can lead to instability in the gut. A decrease in the Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae family members, which are vital to gut homeostasis, can also adversely affect the equine gut.
  • The article notes an increase in Lactobacillus and Streptococcus, which can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota. Meanwhile, a decrease in lactic acid utilizing bacteria and butyrate-producing bacteria, which have anti-inflammatory properties, can result in a negative shift in the microbiota.

Inconsistencies in Microbiota Shifts

  • Shifts in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, which are common bacteria in the gut, often occur in certain treatments or when comparing healthy and unhealthy animals. However, the article mentions that these shifts are inconsistent, highlighting the need for further understanding and research.

Future Directions

  • Given the valuable information we now have on factors influencing equine gut microbiota, the paper suggests that the next step is to start manipulating the microbiota of horses. This implies that future research and intervention strategies on equine gut microbiota might aim at manipulation of microbiota balance for better health outcomes.

Cite This Article

APA
Garber A, Hastie P, Murray JA. (2020). Factors Influencing Equine Gut Microbiota: Current Knowledge. J Equine Vet Sci, 88, 102943. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102943

Publication

Journal of equine veterinary science
ISSN: 0737-0806
NlmUniqueID: 8216840
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 88
Pages: 102943

Researcher Affiliations

Garber, Anna
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. Electronic address: Anna.Garber@glasgow.ac.uk.
Hastie, Peter
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Murray, Jo-Anne
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteroidetes / genetics
  • Firmicutes / genetics
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Horses
  • Microbiota
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

Citations

This article has been cited 75 times.
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