FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience2017; 11(7); 1136-1145; doi: 10.1017/S1751731116002779

Faecal parameters as biomarkers of the equine hindgut microbial ecosystem under dietary change.

Abstract: Faeces could be used for evaluating the balance of the equine hindgut microbial ecosystem, which would offer a practical method for assessing gut health and how this relates to disease. However, previous studies concluded that faeces microbial ecosystem was not representative of the proximal hindgut (caecum and ventral colon). This study aimed to evaluate if variations of the faecal microbial ecosystem were similar to those observed in the proximal hindgut. Six horses, fistulated in the caecum and right ventral (RV) colon, were subjected to a gradual change of diet, from a 100% hay (high fibre) diet (2.2 DM kg/day per 100 kg BW) to a 57% hay+43% barley (high starch) diet (0.8 DM kg/day per 100 kg BW hay and 0.6 DM kg/day per 100 kg BW barley). The two diets were iso-energetic and fed over a 3-week trial period. Samples of digesta from the caecum, RV colon and faeces were collected two times on the 10th and 20th day of the trial, for each diet to assess the microbial ecosystem parameters by both classical culture technics and biochemical methods. The variations observed in the caecal and colonic bacterial composition (increase in total anaerobic, amylolytic and lactate-utilizing and decrease in cellulolytic bacteria concentrations) and microbial activity (changes in volatile fatty acids concentrations and increase in lactate concentrations) demonstrated that the hay+barley diet caused changes in the hindgut microbial ecosystem. Similar variations were observed in the faecal microbial ecosystem. Feeding the hay+barley diet resulted in higher concentrations of faecal lipopolysaccharides. The functional bacterial group concentrations (cellulolytics, amylolytics and lactate utilizers) were significantly correlated between caecum and faeces and between colon and faeces. From analyses of the metabolites produced from microbial activity, only valerate concentration in the caecum and the proportion of propionate were significantly correlated with the same parameters in the faeces. Results of the principal component analysis performed between all the caecal/faecal and colonic/faecal parameters revealed that the total anaerobic and cellulolytic bacteria concentrations, as well as valerate, l-lactate and lipopolysaccharide concentrations were strongly correlated with several microbial parameters in the caecum (P|0.45|) and in the colon (P|0.50|). This demonstrated that faecal samples and their bacterial analyses could be used to represent caecum and RV colon hindgut microbial ecosystem in terms of variations during a change from a high-fibre to a high-starch diet, and thus could be markers of particular interest to diagnostic proximal hindgut microbial disturbances.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2017-01-09 PubMed ID: 28065211DOI: 10.1017/S1751731116002779Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 studied if measuring changes in the bacteria and other microorganisms in horse faeces can give an accurate representation of similar changes in their digestive system, specifically the caecum and right ventral colon. The study was conducted on horses whose diets were changed from high fibre to high starch, and suggests that faecal samples can indeed serve as indicators of the horse’s gut health under dietary changes.

Research design and methodology

  • The research involved six horses, each equipped with a fistula (a tube-like device for access) in the caecum and right ventral colon. The horses were subjected to a dietary modification from 100% hay, which is high in fibre, to a combination of 57% hay and 43% barley, richer in starch.
  • Both diets provided the same amount of energy and the transition took place over a period of 3 weeks. Digesta (partially digested food) samples from the caecum, right ventral colon, and faeces were collected twice, on the 10th and 20th days of the trial, for each horse.
  • Microbial ecosystem parameters in collected samples were then assessed using classical culture techniques and biochemical methods.

Key findings

  • A shift from a high fibre to high starch diet resulted in changes in bacterial composition and microbial activity in the horse’s hindgut. Identical changes were observed in the faecal microbial ecosystem, suggesting faecal samples as suitable indicators of dietary changes on the gut microbiome.
  • Introduction of the high-starch diet led to higher concentrations of lipopolysaccharides, molecules deriving from bacterial outer membranes, in the faeces. This could potentially serve as a warning signal for certain health issues.
  • Significant correlations were observed between the concentrations of certain functional bacterial groups (cellulolytics, amylolytics, and lactate utilizers) in the caecum and faeces, and between the colon and faeces. This further supports the notion that faecal samples can represent changes in the microbial ecosystem of the proximal hindgut.
  • Principal component analysis, a statistical technique used to understand patterns in data, revealed strong correlations between certain parameters in the caecal/faecal and colonic/faecal samples. Among these were total anaerobic and cellulolytic bacteria concentrations, as well as valerate, L-lactate and lipopolysaccharide concentrations. This provides additional evidence supportive of the research hypothesis.

Implication of the findings

  • The results point towards an easier, non-invasive way of assessing changes in the equine gut microbiome as a result of dietary changes. Instead of needing direct access to the caecum and right ventral colon, one can analyse faecal samples for an accurate representation.
  • The findings could contribute to ongoing efforts to bolster understanding of equine gut health and its relationship to disease. It could offer veterinarians and horse caretakers critical insights that help inform more precise dietary strategies and interventions for managing gut health.

Cite This Article

APA
Grimm P, Philippeau C, Julliand V. (2017). Faecal parameters as biomarkers of the equine hindgut microbial ecosystem under dietary change. Animal, 11(7), 1136-1145. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731116002779

Publication

Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience
ISSN: 1751-732X
NlmUniqueID: 101303270
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 7
Pages: 1136-1145

Researcher Affiliations

Grimm, P
  • 1UMR PAM A 02.102 Université Bourgogne-Franche-Comté/AgroSup Dijon,26 Boulevard Docteur Petitjean,F-21079 Dijon,France.
Philippeau, C
  • 2AgroSup Dijon,26 Boulevard Docteur Petitjean,F-21079 Dijon,France.
Julliand, V
  • 1UMR PAM A 02.102 Université Bourgogne-Franche-Comté/AgroSup Dijon,26 Boulevard Docteur Petitjean,F-21079 Dijon,France.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Feed / analysis
  • Animals
  • Bacteria / growth & development
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Cecum / microbiology
  • Colon / microbiology
  • Diet / veterinary
  • Dietary Fiber / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids, Volatile / metabolism
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Hordeum
  • Horses / microbiology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • Microbiota
  • Poaceae
  • Starch / metabolism

Citations

This article has been cited 33 times.
  1. Cheong KL, Zhang Y, Li Z, Li T, Ou Y, Shen J, Zhong S, Tan K. Role of Polysaccharides from Marine Seaweed as Feed Additives for Methane Mitigation in Ruminants: A Critical Review. Polymers (Basel) 2023 Jul 25;15(15).
    doi: 10.3390/polym15153153pubmed: 37571046google scholar: lookup
  2. Zhang Z, Huang B, Gao X, Shi X, Wang X, Wang T, Wang Y, Liu G, Wang C. Dynamic changes in fecal microbiota in donkey foals during weaning: From pre-weaning to post-weaning. Front Microbiol 2023;14:1105330.
    doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1105330pubmed: 36778861google scholar: lookup
  3. MacNicol JL, Renwick S, Ganobis CM, Allen-Vercoe E, Weese JS, Pearson W. The influence of a probiotic/prebiotic supplement on microbial and metabolic parameters of equine cecal fluid or fecal slurry in vitro. J Anim Sci 2023 Jan 3;101.
    doi: 10.1093/jas/skad034pubmed: 36715114google scholar: lookup
  4. Żak-Bochenek A, Bajzert J, Sambor D, Siwińska N, Szponar B, Łaczmański Ł, Żebrowska P, Czajkowska A, Karczewski M, Chełmońska-Soyta A. Homeostasis of the Intestinal Mucosa in Healthy Horses-Correlation between the Fecal Microbiome, Secretory Immunoglobulin A and Fecal Egg Count. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 10;12(22).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12223094pubmed: 36428322google scholar: lookup
  5. Yang H, Heirbaut S, Jing X, De Neve N, Vandaele L, Jeyanathan J, Fievez V. Susceptibility of dairy cows to subacute ruminal acidosis is reflected in both prepartum and postpartum bacteria as well as odd- and branched-chain fatty acids in feces. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2022 Oct 5;13(1):87.
    doi: 10.1186/s40104-022-00738-8pubmed: 36195941google scholar: lookup
  6. Weinert-Nelson JR, Biddle AS, Williams CA. Fecal microbiome of horses transitioning between warm-season and cool-season grass pasture within integrated rotational grazing systems. Anim Microbiome 2022 Jun 21;4(1):41.
    doi: 10.1186/s42523-022-00192-xpubmed: 35729677google scholar: lookup
  7. Raspa F, Vervuert I, Capucchio MT, Colombino E, Bergero D, Forte C, Greppi M, Cavallarin L, Giribaldi M, Antoniazzi S, Cavallini D, Valvassori E, Valle E. A high-starch vs. high-fibre diet: effects on the gut environment of the different intestinal compartments of the horse digestive tract. BMC Vet Res 2022 May 19;18(1):187.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-022-03289-2pubmed: 35590319google scholar: lookup
  8. Ang L, Vinderola G, Endo A, Kantanen J, Jingfeng C, Binetti A, Burns P, Qingmiao S, Suying D, Zujiang Y, Rios-Covian D, Mantziari A, Beasley S, Gomez-Gallego C, Gueimonde M, Salminen S. Gut Microbiome Characteristics in feral and domesticated horses from different geographic locations. Commun Biol 2022 Feb 25;5(1):172.
    doi: 10.1038/s42003-022-03116-2pubmed: 35217713google scholar: lookup
  9. Lindroth KM, Dicksved J, Vervuert I, Müller CE. Chemical composition and physical characteristics of faeces in horses with and without free faecal liquid - two case-control studies. BMC Vet Res 2022 Jan 3;18(1):2.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-03096-1pubmed: 34980103google scholar: lookup
  10. Redding LE, Berry AS, Indugu N, Huang E, Beiting DP, Pitta D. Gut microbiota features associated with Clostridioides difficile colonization in dairy calves. PLoS One 2021;16(12):e0251999.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251999pubmed: 34910727google scholar: lookup
  11. Collinet A, Grimm P, Julliand S, Julliand V. Sequential Modulation of the Equine Fecal Microbiota and Fibrolytic Capacity Following Two Consecutive Abrupt Dietary Changes and Bacterial Supplementation. Animals (Basel) 2021 Apr 29;11(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11051278pubmed: 33946811google scholar: lookup
  12. Collinet A, Grimm P, Julliand S, Julliand V. Multidimensional Approach for Investigating the Effects of an Antibiotic-Probiotic Combination on the Equine Hindgut Ecosystem and Microbial Fibrolysis. Front Microbiol 2021;12:646294.
    doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.646294pubmed: 33841371google scholar: lookup
  13. Mach N, Lansade L, Bars-Cortina D, Dhorne-Pollet S, Foury A, Moisan MP, Ruet A. Gut microbiota resilience in horse athletes following holidays out to pasture. Sci Rep 2021 Mar 3;11(1):5007.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-84497-ypubmed: 33658551google scholar: lookup
  14. Edwards JE, Schennink A, Burden F, Long S, van Doorn DA, Pellikaan WF, Dijkstra J, Saccenti E, Smidt H. Domesticated equine species and their derived hybrids differ in their fecal microbiota. Anim Microbiome 2020 Mar 16;2(1):8.
    doi: 10.1186/s42523-020-00027-7pubmed: 33499942google scholar: lookup
  15. Garber A, Hastie P, McGuinness D, Malarange P, Murray JA. Abrupt dietary changes between grass and hay alter faecal microbiota of ponies. PLoS One 2020;15(8):e0237869.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237869pubmed: 32810164google scholar: lookup
  16. Morrison PK, Newbold CJ, Jones E, Worgan HJ, Grove-White DH, Dugdale AH, Barfoot C, Harris PA, Argo CM. Effect of age and the individual on the gastrointestinal bacteriome of ponies fed a high-starch diet. PLoS One 2020;15(5):e0232689.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232689pubmed: 32384105google scholar: lookup
  17. Langner K, Blaue D, Schedlbauer C, Starzonek J, Julliand V, Vervuert I. Changes in the faecal microbiota of horses and ponies during a two-year body weight gain programme. PLoS One 2020;15(3):e0230015.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230015pubmed: 32191712google scholar: lookup
  18. Zhou X, Cao J, Feng G, Li Y, Liu D, Liu G. Commensal Microbiota and Reproductive Health in Livestock: Mechanisms, Cross-System Crosstalk, and Precision Strategies. Animals (Basel) 2026 Jan 23;16(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani16030371pubmed: 41681352google scholar: lookup
  19. Meng F, Zhao Y, Guo Y, Guo X, Zhang Q, Wang Z, Li L, Hui F, Tong M, Yan S. Rectal Microbiome Reveals the Improved Effect of Dietary Selenium Levels on Lactation Performance and Milk Fatty Acid Profiles in Lactating Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 17;15(22).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15223309pubmed: 41302016google scholar: lookup
  20. Li F, Kong X, Khan MZ, Wei L, Wei J, Zhu M, Liu G, Huang B, Wang C, Zhang Z. Gut microbiome regulation in equine animals: current understanding and future perspectives. Front Microbiol 2025;16:1602258.
    doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1602258pubmed: 41070119google scholar: lookup
  21. Irving J, Pineau V, Shultz S, Ter Woort F, Julien F, Lambey S, van Erck-Westergren E. Impact of Low-Starch Dietary Modifications on Faecal Microbiota Composition and Gastric Disease Scores in Performance Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 28;15(13).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15131908pubmed: 40646806google scholar: lookup
  22. Laroche N, Grimm P, Julliand S, Sorci G. Combining in vivo and in vitro approaches to investigate the effect of sainfoin on strongyle infection, immunity, and large intestine ecosystem of horses. J Anim Sci 2025 Jan 4;103.
    doi: 10.1093/jas/skaf100pubmed: 40159759google scholar: lookup
  23. Żak-Bochenek A, Drábková Z, Sergedaite V, Siwińska N, Bajzert J, Pasak D, Chełmońska-Soyta A. Fecal Secretory Immunoglobulin A and Lactate Level as a Biomarker of Mucosal Immune Dysfunction in Horses With Colic. J Vet Intern Med 2025 May-Jun;39(3):e70073.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.70073pubmed: 40145309google scholar: lookup
  24. Żak-Bochenek A, Żebrowska-Różańska P, Bajzert J, Łaczmański Ł, Szponar B, Siwińska N, Gładysz K, Sikorska K, Chełmońska-Soyta A. Investigating the potential immunomodulatory effects of commercial oral probiotic supplements on equine gastrointestinal tract barrier function. Front Immunol 2024;15:1487664.
    doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1487664pubmed: 39906737google scholar: lookup
  25. Wang W, Gibson J, Horsman S, Mikkelsen D, Bertin FR. Characterization and comparison of fecal microbiota in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and age-matched controls. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Jan-Feb;39(1):e17288.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.17288pubmed: 39853825google scholar: lookup
  26. Carter MM, Leatherwood JL, Paris BL, Moore GE, George JM, Martinez RE, Karges K, Cox JR, Arnold CE, Glass KG, Bradbery AN, Rodiles A, Wickersham TA. Influence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 on the fecal pH, markers of gut permeability, fecal microbiota, and markers of systemic inflammation in sedentary horses fed a high-starch diet. J Anim Sci 2025 Jan 4;103.
    doi: 10.1093/jas/skaf005pubmed: 39803897google scholar: lookup
  27. Vasseur M, Lepers R, Langevin N, Julliand S, Grimm P. Fibrolytic efficiency of the large intestine microbiota may benefit running speed in French trotters: A pilot study. Physiol Rep 2024 Nov;12(21):e70110.
    doi: 10.14814/phy2.70110pubmed: 39533164google scholar: lookup
  28. Bishop RC, Kemper AM, Clark LV, Wilkins PA, McCoy AM. Stability of Gastric Fluid and Fecal Microbial Populations in Healthy Horses under Pasture and Stable Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2024 Oct 16;14(20).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14202979pubmed: 39457909google scholar: lookup
  29. Lashkari S, Beblein C, Christensen JW, Jensen SK. The effect of the fat to starch ratio in young horses' diet on plasma metabolites, muscle endurance and fear responses. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2025 Jan;109(1):113-123.
    doi: 10.1111/jpn.14037pubmed: 39163118google scholar: lookup
  30. Baraille M, Buttet M, Grimm P, Milojevic V, Julliand S, Julliand V. Changes of faecal bacterial communities and microbial fibrolytic activity in horses aged from 6 to 30 years old. PLoS One 2024;19(6):e0303029.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303029pubmed: 38829841google scholar: lookup
  31. Laroche N, Grimm P, Julliand S, Sorci G. Diet modulates strongyle infection and microbiota in the large intestine of horses. PLoS One 2024;19(4):e0301920.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301920pubmed: 38593129google scholar: lookup
  32. Guo Y, Yin G, Hui F, Guo X, Shi B, Zhao Y, Yan S. Effects of dietary energy level on antioxidant capability, immune function and rectal microbiota in late gestation donkeys. Front Microbiol 2024;15:1308171.
    doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1308171pubmed: 38414765google scholar: lookup
  33. Xie L, Xing J, Qi X, Lu T, Jin Y, Akhtar MF, Li L, Liu G. Effects of Concentrate Feeding Sequence on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, VFA Production, and Fecal Microbiota of Weaned Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2023 Sep 12;13(18).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13182893pubmed: 37760293google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,780 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.