Fecal Microbiome Responses to Sudden Diet Change in Mangalarga Marchador horses.
Abstract: Sudden changes in horses' diet have been previously associated with gastrointestinal disease. This study evaluated the effects of a sudden change of diet composed exclusively of Coastcross hay (CHD) to a complete extruded diet (CED) on the fecal microbiome of horses. A completely randomized design with repeated measurements was used. The study started with eight adult horses randomly split into group A, fed with CHD, and group B, fed with CED. After 34 days of diet adaptation, the diets were abruptly changed between the groups. Fecal samples were collected at 0, 24, and 96 hours after the diet change, and the pH and microbiome analyses of the feces were subsequently evaluated. Changing from CHD to CED reduced the alpha diversity 24 hours after the alteration, with a decrease in the relative abundance of Firmicutes and an increase of Bacteroidetes. Fecal pH decreased and the relative abundance of Verrucomicrobia increased 96 hours after changing the diets. The community structure was also different after 96 hours of diet change. In contrast, 24 hours after changing from CED to CHD reduced fecal pH and abundance of Synergistetes. After 96 hours, there was an increase in the alpha diversity, and the abundance of the phylum Lentisphaerae. Group B showed no changes in the community structure when its diet was changed. Concluding, diet composition influenced the response of the equine fecal microbiome to sudden dietary changes.
Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2021-11-07 PubMed ID: 34864510DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103803Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Veterinary
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study discusses how abrupt alterations in the diet of Mangalarga Marchador horses impact their fecal microbiome, a crucial aspect of their digestion and health. The findings suggested that the composition of the horse’s original diet played a significant role in how their microbiome responded to a sudden diet change.
The Experiment Setup
- The study began with eight mature Mangalarga Marchador horses, divided randomly into two groups – Group A and Group B.
- The investigation was carried out using a completely randomized design with repeated measurements.
- Group A was initially fed Coastcross hay diet (CHD), while Group B was given a complete extruded diet (CED).
- After 34 days of the horses adapting to their respective diets, the dietary regime was swapped abruptly between the two groups.
Sample Collection and Analysis
- Fecal samples were collected at a series of time points: immediately (0 hours), 24 hours, and 96 hours after the diet change. These were then analyzed to study the impact of the dietary change on the fecal microbiome.
- The researchers evaluated both the pH levels and microbial composition of the fecal matter collected.
Findings of the Study
- The results revealed that the transition from the CHD to the CED diet resulted in decreased alpha diversity of the fecal microbiome 24 hours post-alteration.
- This diet change also led to a decrease in the relative abundance of Firmicutes microbes, with a compensatory increase of the Bacteroidetes.
- Fecal pH dropped and the relative population of microorganisms belonging to Verrucomicrobia increased 96 hours after switching to the CED diet.
- The fecal microbial community structure was also found to be different 96 hours after the change from CHD to CED.
- However, the change from the CED to CHD caused reduced fecal pH and reduced presence of Synergistetes microbes just 24 hours after the diet change.
- After 96 hours, the alpha diversity increased, and the relative abundance of microorganisms from the Lentisphaerae phylum increased.
- Interestingly, Group B showed no significant changes in the structure of its microbial community when its diet was switched from CED to CHD.
Conclusion of the Study
- This investigation concluded that the initial composition of the horse’s diet considerably influenced the reaction of the fecal microbiome to sudden changes in the diet.
- This understanding can help in better management of horse health and diet, potentially minimizing risks associated with sudden dietary alterations.
Cite This Article
APA
Franzan BC, Coelho IDS, de Souza MT, Santos MMM, de Almeida FQ, Silva VP.
(2021).
Fecal Microbiome Responses to Sudden Diet Change in Mangalarga Marchador horses.
J Equine Vet Sci, 108, 103803.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103803 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Science Institute, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro/ UFRRJ, BR 465, Km 07, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, 23890-000, Brazil.
- Veterinary Institute, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, 23890-000, Brazil.
- Veterinary Institute, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, 23890-000, Brazil.
- Animal Science Institute, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro/ UFRRJ, BR 465, Km 07, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, 23890-000, Brazil.
- Veterinary Institute, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, 23890-000, Brazil.
- Animal Science Institute, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro/ UFRRJ, BR 465, Km 07, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, 23890-000, Brazil. Electronic address: pimentelzootec@gmail.com.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Diet / veterinary
- Feces
- Firmicutes
- Horses
- Microbiota
- Verrucomicrobia
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Bustamante CC, de Paula VB, Rabelo IP, Fernandes CC, Kishi LT, Canola PA, Lemos EGM, Valadão CAA. Effects of Starch Overload and Cecal Buffering on Fecal Microbiota of Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 6;12(23).
- Franzan BC, da Silva Coelho I, Ramos EM, de Souza ARP, de Almeida FQ, Silva VP. Complete Extruded Diet: How Does Equine Fecal Microbiota Change During Intake Adaptation?. Anim Sci J 2026 Jan-Dec;97(1):e70147.
- Chow L, Kawahisa-Piquini G, Bass L, Hendrickson D, Patel A, Rockow M, Dow S, Pezzanite LM. Correlation of fecal microbiome dysregulation to synovial transcriptome in an equine model of obesity associated osteoarthritis. Ann Transl Med 2024 Dec 24;12(6):112.
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