Feeding a Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentation Product (Olimond BB) Does Not Alter the Fecal Microbiota of Thoroughbred Racehorses.
Abstract: Feed supplements such as fermentation products (SCFP) alter immune responses in horses. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether a prebiotic activity of the SCFP alters the gut microbiome in horses. Racehorses were fed either SCFP (Olimond BB, OLI, = 6) or placebo pellets (PLA, = 5) for 43 days. Fecal microbiota analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The numbers and function of circulating immune cell subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry. SCFP supplementation resulted in non-consistent differences in fecal microbiota between the PLA and OLI during the feeding period. Rather, the individual animal had the highest impact on fecal microbiota composition. OLI and PLA horses displayed the same changes in numbers of blood leukocyte subpopulations over time. One day after a booster vaccination against equine influenza during the feeding period, the alpha diversity of fecal microbiota of PLA horses was significantly higher compared to OLI horses. This suggests that SCFP feeding altered the vaccination-induced spectrum of released mediators, potentially affecting gut microbiota. The overall non-consistent findings argue against a strong prebiotic effect of Olimond BB on the microbiota in racehorses. Fecal microbiota differences between the groups were also noticed outside the feeding period and, hence, are most likely not caused by the SCFP additive.
Publication Date: 2022-06-08 PubMed ID: 35739833PubMed Central: PMC9219515DOI: 10.3390/ani12121496Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research paper investigates whether feeding a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) known as Olimond BB significantly affects the gut microbiota and immune response in thoroughbred racehorses. The study found insignificant variations in the fecal microbiota of horses fed with SCFP compared to those fed a placebo, suggesting Olimond BB may not have a strong prebiotic effect on the horse’s microbiota.
Research approach and methodology
- The experiment involved racehorses which were randomly divided into two groups. One group (OLI, n=6) was fed with SCFP (Olimond BB), while the other group (PLA, n=5) was given placebo pellets. The duration of the feeding period was 43 days.
- The study investigated the variations in the fecal microbiota in horses using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This sequencing is widely used in studying bacterial taxonomy and ecology and was applied to analyze genotype variations in the fecal samples of the horses.
- Additionally, the function and quantities of different immune cells circulating in the horses’ blood were examined utilizing flow cytometry. This technique measures the physical and chemical characteristics of cells or particles as they flow in a fluid stream through a beam of light.
Findings
- Results showed the supplementation of SCFP resulted in non-consistent differences in the fecal microbiota within the two groups during the feeding period. It was identified that individual horses’ natural variations had the most influence on the composition of their fecal microbiota.
- Over time, both OLI and PLA groups displayed comparable changes in their blood leukocyte subpopulations, which are vital components of the immune system.
- A noteworthy observation was made one day post an equine influenza booster vaccination administered within the feeding period. PLA horses exhibited higher alpha diversity in their fecal microbiota compared to the OLI horses, implying that SCFP feeding potentially altered the released mediators from the vaccination and consequently influenced the gut microbiota.
- However, due to the inconsistent findings, the study concludes that Olimond BB lacks significant prebiotic effects on the gut microbiota of racehorses. Fecal microbiota variations between the two diet groups were also found outside the feeding period, leading the researchers to contend that these changes were not likely caused by the SCFP supplement.
Cite This Article
APA
Lucassen A, Hankel J, Finkler-Schade C, Osbelt L, Strowig T, Visscher C, Schuberth HJ.
(2022).
Feeding a Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentation Product (Olimond BB) Does Not Alter the Fecal Microbiota of Thoroughbred Racehorses.
Animals (Basel), 12(12), 1496.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12121496 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
- Schade & Partner, 27283 Verden, Germany.
- Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
- Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
- Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Ganda E, Chakrabarti A, Sardi MI, Tench M, Kozlowicz BK, Norton SA, Warren LK, Khafipour E. Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product improves robustness of equine gut microbiome upon stress.. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1134092.
- Perricone V, Sandrini S, Irshad N, Comi M, Lecchi C, Savoini G, Agazzi A. The Role of Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Supporting Gut Health in Horses: An Updated Review on Its Effects on Digestibility and Intestinal and Fecal Microbiota.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 9;12(24).
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