Postprandial kinetics of some biotic and abiotic characteristics of the gastric ecosystem of horses fed a pelleted concentrate meal.
Abstract: Our knowledge of the microflora of the stomach of the horse is still limited, although some data indicate its important role in nutrition. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the microbial and biochemical profiles in the stomach of the horse and to quantify the disappearance of dietary starch. Total anaerobic bacteria, lactate-utilizing bacteria, lactobacilli, and streptococci were determined, and biochemical characteristics (pH, and DM, D- and L-lactate, D-glucose, NH3, and VFA concentrations) were measured in chyme collected from 4 horses by naso-gastric intubation aided by endoscopy, at 30 min before and 60, 120, and 210 min after the meal. The total anaerobic population exhibited a linear increase (5.54 to 6.98 log10 cfu/mL; P = 0.018) within the first postprandial hour and reached 8.32 log10 cfu/mL at 210 min after the meal. The concentrations of lactobacilli, streptococci, and lactate-utilizing bacteria in the stomach contents were 5.52, 4.82, and 6.95 log10 cfu/mL, respectively. Lactate concentration increased linearly from 0.25 mmol/L before the meal to 7.98 mmol/L at the last collection point (P = 0.013). This increase was mostly due to L-lactate accumulation. The VFA concentration increased linearly (P = 0.002) during the postprandial period from 1.96 to 8.17 mmol/L. Acetate represented, on average, 78 mol/100 mol of total VFA. The average concentration of NH3 in the stomach content was 2.48 mmol/L. Dietary starch disappearance did not respond during the post-prandial period and was not consistent with previous findings. These in vivo data provide complementary information on the postprandial microbial and biochemical kinetics in the stomachs of horses and confirm its abundant microbial colonization.
Publication Date: 2007-05-25 PubMed ID: 17526660DOI: 10.2527/jas.2006-182Google 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.
- 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 explores the microbial and biochemical changes in the stomach of horses after they eat a concentrated pellet meal. The findings provide new insights on the microbial population and metabolic processes in a horse’s stomach in the hours following a meal, which is vital for better understanding equine nutrition.
Objective
- The study aims to examine and quantify changes in the microbial population of a horse’s stomach and the rate of dietary starch disappearance after a meal. This allows an assessment of the microbes’ role in equine nutrition.
Methodology
- Chyme, or partially digested food, was collected from four horses at different time intervals before and after feeding them a pellet concentrate meal.
- The samples were then analyzed to determine the presence and concentration of various bacteria, including lactobacilli, streptococci, and lactate-utilizing bacteria.
- Additionally, various biochemical characteristics, such as pH levels, glucose, ammonia, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations, were measured.
- The collection of chyme and its analysis were done through nasogastric intubation, aided by endoscopy.
Findings
- The study observed an increase in the total anaerobic bacterial population in the horse’s stomach within the first hour after the meal.
- The concentrations of lactobacilli, streptococci, and lactate-utilizing bacteria were found to have specific values in the stomach contents after the meal.
- Post meal, there was a linear increase in lactate concentration, primarily due to L-lactate accumulation. Similarly, VFA concentration also increased after the meal with Acetate representing, about 78% of total VFA.
- Contrary to previous research, dietary starch disappearance did not respond during the postprandial period, which implies the starch wasn’t digested as expected.
Conclusion
- The research study provides in-depth information about the intense microbial colonization that happens in a horse’s stomach post feeding, highlighting the significant role microorganisms play in the digestion process.
- These findings contribute to the limited knowledge on the gastric microflora of horses and their influence on equine nutrition.
Cite This Article
APA
Varloud M, Fonty G, Roussel A, Guyonvarch A, Julliand V.
(2007).
Postprandial kinetics of some biotic and abiotic characteristics of the gastric ecosystem of horses fed a pelleted concentrate meal.
J Anim Sci, 85(10), 2508-2516.
https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2006-182 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- EVIALIS, 56250 Saint-Nolff, France. mvarloud@evialis.evls.net
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Animals
- Bacteria, Anaerobic / growth & development
- Bacteria, Anaerobic / metabolism
- Colony Count, Microbial / veterinary
- Digestion
- Fatty Acids, Volatile / analysis
- Fatty Acids, Volatile / metabolism
- Fermentation
- Gastric Mucosa / metabolism
- Horses / metabolism
- Horses / microbiology
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Intestinal Absorption
- Intubation, Gastrointestinal / veterinary
- Lactic Acid / analysis
- Lactic Acid / metabolism
- Lactobacillus / growth & development
- Lactobacillus / metabolism
- Male
- Postprandial Period
- Starch / pharmacokinetics
- Stomach / chemistry
- Stomach / microbiology
- Streptococcus / growth & development
- Streptococcus / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Julliand S, Buttet M, Hermange T, Hillon P, Julliand V. Effect of diet composition on glandular gastric disease in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Jul-Aug;37(4):1528-1536.
- Li XB, Huang XX, Li Q, Li XY, Li JH, Li C, He LJ, Jing HX, Yang KL. Effects of different grains on bacterial diversity and enzyme activity associated with digestion of starch in the foal stomach.. BMC Vet Res 2022 Nov 17;18(1):407.
- Thorringer NW, Weisberg MR, Jensen RB. The effects of processing barley and maize on metabolic and digestive responses in horses.. J Anim Sci 2020 Dec 1;98(12).
- Motta V, Trevisi P, Bertolini F, Ribani A, Schiavo G, Fontanesi L, Bosi P. Exploring gastric bacterial community in young pigs.. PLoS One 2017;12(3):e0173029.
- Ericsson AC, Johnson PJ, Lopes MA, Perry SC, Lanter HR. A Microbiological Map of the Healthy Equine Gastrointestinal Tract.. PLoS One 2016;11(11):e0166523.
- Perkins GA, den Bakker HC, Burton AJ, Erb HN, McDonough SP, McDonough PL, Parker J, Rosenthal RL, Wiedmann M, Dowd SE, Simpson KW. Equine stomachs harbor an abundant and diverse mucosal microbiota.. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012 Apr;78(8):2522-32.
- Husted L, Jensen TK, Olsen SN, Mølbak L. Examination of equine glandular stomach lesions for bacteria, including Helicobacter spp by fluorescence in situ hybridisation.. BMC Microbiol 2010 Mar 19;10:84.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
