The composition of the perinatal intestinal microbiota in horse.
Abstract: The establishment of the intestinal microbiota is critical for the digestive and immune systems. We studied the early development of the rectal microbiota in horse, a hindgut fermenter, from birth until 7 days of age, by qPCR and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. To evaluate initial sources of the foal microbiota, we characterised dam fecal, vaginal and oral microbiotas. We utilised an amplicon sequence variant (ASV) pipeline to maximise resolution and reproducibility. Stringent ASV filtering based on prevalence and abundance in samples and controls purged contaminants while preserving intestinal taxa. Sampled within 20 minutes after birth, rectal meconium contained small amounts of diverse bacterial DNA, with a profile closer to mare feces than mouth. 24 hours after birth, rectum was colonised by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, some foals dominated by single genera. At day 7, the rectal genera were still different from adult feces. The mare vaginal microbiota contributed to 24 h and 7 day microbiotas. It contained few lactobacilli, with Corynebacterium, Porphyromonas, Campylobacter and Helcococcus as the most abundant genera. In the oral mucosa, Gemella was extremely abundant. Our observations indicate that bacteria or bacterial components are present in the intestine immediately after birth, but the newborn microbiota changes rapidly.
Publication Date: 2020-01-16 PubMed ID: 31949191PubMed Central: PMC6965133DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-57003-8Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
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Summary
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This study explored the early development of gut bacteria in horses, from birth until seven days old. They also examined potential sources of this microbiota in the mother’s feces, vaginal, and oral microbiotas. Their findings suggest that bacteria are present in the intestine right after birth and the composition of the gut microbiota undergoes rapid changes in the first week.
Methodology
- The researchers investigated the early formation of the rectal microbiota in horses from birth to seven days of age.
- They used qPCR (quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing – techniques widely used in microbiota studies for their accuracy in identifying unknown bacteria.
- Several sources contributing to the newborn horse’s microbiota were evaluated, including the mother’s feces, as well as vaginal and oral microbiotas.
- An amplicon sequence variant (ASV) pipeline, which is a method used for data processing in microbiota research, was used to maximize the level of detail and reliability of the results.
Results
- Within 20 minutes after birth, the horse’s first stool sample (meconium) showed a small variety of bacterial DNA, which was more similar to the mother’s feces than her mouth.
- 24 hours after birth, the rectum was colonized by two main types of bacteria, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, with some individuals marked by a dominance of a single genus of bacteria.
- By the seventh day, the composition of the bacteria in the rectal area was significantly different from that found in adult feces.
- The study found that the mother’s vaginal microbiota (the bacterial composition in the vagina) contributed to the microbiota in the newborn, both 24 hours and 7 days after birth.
- Interestingly, few lactobacilli, a commonly dominant genus in the vagina, were found in the mother’s vaginal microbiota. In replacement, genera such as Corynebacterium, Porphyromonas, Campylobacter, and Helcococcus were more abundant.
- In the oral mucosa, a genus named Gemella was particularly abundant.
Conclusions
- The researchers concluded that bacteria, or bacterial components, exist in the horse’s intestine immediately after birth.
- However, the newborn’s microbiota undergoes rapid changes, suggesting dynamic interactions between the horse and its microbial environment.
- This valuable information gives insights into the initial stages of microbiota development in horses, which can contribute to enhancing their health and possibly directing future therapeutic strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Husso A, Jalanka J, Alipour MJ, Huhti P, Kareskoski M, Pessa-Morikawa T, Iivanainen A, Niku M.
(2020).
The composition of the perinatal intestinal microbiota in horse.
Sci Rep, 10(1), 441.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-57003-8 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Saharan ravitalli (Sahara stud), Haapamäki, Finland.
- Production Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. antti.iivanainen@helsinki.fi.
- Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. mikael.niku@helsinki.fi.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Feces / microbiology
- Female
- Gastrointestinal Microbiome
- Gene Dosage
- Horses
- Mouth / microbiology
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
- Vagina / microbiology
Conflict of Interest Statement
P.H. is an owner of Sahara stud.
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