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Home / Equine Research Bank / FEMS Microbiol Lett / The genetic diversity of lactic acid producing bacteria in t...
FEMS microbiology letters2005; 248(1); 75-81; doi: 10.1016/j.femsle.2005.05.023

The genetic diversity of lactic acid producing bacteria in the equine gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: Seventy-two lactic acid producing bacterial isolates (excluding streptococci) were cultured from the gastrointestinal tract of six horses. Two of the horses were orally dosed with raftilose to induce lactic acidosis and laminitis while the remaining four were maintained on a roughage diet. Near complete 16S rDNA was amplified by PCR from the genomic DNA of each isolate. Following RFLP analysis with the restriction enzymes MboI, HhaI and HinfI, the PCR products from the 18 isolates that produced L- and/or D-lactate were subsequently cloned and sequenced. DNA sequence analysis indicated that the majority of the isolates were closely related to species within the genus Lactobacillus, including Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus mucosae and Lactobacillus delbrueckii. Four isolates were closely related to Mitsuokella jalaludinii. Lactic acid producing bacteria (LAB) from the equine gastrointestinal tract was dominated by representatives from the genus Lactobacillus, but also included D-lactate-producing bacteria closely related to M. jalaludinii. Identification and characterization of LAB from the equine gastrointestinal tract should contribute to our understanding and management of fermentative acidosis, ulceration of the stomach and laminitis.
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Publication Date: 2005-06-15 PubMed ID: 15953698DOI: 10.1016/j.femsle.2005.05.023Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 investigates the genetic diversity of bacteria that produce lactic acid in horses’ digestive systems and its relationship to conditions like acidosis and laminitis.

Objective of the Study

  • This study aimed to understand the genetic diversity of lactic acid producing bacteria (excluding streptococci) in the gastrointestinal tract of horses. The information uncovered by this research is expected to contribute to the understanding and management of fermentative acidosis, stomach ulceration, and laminitis in horses.

Methodology

  • The researchers grew 72 bacterial isolates from the gastrointestinal tract of six horses. Two of these horses were given raftilose orally to trigger lactic acidosis and laminitis, while the other four were kept on a diet containing only roughage.
  • The researchers used PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to amplify near-complete 16S rDNA from the genomic DNA of each isolate.
  • They then analyzed RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) with the aid of restriction enzymes HhaI, MboI, and HinfI. Following this, they cloned and sequenced the PCR products from the 18 isolates that produced L- and/or D-lactate.

Results

  • DNA sequence analysis showed that most of the isolates were closely associated with species within the Lactobacillus genus, including Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus mucosae, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii.
  • The researchers found that four of the isolates were closely related to Mitsuokella jalaludinii.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that the majority of lactic acid producing bacteria in the equine gastrointestinal tract belonged to the Lactobacillus genus.
  • However, the researchers also identified D-lactate producing bacteria closely related to M. jalaludinii. This finding underscores the variety of bacteria in the gut of horses and may be relevant in future studies about their health and nutrition.

Cite This Article

APA
Al Jassim RA, Scott PT, Trebbin AL, Trott D, Pollitt CC. (2005). The genetic diversity of lactic acid producing bacteria in the equine gastrointestinal tract. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 248(1), 75-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.femsle.2005.05.023

Publication

FEMS microbiology letters
ISSN: 0378-1097
NlmUniqueID: 7705721
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 248
Issue: 1
Pages: 75-81

Researcher Affiliations

Al Jassim, Rafat A M
  • School of Animal Studies, Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton QLD 4343, Australia.
Scott, Paul T
    Trebbin, Andrea L
      Trott, Darren
        Pollitt, Christopher C

          MeSH Terms

          • Acidosis
          • Animals
          • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology
          • Genetic Variation
          • Horses
          • Lactobacillus / classification
          • Lactobacillus / genetics
          • Polymerase Chain Reaction
          • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
          • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
          • Sequence Analysis, DNA

          Citations

          This article has been cited 25 times.
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