Unveiling the Biogeography and Potential Functions of the Intestinal Digesta- and Mucosa-Associated Microbiome of Donkeys.
Abstract: The intestinal microbial composition and metabolic functions under normal physiological conditions in the donkey are crucial for health and production performance. However, compared with other animal species, limited information is currently available regarding the intestinal microbiota of donkeys. In the present study, we characterized the biogeography and potential functions of the intestinal digesta- and mucosa-associated microbiota of different segments of the intestine (jejunum, ileum, cecum, and colon) in the donkey, focusing on the differences in the microbial communities between the small and large intestine. Our results show that, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes dominate in both the digesta- and mucosa-associated microbiota in different intestinal locations of the donkey. Starch-degrading and acid-producing (butyrate and lactate) microbiota, such as and , were more enriched in the small intestine, while the fiber- and mucin-degrading bacteria, such as , were more enriched in the large intestine. Furthermore, metabolic functions in membrane transport and lipid metabolism were more enriched in the small intestine, while functions for energy metabolism, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, amino acid metabolism were more enriched in the large intestine. In addition, the microbial composition and functions in the digesta-associated microbiota among intestinal locations differed greatly, while the mucosal differences were smaller, suggesting a more stable and consistent role in the different intestinal locations. This study provides us with new information on the microbial differences between the small and large intestines of the donkey and the synergistic effects of the intestinal microbiota with host functions, which may improve our understanding the evolution of the equine digestive system and contribute to the healthy and efficient breeding of donkeys.
Copyright © 2020 Zhang, Zhang, Dang, Irwin, Wang and Zhang.
Publication Date: 2020-12-04 PubMed ID: 33424800PubMed Central: PMC7793809DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.596882Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research studies the different types of microorganisms found in different parts of a donkey’s intestine and their functions, finding that different bacteria dominate in different areas and perform different roles. This study sheds light on the key role of microbiota in the health and efficient breeding of donkeys.
Understanding the Donkey’s Intestinal Biogeography and Microbial Function
- This research provides valuable insights into the normal physiology of a donkey’s intestinal microbiome. This is particularly important because little comparative information is available regarding the intestinal bacteria composition in donkeys.
- The study evaluated the microbial communities and their potential functions in different segments of the donkey’s intestine, including the jejunum, ileum, cecum, and colon.
- It focused on understanding the differences between the microbial communities in the small intestine versus the large intestine.
Main Findings
- The major findings indicate that two primary types of bacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, are dominant in both the digesta- (the contents within the intestines) and mucosa-associated (lining of the intestines) microbiota in different intestinal locations in the donkey.
- Starch-degrading and acid-producing microbiota such as those that produce butyrate and lactate were more abundant in the small intestine.
- In contrast, the large intestine had a greater prevalence of fiber- and mucin-degrading bacteria. This suggests that different bacteria perform different duties based on their location within the intestinal tract.
- The researchers also discovered that metabolic functions vary across different sections of the intestine. For instance, functions related to membrane transport and lipid metabolism were more active in the small intestine, while the large intestine was more enriched with functions associated with energy metabolism, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, amino acid metabolism.
Implications and Future Research
- The research demonstrated that the microbial composition and functions in the digesta-associated microbiota were highly variable across different intestinal locations, whereas the differences in the mucosa were smaller. This suggests a more stable and consistent function throughout the intestine.
- These findings are significant because they provide new insights into the symbiotic relationship between the host (donkey) and its intestinal microbiota. This information could improve our understanding of the evolution of the equine digestive system and the role of microbiota in influencing the health and reproductive success of donkeys.
- Further research could provide more insights into how the gut microbiome can be manipulated to improve animal health, efficiency, and productivity.
Cite This Article
APA
Zhang R, Zhang J, Dang W, Irwin DM, Wang Z, Zhang S.
(2020).
Unveiling the Biogeography and Potential Functions of the Intestinal Digesta- and Mucosa-Associated Microbiome of Donkeys.
Front Microbiol, 11, 596882.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.596882 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Equine Sciences, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.
- Institute of Equine Sciences, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.
- Institute of Equine Sciences, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Institute of Equine Sciences, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.
- Institute of Equine Sciences, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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