114. Social influences on the gut microbiome of developing monkeys

Abstract

Bacterial colonization of the gut starts at birth. Initially, gut bacteria profiles are influenced by the route of delivery as well as by diet. Differences in gut bacteria composition are evident between vaginal and C-section delivery and between breast-fed and formula-fed infants. In addition, the infants’ microbiome is distinct from that of adults. As infants mature, the microbiome is also influenced by environmental factors, including social contact and exposure to pathogens. The husbandry practices at our facility permitted us to investigate the relationship between the maternal and infant microbiome, and the bacterial convergence that occurred after weanlings were transferred into small peer groups. Metagenomic approaches were used to examine the developmental trajectory in gut bacteria profiles of young rhesus monkeys housed in controlled conditions. Rectal swabs were collected and sequenced with an Illumina MiSeq in order to track changes in the infant’s microbiota during the first 2 weeks with the mother, and subsequently with 454 pyrosequencing to characterize gut bacteria after weaning when bacterial profiles reorganize due to the change in diet and exposure to a more diverse social environment. Gut bacterial profiles of mothers and neonates are distinct, but converge by 2 weeks postpartum. After weaning into peer groups, new group-specific profiles emerge. Our findings confirm that gut bacteria profiles are dynamic and malleable in response to social factors, especially contact with conspecifics.