Levels of Main Bacterial Phyla in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Sheep Depending on Parity and Age.

Jakub Smoliński,Katarzyna Czyż,Marzena Janczak,Paulina Cholewińska,Natalia Szeligowska

doi:10.3390/ani11082203

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe ruminant microbiome is considered a specific ecosystem found within the gastrointestinal tract. A balanced intestinal microbiota is important not only for maintaining gut homeostasis, but also for regulating immune function and has a direct impact on the gut–brain axis. Factors, such as pregnancy, age, or genetics, can influence the microbial composition of the digestive system. The results of the study suggest that the parity, as well as the age of the animals, may affect the level of microorganisms in the digestive system.During pregnancy and parturition, the homeostasis of the body is disturbed, and the immune system is undermined, which is associated with hormonal changes within the body. Recently, it has also been suggested that physiological and hormonal changes associated with pregnancy may affect the composition of the gastrointestinal microbiome. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the composition of the microbiome in the third month of pregnancy in sheep in their first and second parity. Eighteen females in total were selected for the experiment, and they were divided into two groups: primiparous (aged 1 year) and multiparous ones (aged 2 years). The animals were fed the same fodder, and did not show any disease symptoms. Fecal samples were collected individually from each female (n = 20), and then bacterial DNA isolation and real-time PCR were performed for the main bacterial phyla (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria) and families (Lactobacillaceae and Clostridia). The obtained results showed the differentiation in the microbiome between the primiparous and multiparous ewes with respect to the following groups: Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria—the level was higher in the case of the primiparas. These results suggest that the parity and age of the females may affect the gastrointestinal microbiome, but further studies are recommended.

Highlights

The ruminant microbiome is considered a specific ecosystem found within the gastrointestinal tract
Tenericutes and Actinobacteria are found in small numbers, which is caused by the plant diet of ruminants [4,5,6]
Studies conducted in recent recent years suggest that the composition of the microbiome may be influenced by years suggest that the composition of the microbiome may be influenced by hormones, hormones, sex hormones [21,22]

Summary

Introduction

The ruminant microbiome is considered a specific ecosystem found within the gastrointestinal tract. The close relationship between the microbiome–digestive system–host influences the development and health status of the animal. In addition to the rumen, the large intestine is considered to be one of the most developed parts of the gastrointestinal tract in terms of microbiology, where the level of bacteria increases in the caudal direction [1,2,3]. Bacteria are the most numerous [4,5], followed by archaeons, fungi, and protozoa. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Fibrobacter phyla are most abundant. The most abundant bacterial phyla are primarily associated with fodder rich in crude fiber and polysaccharides [3,7]

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