Abstract
Abstract Horses rely on volatile fatty acids (VFA) to provide a source of energy and fermentative end-products for their health and performance. Improvement in VFA production, has been associated in various species with improved feed conversion and availability of nutrients necessary to maintain epithelial cell growth, blood flow, and the normal secretory and absorptive functions of the intestine and positive changes in the microbial ecology of the gut. In this study, we characterized the effect of a dietary Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation postbiotic (SCFP; Diamond V, Cedar Rapids, IA) using an in vitro equine intestinal model to estimate the effects on VFA production and microbiome changes in the horse hindgut. Treatments contained inoculated medium containing a predigested blend of alfalfa and timothy hay substrate and a dilution of fresh equine excreta. The test article (SCFP) was evaluated at 150 mg (TEC) and 225 mg (TECP), in addition to a negative control containing inoculated medium alone, and the positive control containing inulin. The full array of treatments and replicates were incubated anaerobically at 37.2 C for 24 h. VFA concentrations were analyzed by gas chromatography and the microbiome was characterized through shotgun sequencing. Both levels of SCFP supported greater (P < 0.05) acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total VFA production versus the negative control. Greater production of acetate, propionate, butyrate and total VFA was observed for TECP compared with the positive control (P < 0.05). Between the two SCFP treatments, TECP promoted more acetate, propionate and total VFA (P < 0.01), and 18.3% more butyrate than TEC. Significant microbiome changes were also observed, with TEC and TECP promoting greater microbiome diversity (P < 0.05) compared with both negative and positive controls. Compared with the negative control, both levels of SCFP influenced an increased abundance (P < 0.05) of lactic acid producers (Veillonella), butyrate producers (Butyricicoccus, Anaerobutyricum), and an increased abundance of multiple Bacteroides species, all known for their enrichment of carbohydrate-degrading enzymes. Interestingly, our data show a distinct effect of inulin in microbial communities by promoting an increased abundance of Streptococcus species. This study provides evidence that a SCFP can stimulate VFA production, and this effect is incremental with the level of administration which could potentially provide gut health benefits in horses.
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