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Animals
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Relationships between Animal Hosts and Microbiota, Animal Health and Response...
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Relationships between Animal Hosts and Microbiota, Animal Health and Response to Diseases

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Physiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2024) | Viewed by 10612

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Bruno Stefanon

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agrofood, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
Interests: system biology; functional genomics; nutrigenomics; metagenomic; biomarkers discovery

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since the launch of the human metagenome project in 2007, the role of microbiome in shaping host response has gained popularity, and today, it is recognized that also in livestock, companion, and wild animals, the factors affecting the relationship between host and microbes are a fundamental pillar to unravel the complexity of organism response to internal and external stimuli. Microbiome is influenced by genetic factors, sex, age, and nutrition of the host and by climate conditions and influences of the neuronal, endocrine, behavioral, immune, and digestive response of animals, which in turn modify the ability to cope with stressors and to perform in the environment.

Although recently, the animal microbiome issue has received an impressive number of research, it is my opinion that a systematic collection of existing and new data is needed to disentangle the complexity of mutual influences between microbial communities and animal health.

Prof. Dr. Bruno Stefanon
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • livestock
  • companion animals
  • wild animals
  • microbiota
  • metabolites
  • physiology
  • non-communicable diseases
  • infectious diseases
  • environment

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 5181 KiB  
Article
Effects of Freshwater Acidification on the Gut Microbial Community of Trachemys scripta elegans
by Xin Niu, Zhaohui Dang, Meiling Hong, Haitao Shi and Li Ding
Animals 2024, 14(13), 1898; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14131898 - 27 Jun 2024
Viewed by 841
Abstract
Freshwater acidification (FA) has become a global environmental problem, posing a potential threat to freshwater ecosystems. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the host’s response and adaptation to new environments. In this study, we investigated the changes in microbial communities in [...] Read more.
Freshwater acidification (FA) has become a global environmental problem, posing a potential threat to freshwater ecosystems. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the host’s response and adaptation to new environments. In this study, we investigated the changes in microbial communities in Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) under acidic conditions to reveal the ecological impacts of acidification on freshwater turtles. The results showed that there were significant differences in β-diversity (p = 0.03), while there were no significant differences in the α-diversity of gut microbiota in T. s. elegans between the different levels of acidification (pH of 5.5, 6.5, 7.5). Both the Gut Microbiome Health Index (GMHI) and the Microbial Dysbiosis Index (MDI) exhibited significant differences when comparing environments with a pH of 5.5 to those with a pH of 6.5 (p < 0.01). A comparative analysis between pH levels of 5.5 and 6.5 also revealed substantial differences (p < 0.01). Likewise, a comparative analysis between pH levels of 6.5 and 7.5 also revealed substantial differences (p < 0.01). At the phylum level, Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, and Bacteroidota formed a major part of the gut microbial community, Fusobacteria showed significant differences in different acidity environments (p = 0.03). At the genus level, Cetobacterium, Turicibacter, unclassified Eubacteriaceae, and Anaerorhabdus_furcosa_group showed significant differences in different acidity environments. The pH reduced interactivity in the gut microbiota of T. s. elegans. In addition, LEfSe analysis and functional prediction revealed that the potentially_pathogenic and stress_tolerant functional characteristics also showed significant differences in different acidity environments. The findings underscore the pivotal role of the gut microbiota in T. s. elegans in response to freshwater acidification and provide a foundation for further exploration into the impacts of acidification on freshwater ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Relationships between Animal Hosts and Microbiota, Animal Health and Response to Diseases)
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16 pages, 10525 KiB  
Article
Effects of Hibernation on Colonic Epithelial Tissue and Gut Microbiota in Wild Chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus)
by Juntao Liu, Guangyu Jiang, Hongrui Zhang, Haiying Zhang, Xiaoyan Jia, Zhenwei Gan and Huimei Yu
Animals 2024, 14(10), 1498; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14101498 - 17 May 2024
Viewed by 1102
Abstract
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the host’s metabolic processes. Many studies have shown significant changes in the gut microbiota of mammals during hibernation to adapt to the changes in the external environment, but there is limited research on the colonic [...] Read more.
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the host’s metabolic processes. Many studies have shown significant changes in the gut microbiota of mammals during hibernation to adapt to the changes in the external environment, but there is limited research on the colonic epithelial tissue and gut microbiota of the wild chipmunks during hibernation. This study analyzed the diversity, composition, and function of the gut microbiota of the wild chipmunk during hibernation using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing technology, and further conducted histological analysis of the colon. Histological analysis of the colon showed an increase in goblet cells in the hibernation group, which was an adaptive change to long-term fasting during hibernation. The dominant gut microbial phyla were Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria, and the relative abundance of them changed significantly. The analysis of gut microbiota structural differences indicated that the relative abundance of Helicobacter typhlonius and Mucispirillum schaedleri increased significantly, while unclassified Prevotella-9, unclassified Prevotellaceae-UCG-001, unclassified Prevotellaceae-UCG-003 and other species of Prevotella decreased significantly at the species level. Alpha diversity analysis showed that hibernation increased the diversity and richness of the gut microbiota. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant differences in gut microbiota diversity between the hibernation group and the control group. PICRUSt2 functional prediction analysis of the gut microbiota showed that 15 pathways, such as lipid metabolism, xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, amino acid metabolism, environmental adaptation, and neurodegenerative diseases, were significantly enriched in the hibernation group, while 12 pathways, including carbohydrate metabolism, replication and repair, translation, and transcription, were significantly enriched in the control group. It can be seen that during hibernation, the gut microbiota of the wild chipmunk changes towards taxa that are beneficial for reducing carbohydrate consumption, increasing fat consumption, and adapting more strongly to environmental changes in order to better provide energy for the body and ensure normal life activities during hibernation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Relationships between Animal Hosts and Microbiota, Animal Health and Response to Diseases)
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17 pages, 5281 KiB  
Article
Gut Microbiota Analysis in Silkworms (Bombyx mori) Provides Insights into Identifying Key Bacterials for Inclusion in Artificial Diet Formulations
by Lei Xin, Yazhen Chen, Wantao Rong, Yingcan Qin, Xiaodong Li and Delong Guan
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1261; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091261 - 23 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1267
Abstract
The gut microbiome significantly influences the health and productivity of silkworms (Bombyx mori), the cornerstone of sericulture. With the increasing use of cost-effective artificial diets in sericulture, it is crucial to understand how these diets impact the silkworm gut microbiomes. Here [...] Read more.
The gut microbiome significantly influences the health and productivity of silkworms (Bombyx mori), the cornerstone of sericulture. With the increasing use of cost-effective artificial diets in sericulture, it is crucial to understand how these diets impact the silkworm gut microbiomes. Here we employed 16S rRNA sequencing to delineate the impact of three distinct dietary regimens on the silkworm gut microbiomes: exclusive mulberry leaf diet (SY), exclusive artificial feed diet (SL), and a sequential transition from artificial feed to mulberry leaves (ZS). Our results unveiled stark differences in microbial diversity across the groups, with the ZS group displaying an intermediary complexity. LefSe and random forest analyses identified Methylobacteriaceae, Microbacterium, and Rhodococcus as significantly enriched in the ZS group, suggesting their potential to facilitate silkworms’ adaptation to dietary transitions. Functional profiling revealed differential pathway regulation, indicating a metabolic reconfiguration in response to dietary modulations. Notably, the enrichment of Lactobacillus and Weissella in both the SL and ZS groups highlights their potential as probiotics in artificial diets. Our findings provide insights into the diet adaptation mechanisms of silkworm gut microbiota, paving the way for harnessing the intestinal bacteria to enhance silkworm health and silk production through targeted microbial interventions in sericulture practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Relationships between Animal Hosts and Microbiota, Animal Health and Response to Diseases)
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Review

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17 pages, 1290 KiB  
Review
The Microbiota and Equine Asthma: An Integrative View of the Gut–Lung Axis
by Laurence Leduc, Marcio Costa and Mathilde Leclère
Animals 2024, 14(2), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020253 - 13 Jan 2024
Viewed by 2670
Abstract
Both microbe–microbe and host–microbe interactions can have effects beyond the local environment and influence immunological responses in remote organs such as the lungs. The crosstalk between the gut and the lungs, which is supported by complex connections and intricate pathways, is defined as [...] Read more.
Both microbe–microbe and host–microbe interactions can have effects beyond the local environment and influence immunological responses in remote organs such as the lungs. The crosstalk between the gut and the lungs, which is supported by complex connections and intricate pathways, is defined as the gut–lung axis. This review aimed to report on the potential role of the gut–lung gut–lung axis in the development and persistence of equine asthma. We summarized significant determinants in the development of asthma in horses and humans. The article discusses the gut–lung axis and proposes an integrative view of the relationship between gut microbiota and asthma. It also explores therapies for modulating the gut microbiota in horses with asthma. Improving our understanding of the horse gut–lung axis could lead to the development of techniques such as fecal microbiota transplants, probiotics, or prebiotics to manipulate the gut microbiota specifically for improving the management of asthma in horses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Relationships between Animal Hosts and Microbiota, Animal Health and Response to Diseases)
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17 pages, 1508 KiB  
Review
Factors Affecting Gut Microbiota of Puppies from Birth to Weaning
by Fatemeh Balouei, Bruno Stefanon, Sandy Sgorlon and Misa Sandri
Animals 2023, 13(4), 578; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040578 - 6 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3779
Abstract
The review described the most important factors affecting the development of the intestinal microbiota in puppies from birth to weaning. The health and well-being of the microbiome in puppies is influenced by the type of parturition, the maternal microbiota, and the diet of [...] Read more.
The review described the most important factors affecting the development of the intestinal microbiota in puppies from birth to weaning. The health and well-being of the microbiome in puppies is influenced by the type of parturition, the maternal microbiota, and the diet of the mother, directly or indirectly. The isolation of bacteria in dogs from the placenta, fetal fluids, and fetuses suggests that colonization could occur before birth, although this is still a matter of debate. Accordingly, newborn puppies could harbor bacteria that could be of maternal origin and that could influence microbial colonization later in life. However, the long-term impacts on health and the clinical significance of this transfer is not yet clear and needs to be investigated. The same maternal bacteria were found in puppies that were born vaginally and in those delivered via cesarean section. Potentially, the relationship between the type of parturition and the colonization of the microbiome will influence the occurrence of diseases, since it can modulate the gut microbiome during early life. In addition, puppies’ gut microbiota becomes progressively more similar to adult dogs at weaning, as a consequence of the transition from milk to solid food that works together with behavioral factors. A number of researches have investigated the effects of diet on the gut microbiota of dogs, revealing that dietary interference may affect the microbial composition and activity through the production of short-chain fatty acids and vitamins. These compounds play a fundamental role during the development of the fetus and the initial growth of the puppy. The composition of the diet fed during pregnancy to the bitches is also an important factor to consider for the health of newborns. As far as it is known, the effects of the type of parturition, the maternal microbiota, and the diet on the microbial colonization and the long-term health of the dogs deserve further studies. Definitely, longitudinal studies with a larger number of dogs will be required to assess a causal link between microbiome composition in puppies and diseases in adult dogs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Relationships between Animal Hosts and Microbiota, Animal Health and Response to Diseases)
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