Characterisation of the effect of day length, and associated differences in dietary intake, on the gut microbiota of Soay sheep.

Thomas, Nadine A.; Olvera-Ramirez, Andrea M.; Abecia, Leticia; Adam, Clare L.; Edwards, Joan E.; Cox, Georgina F.; Findlay, Patricia A.; Destables, Elodie; Wood, Tracy A.; McEwan, Neil R.

Abstract

Differences in the rumen bacterial community have been previously reported for Soay sheep housed under different day length conditions. This study extends this previous investigation to other organs of the digestive tract, as well as the analysis of ciliated protozoa and anaerobic fungi. The detectable concentrations of ciliated protozoa and anaerobic fungi decreased with increased day length in both the rumen and large colon, unlike those of bacteria where no effect was observed. Conversely, bacterial community composition was affected by day length in both the rumen and large colon, but the community composition of the detectable ciliated protozoa and anaerobic fungi was not affected. Day length associated differences in the bacterial community composition extended to all of the organs examined, with the exception of the duodenum and the jejunum. It is proposed that differences in rumen fill and ruminal ‘by-pass’ nutrients together with endocrinological changes cause the observed effects of day length on the different gut microbial communities.

Citation

THOMAS, N.A., OLVERA-RAMIREZ, A.M., ABECIA, L., ADAM, C.L., EDWARDS, J.E., COX, G.F., FINDLAY, P.A., DESTABLES, E., WOOD, T.A. and MCEWAN, N.R. 2019. Characterisation of the effect of day length, and associated differences in dietary intake, on the gut microbiota of Soay sheep. Archives of microbiology [online], 201(7), pages 889-896. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-019-01652-w

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 13, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Apr 9, 2019
• Publication Date: Sep 30, 2019
• Deposit Date: Apr 8, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 12, 2019
• Journal: Archives of microbiology
• Print ISSN: 0302-8933
• Electronic ISSN: 1432-072X
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 201
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 889-896
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-019-01652-w
• Keywords: Soay sheep; Digestive tract; Bacteria; Anaerobic fungi; Ciliated protozoa; Day length
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/235745
• Contract Date: Apr 12, 2019