Search Results (96)

Semen quality is a key determinant of reproductive performance in breeding boars, and emerging evidence suggests the seminal microbiome may influence sperm function. However, the composition of the seminal plasma microbiome and its relationship to sperm quality remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to investigate the microbial composition of boar seminal plasma and its association with sperm quality. Semen ejaculates collected from Duroc boars were analyzed and classified as Passed (≥70% normal morphology) or Failed (<70% normal morphology). Seminal plasma was isolated by centrifugation and analyzed using 16S/ITS rRNA gene sequencing. The dominant bacterial phyla were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. The most abundant genera included Porphyromonas, Bacteroides, and Cladosporium. Only the Shannon diversity index was significantly higher in Failed samples for the bacterial microbiome (p = 0.038). Furthermore, correlation analysis showed a negative association between Tenericutes and sperm concentration (r = −0.90; p = 0.014). Linear discriminant analysis identified microbial biomarkers associated with sperm quality, including Rhodococcus, Sphingomonas, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Empedobacter. The increased abundance of these genera in Failed samples suggests disruption of the normal seminal microbial community. In conclusion, boar seminal plasma harbors a distinct bacterial and fungal microbiome that is associated with sperm morphology. Full article

Salvia sclarea L. extract contains various bioactive components such as flavonoids and fatty acids, exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Salvia sclarea L. extract on the gut microbiota and serum metabolome in lambs. Sixty 2-month-old Chinese Merino female lambs (body weight 20 ± 2 kg) were randomly assigned to five groups. The control (CK) group received the basal diet only, while the treatment groups received the basal diet supplemented with 0.04 mL/kg (CL1), 0.08 mL/kg (CL2), 0.12 mL/kg (CL3), and 0.16 mL/kg (CL4) of Salvia sclarea L. extract, respectively. The results showed that Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Spirochaetes, and Proteobacteria were identified as the dominant phyla across all groups (>90%). Compared with the CK group, CL1 and CL2 groups significantly reduced the relative abundance of Tenericutes (decreased by 38.2% and 32.9%, respectively, p < 0.05); the relative abundance of Patescibacteria in the CL1 group was significantly lower (decreased by 55.2%, p < 0.05). At the genus level, Ruminococcaceae constituted a substantial proportion, including Ruminococcaceae UCG-005, UCG-010, UCG-014, and NK4A214 group. STAMP analysis revealed that Klebsiella was significantly enriched in CL2, CL3, and CL4 groups compared to the CK group (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis between microbiota and immune indices showed that Christensenellaceae R-7 group was significantly negatively correlated with TNF-α (p < 0.05); Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 was significantly negatively correlated with IFN-γ (p < 0.05) and showed a negative correlation trend with immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM). Conversely, Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 was significantly positively correlated with IL-4 (p < 0.05) but showed a negative correlation trend with IgM. Untargeted metabolomics analysis identified 8, 18, 25, and 20 differential metabolites in CL1, CL2, CL3, and CL4 groups, respectively. Notably, 3-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone and Gamma-Glu-Cys were significantly upregulated across all treatment groups. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that these differential metabolites were primarily involved in nucleotide metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and oxidative stress-related pathways. Further Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant associations between gut microbiota and differential metabolites. Specifically, g_Klebsiella was significantly positively correlated with 3-Hydroxycapric acid and 3-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Salvia sclarea L. extract modulates host energy metabolism by regulating nucleotide metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis, and enhances immune function by alleviating oxidative stress, through the remodeling of gut microbiota and serum metabolome. Full article

We evaluated the effect of our light-emitting diode (LED) light treatments (blue, peak at 468 nm; green, peak at 537 nm; red, peak at 630 nm; and white light) on the growth performance and serum lysozyme activity of the common carp Cyprinus carpio and bacterial communities in a closed recirculating system under an average power intensity of 1.29 ± 0.18 mW/cm² of LED light on the water surface of a circulating rearing system for 70 days. The specific growth rate, weight gain and K-factor were improved when carp were cultured under green or blue light. The specific lysozyme activity in the plasma of the common carp was significantly promoted under blue light compared to the green, white and red light conditions after 70 days. Compared to the other types of LED lights, the blue light treatment resulted in the lowest number of heterotrophic bacteria in the rearing water and the highest heterotrophic bacteria in the carp’s gut contents (both p < 0.05). The phyla Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Tenericutes, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were abundant in the carp’s gut contents after culturing with any of the four types of LED light. In short, the blue LED light can be considered a potential tool in sustainable aquaculture. Full article

Triclocarban (TCC), a synthetic antimicrobial compound prevalent in personal care products, has emerged as a typical contaminant in aquatic ecosystems. Intestinal microbiota maintains the host’s health homeostasis by regulating nutrient metabolism and immunity and is regarded as a sensitive biomarker for the risk assessment of pollutants. Currently, there is still a lack of toxicity assessment of TCC on the intestinal microbiota homeostasis of shrimp. Therefore, this study employed 16S rDNA sequencing to explore intestinal microbiota perturbations in Penaeus monodon following subchronic exposure (14 days) to graded TCC concentrations (1 and 10 μg/L). The results showed that TCC exposure altered intestinal microbiota diversity, marked by increases in the ACE, Chao1, and Shannon indices and a decrease in the Simpson index; however, none of these changes reached statistical significance (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the community composition was also altered, characterized by a significant increase in Bacteroidetes and a significant decrease in Tenericutes (p < 0.05), alongside non-significant increases in Proteobacteria and decreases in Firmicutes (p > 0.05). The abundances of some putative beneficial bacterial genera (Alloprevotella, Bacteroidales S24-7 group_norank, Cetobacterium, Enterococcus and Lactobacillus) and harmful bacteria (Photobacterium and Aeromonas) were decreased (p > 0.05); the abundance of Vibrio was decreased in the T1 group but increased in the T10 group (p > 0.05). Additionally, the predicted functions of the intestinal microbiota, such as glycan biosynthesis and degradation, steroid and isoflavone biosynthesis, and nucleotide metabolism, were enhanced. These results indicated that TCC exposure had a negative effect on the homeostasis of the intestinal microbiota of P. monodon. Full article

Scorpions are characterized by their venomous adaptations, including specialized stingers, and their ecological diversity. Some families, such as Buthidae, have medically significant species and their venoms possess a diverse array of chemicals. In Mexico, Centruroides suffusus and Centruroides vittatus coexist, with C. suffusus considered medically important due to its highly toxic venom. This study describes the metabolomic and microbiomic profiles of C. suffusus and C. vittatus. The metabolomic profiling (12 amino acids and 28 acylcarnitines) reveals significant differences between the two species, hinting at metabolic and ecological variations. Ornithine (ORN) and arginine (ARG) were the most abundant in C. vittatus, while tyrosine (TYR) was the most abundant amino acid molecule in C. suffusus. The microbiome analysis (by Next-Generation Sequencing of the 16S ribosomal gene) indicates similarities in gut bacteria composition between the two species (Phyla: Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Tenericutes). Full article

Antioxidant capacity and intestinal microbiota play a crucial role in the nutrition, immunity, and overall health status of fish. It is significant to understand the impact of environmental changes on the health of Siniperca scherzeri, an important breeding species. Therefore, in order to investigate the effects of photoperiod (8L: 16D, 12L: 12D and 16L: 8D) and water temperature (18 and 28 °C) on the antioxidant capacity and intestinal microorganisms of S. scherzeri, liver and intestinal samples from cultured juvenile S. scherzeri were collected for related analyses. The photoperiod group of 12L: 12D and the water temperature group of 18 °C presented a higher abundance of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and lower abundances of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and Catalase (CAT) than other groups (p < 0.05). No significant difference in intestinal microbial diversity was found among different groups (p > 0.05), except that the ACE index showed significant differences among different temperature groups (p < 0.05). Significant differences in the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Tenericutes were found among different groups (p < 0.05). Modifying the duration of light exposure could effectively mitigate oxidative reactions and optimal high temperatures could suppress oxidation in juvenile S. scherzeri. However, these conditions also influenced the feeding behavior of juvenile S. scherzeri and the composition of intestinal microbiota and promoted the proliferation of opportunistic bacteria. The study provides the valuable data of the aquatic habitat of S. scherzeri. Full article

The influence of iron deficiency anemia and iron treatments on the gut microbiome was evaluated in young rhesus monkeys. First, the hindgut bacterial profiles of 12 iron-deficient anemic infants were compared to those of 9 iron-sufficient infants at 6 months of age, a time when the risk of anemia is high due to rapid growth. After this screening, the anemic monkeys were treated with either parenteral or enteral iron. Seven monkeys were injected intramuscularly with iron dextran, the typical weekly treatment used in veterinary practice. Four other anemic infants were treated with a novel oral supplement daily: yeast genetically modified to express ferritin. Fecal specimens were analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplicon sequencing. Bacterial species richness in anemic infants was not different from that of iron-sufficient infants, but beta diversity and LEfSe analyses of bacterial composition indicated that the microbiota profiles were associated with iron status. Both systemic and oral iron increased alpha and beta diversity metrics. The relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae and other Firmicutes shifted in the direction of an iron-sufficient host, but many different bacteria, including Mollicutes, Tenericutes, and Archaea, were also enriched. Collectively, the findings affirm the important influence of the host’s iron status on commensal bacteria in the gut and concur with clinical concerns about the possibility of adverse consequences after iron supplementation in low-resource settings where children may be carriers of iron-responsive bacterial pathogens. Full article

The crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS, Acanthaster spp.), is responsible for a considerable amount of coral loss in the tropical Indo-Pacific region. After decimating coral populations through predation, it is expected that CoTS will face food scarcity before coral recovery. It is unclear how CoTS respond to starvation stress. Therefore, we conducted a four-month starvation stress experiment on CoTS, and analyzed the response characteristics of its stomach bacterial communities using high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing. The results showed no significant differences in the α-diversity of the stomach bacterial community, but the β-diversity differed significantly between fed and starved CoTS. The bacterial community composition in the CoTS stomach changed dramatically, manifesting mainly from Tenericutes to Proteobacteria at the phylum level, and from a community dominated by digestive bacteria (Mycoplasma) to beneficial bacteria (Endozoicomonas) at the genus level. Furthermore, co-occurrence network analysis revealed that starvation reduced the network stability of the bacteria community, but improved network modularity, which may have contributed to the CoTS adaptation to chronic starvation. This study provides a basis for elucidating the mechanism of starvation resistance in the crown-of-thorns starfish. Full article

Type I toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems consist of a protein toxin that exerts a cytostatic or cytotoxic effect and an antisense RNA antitoxin that prevents translation of the toxin. Although well studied, type I TA systems have so far only been discovered in bacteria from the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Tenericutes. We hypothesized that type I systems could also be present in Cyanobacteria. Through bioinformatic analysis of the Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806SL genome, we discovered ten putative type I TA loci and characterized six of them experimentally. Two of the six putative type I toxins, BH695_0320 and MsoT1 (BH695_4017), were observed to negatively affect Escherichia coli cell growth, with MsoT1 exerting a phenotype similar to SrnB, a known type I toxin. We focused on the MsoT1/MsoA1 TA system and confirmed the expression of MsoT1 and MsoA1 in our assay. Additionally, we found that MsoA1 delays the toxic effects of MsoT1, indicating its role as a cognate antitoxin of MsoT1. Our results suggest that MsoT1/MsoA1 represents a novel candidate type I TA system, the first to be discovered in the Cyanobacteria phylum. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the bacterial domain of the gut microbiome in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), with a focus on sex differences, glycemic control, and lipid disorders. Methods: This study included 60 older adults with T2D (38 women and 22 men) treated with metformin or a combination of metformin and insulin. The gut microbiota was profiled using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Statistical analyses, including correlation analysis and multiple regression, were performed to identify the associations between microbial taxa, sex, and metabolic parameters. Results: No statistically significant differences in alpha or beta diversity were observed between the sexes. Multiple regression analysis indicated a positive relationship between Tenericutes and HbA1c in male participants (β = 2.22931, CI [0.75, 3.70], R = 0.67; R² = 0.36; unadjusted p = 0.0052; adjusted p = 0.0496). In female participants, G0′ (β = −2.24107, CI [−3.19, −1.30], R = 0.78; R² = 0.58; unadjusted p = 0.00003; adjusted p = 0.0005) and HbA1c (β = −1.86670, CI [−2.61, −1.12], R = 0.78; R² = 0.58; unadjusted p = 0.00001; adjusted p = 0.0003) correlated negatively with Verrucomicrobia as well G0′ (β = −1.90427, CI [−2.95, −0.85], R = 0.46; R² = 0.17; unadjusted p = 0.0008; adjusted p = 0.007) and HbA1c (β = −1.69561, CI [−2.52, −0.87], R = 0.46; R² = 0.17; unadjusted p = 0.0002; adjusted p = 0.002) correlated negatively with OD1 bacteria, known as Parcubacteria. Conclusions: In this elderly population with type 2 diabetes, biological sex did not significantly affect the gut microbiota diversity. However, several exploratory associations between microbial taxa and metabolic parameters differed between men and women, suggesting that sex may influence specific aspects of microbiota—metabolism interactions. These preliminary findings underscore the importance of considering both age- and sex-related factors when investigating the gut microbiome in the context of type 2 diabetes. Full article

This study investigated the effects of Fructus Aurantii extract (FAE) on growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, serum parameters, fecal microbial composition, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in finishing pigs. In total, 75 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire pigs (equally divided by sex), with an initial body weight of 79.49 ± 4.27 kg, were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. The pigs were fed either a basic diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg of FAE (FAE500) and 1000 mg/kg of FAE (FAE1000). The FAE1000 group exhibited a significantly higher final body weight (FBW) (p < 0.05), and the average daily feed intake (ADFI) showed an increasing tendency in the FAE500 and FAE1000 groups (p = 0.056) compared to the CON group. Additionally, the inclusion of FAE resulted in the significantly higher apparent digestibility of crude ash (Ash), gross energy (GE), and crude protein (CP) (p < 0.05), with a tendency to the increased digestibility of dry matter (DM) (p = 0.053). Dietary FAE supplementation led to elevated serum levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and decreased levels of serum L-lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), along with a tendency to increase serum glucose (GLU) levels (p = 0.084). The FAE500 group demonstrated higher serum concentrations of motilin (MTL) and gastrin (GAS) (p < 0.05), and a tendency for reduced serum glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) level (p = 0.055) compared to the CON group. Furthermore, alpha diversity analysis revealed that the FAE500 group significantly increased the Chao 1 and Observed_species indexes (p < 0.05). Similarly, beta diversity analysis indicated that FAE feeding altered the fecal microbial structure (p = 0.083). Notably, compared with the control group, CF231, Pediococcus, and Mogibacterium displayed higher relative abundance in the feces of the FAE500 group, whereas Tenericutes showed a reduction in relative abundance (p < 0.05). Additionally, the relative abundance of Tenericute was negatively correlated with the digestibility of DM, GE, Ash, and CP (p < 0.05). Serum MTL and GAS levels correlated positively with the Coprococcus, Dorea, Pediococcus, and Mogibacterium relative abundances (p < 0.05). Collectively, dietary FAE supplementation could enhance growth performance by boosting beneficial bacteria in feces, stimulating gastrointestinal hormone secretion, and improving nutrient digestibility. Full article

Introduction: The immune system’s defense against pathogens involves innate and adaptive responses, crucial in maintaining overall health. Immunosuppressed states render individuals more susceptible to potential diseases, indicating the need for effective strategies to bolster immune functions. Objectives: Although the immunostimulatory effects of various probiotics have been studied, the specific effects and molecular mechanisms of Lactococcus lactis OTG1204 (OTG1204) remain unknown. In this study, the aim was to investigate the molecular mechanisms of OTG1204 in RAW 264.7 macrophages, the key effector cells of the innate immune system involved in host defense and inflammatory responses. Additionally, in this study, the effects of OTG1204 on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression states were investigated, thereby demonstrating its potential as an immune stimulant. Methods: To assess the macrophage activation ability and underlying mechanisms of OTG1204, RAW 264.7 cells were utilized with transfection, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and quantitative real-time PCR analyses. Furthermore, to evaluate the immunostimulatory effects under immunosuppressed conditions, CTX-induced immunosuppression mice model was employed, and analyses were performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining, flow cytometry, and microbiota examination. Results: OTG1204 activated RAW 264.7 macrophages, leading to increased production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, and cytokines. This immune activation was mediated through the upregulation of toll-like receptor 2, which subsequently activated the nuclear factor-κB (NF-kB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/activator protein 1 (AP-1) pathways, thereby stimulating the immune response. In CTX-treated mice, OTG1204 recovered body weight, spleen, and mesenteric lymph node indices, and natural killer cell activity. It re-established populations of innate and adaptive immune cells and activated T cells to secrete cytokines. We also examined the gut barrier integrity and microbiota composition to assess OTG1204’s impact on intestinal health, as these factors play a significant role in immune enhancement. OTG1204 enhanced gut barrier integrity by upregulating mucin 2 and tight junction proteins and modulated the gut microbiota by restoring the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes balance and reducing the abundance of Actinobacteria and Tenericutes. Conclusion: These results suggest that OTG1204 may serve as an effective probiotic for immune enhancement and gut health management by targeting the NF-κB and MAPK/AP-1 pathways, with minimal side effects. Full article

The growth environment significantly influences the intestinal microbiota of aquatic organisms. We investigated the composition and functional differences in the intestinal microbiota of red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) in rice fields (RB) and ponds (PB) by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing technology. The results indicate that the Shannon, Simpson, Sobs, Chao1, and ACE indices of PB are all higher than those of RB, demonstrating greater diversity and richness of intestinal microbiota. The dominant phyla in the intestinal microbiota of the Cherax quadricarinatus were Proteobacteria, Tenericutes, and Firmicutes. Tenericutes and Proteobacteria were significantly more abundant in the RB than in the PB, while Planctomycetes and Firmicutes were significantly more abundant in the PB than in the RB. The results of network correlation analysis indicate that Proteobacteria and Firmicutes exhibit strong connectivity with other microbial groups in the gut microbiota of Cherax quadricarinatus, showing significant centrality. They play an important role in the interactions within the gut microbiota community. The dominant bacterial genera in the Cherax quadricarinatus’s gut were Citrobacter, Candidatus_Bacilloplasma, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1. The abundance of the genus Clostridium was significantly higher in the PB than in the RB, whereas the abundance of Candidatus_Hepatoplasma and Vibrio was significantly lower in the PB than in the RB. The prediction function of KEGG enrichment showed that the abundance of Amino acid metabolism, Biosynthesis of Other Secondary Metabolites, Transport and Catabolism, Cancers, and Nervous System, Substance Dependence were significantly higher in the PB, while the infectious diseases pathway was enriched in the RB. In summary, our results revealed significant differences in the composition and diversity of intestinal microbiota in the Cherax quadricarinatus between rice paddy and pond farming environments. The intestinal microbiota of the Cherax quadricarinatus grown in pond environments exhibit higher diversity and stability, manifested by an increase in beneficial bacteria abundance and a decrease in opportunistic pathogens. These findings significantly improve understanding of the complex relationship among Cherax quadricarinatus, intestinal microbiota, and the environment. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of ursolic acid (UA) on the growth performance and intestinal health of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Four diets were formulated with UA supplementation at 0, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg, defined as the control (CON), UA250, UA500, and UA1000, respectively. After an 8-week feeding experiment, the results showed that, in the UA500 group, the final body weight (FBW), weight gain rate (WGR), and specific growth rate (SGR) increased, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and hepatosomatic index decreased. Total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity exhibited a significant increase, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased. An intestinal histological analysis revealed an improvement in the intestinal structural integrity of the UA500 group. The mRNA relative expression levels of physical barrier-related genes [occludin, claudin-1, and zonula occluden-1 (zo-1)] were upregulated. The mRNA relative expression of interlenkin 10 (il-10) increased, and the mRNA relative expression of interlenkin 1β (il-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (tnf-α) significantly decreased. The abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria decreased, and the abundance of Tenericutes increased. The abundance of Mycoplasma, Cyanobium, and Staphylococcus decreased, while the abundance of Clostridium increased. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of UA significantly enhanced the growth performance and antioxidant capacity of largemouth bass while improving intestinal barrier function through its influence on the abundance of intestinal flora, such as Tenericutes, Firmicutes, and Mycoplasma. Optimal dietary UA levels for largemouth bass were determined to be between 498 and 520 mg/kg based on quadratic regression analyses of WGR, SGR, and FCR or T-SOD and MDA content. Full article

Studies in recent years indicate that reproductive tract microbial communities are crucial for shaping mammals’ health and reproductive outcomes. Following parturition, uterine bacterial contamination often occurs due to the open cervix, which may lead to postpartum uterine inflammatory diseases, especially in primiparous individuals. However, investigations into spatio-temporal microbial transitions in the reproductive tract of primigravid females remain limited. Our objective was to describe and compare the microbial community compositions in the vagina at late gestation and in the vagina and uterus at early postpartum in first-pregnancy heifers. Three swab samples were collected from 33 first-pregnancy Holstein Friesian heifers: one vaginal sample at gestation day 258 ± 4, and vaginal and uterine samples at postpartum day 7 ± 2. Each sample underwent 16S rRNA V4 region metagenetic analysis via Illumina MiSeq, with bioinformatics following Mothur MiSeq SOP. The reproductive tract bacterial communities were assigned to 1255 genus-level OTUs across 30 phyla. Dominant phyla, accounting for approximately 90% of the communities, included Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Fusobacteria. However, the results revealed distinct shifts in microbial composition between the prepartum vagina (Vag-pre), postpartum vagina (Vag-post), and postpartum uterus (Utr-post). The Vag-pre and Utr-post microbial profiles were the most distinct. The Utr-post group had lower relative abundances of Proteobacteria but higher abundances of Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria, and Tenericutes compared to Vag-pre, while Vag-post displayed intermediate values for these phyla, suggesting a transitional profile. Additionally, the Utr-post group exhibited lower bacterial richness and diversity compared to both Vag-pre and Vag-post. The unsupervised probabilistic Dirichlet Multinomial Mixtures model identified two distinct community types: most Vag-pre samples clustered into one type and Utr-post samples into another, while Vag-post samples were distributed evenly between the two. LEfSe analysis revealed distinct microbial profiles at the genus level. Overall, specific microbial markers were associated with anatomical and temporal transitions, revealing a dynamic microbial landscape during the first pregnancy and parturition. These differences highlight the complexity of these ecosystems and open new avenues for research in reproductive biology and microbial ecology. Full article