Characterization and Comparison of the Rumen Luminal and Epithelial Microbiome Profiles Using Metagenomic Sequencing Technique.

Bacterial dysbiosis as a result of nutritional, bacterial, viral, and parasitic gastrointestinal infections can adversely affect the metabolism, productivity, and overall health of cattle. The purpose of this project was to characterize the commensal microbiota present in two locations of the rumen concomitantly with the animals undergoing habitual husbandry, as it was hypothesized that there are major differences in the commensal microbiota present in the two locations of the adult bovine major forestomach. A surgically fitted rumen cannula was used to allow ruminal lumen contents and mucosal biopsies to be collected from six crossbred yearling steers.

Longitudinal Analysis of the Intestinal Microbiota in the Obese Mangalica Pig Reveals Alterations in Bacteria and Bacteriophage Populations Associated With Changes in Body Composition and Diet.

Due to its immunomodulatory potential, the intestinal microbiota has been implicated as a contributing factor in the development of the meta-inflammatory state that drives obesity-associated insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. A better understanding of this link would facilitate the development of targeted treatments and therapies to treat the metabolic complications of obesity. To this end, we validated and utilized a novel swine model of obesity, the Mangalica pig, to characterize changes in the gut microbiota during the development of an obese phenotype, and in response to dietary differences.

Integrative Longitudinal Analysis of Metabolic Phenotype and Microbiota Changes During the Development of Obesity.

Obesity has increased at an alarming rate over the past two decades in the United States. In addition to increased body mass, obesity is often accompanied by comorbidities such as Type II Diabetes Mellitus and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, with serious impacts on public health. Our understanding of the role the intestinal microbiota in obesity has rapidly advanced in recent years, especially with respect to the bacterial constituents.

Microbiome Profiling of the Luminal and Mucosal Surface of the Duodenum Using a Cannulated Yearling Bovine Model.

The gut microbiome provides important metabolic functions for the host animal. Bacterial dysbiosis as a result of bacterial, viral, and parasitic gastrointestinal infections can adversely affect the metabolism, productivity, and overall health. The objective of this study is to characterize the commensal microbiome present in the lumen and the mucosal surface of the duodenum of cattle, as we hypothesize that due to metabolic processes and or host proprieties, there are differences in the natural microbiota present in the mucosal surface and luminal contents of the bovine duodenum.

Maternal Dietary Protein Intake Influences Milk and Offspring Gut Microbial Diversity in a Rat () Model.

Historically, investigators have assumed microorganisms identified in mother's milk to be contaminants, but recent data suggest that milk microbiota may contribute to beneficial maternal effects. Microorganisms that colonize the gastrointestinal tracts of newborn mammals are derived, at least in part, from the maternal microbial population. Milk-derived microbiota is an important source of this microbial inocula and we hypothesized that the maternal diet contributes to variation in this microbial community.