Microbiome–Animal Interaction

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2021) | Viewed by 10787

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Animal Science, Universität Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Interests: microbiome–animal interaction; gut microbiome
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Co-Guest Editor
Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1430 Aas, Norway
Interests: anaerobic microbiomes; microbiome–host; multi-omics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microbiome–animal interactions have been of great interest since the importance of the microbial diversity and functions for the host was realized. This is primarily true for digestive processes, where animals such as ruminants rely on its microbiome for the supply of nutrients. Furthermore, growing attention is also given in respect of immune responses and social behavior, described as the gut–brain axis. While traditional molecular methods built the foundation for important discovery of the microbiome dark matter, multi-omics strategies keep increasing our understanding of the relations between animal and its microbiome. The developments in the field are also paving the way toward expanding our current knowledge by bridging host genetics and microbiome establishment, dynamics, and function.

This Special Issue on microbiome–animal interaction invites submissions (research articles and reviews) about such topics in domestic and wild animals. The aim is to gather new research results that aid our understanding of the interactions between the animal and its microbiome. Connecting microbiome analyses with host biological data is highly appreciated, and the use of multi-omics tools is recommended to get a deepened understanding of the interaction processes. Potential manuscripts can deal with the shaping of the microbiome by the host genetics or the correlation between traits and the microbiome, the influence of microbiome at different periods in the productive lifespan of various livestock species, and the influence of nutrition as well as environmental impacts caused by the microbial activity.

Prof. Dr. Jana Seifert
Guest Editor
Dr. Live H. Hagen
Co-Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • microbiome
  • animal
  • multi-omics
  • genetics
  • nutrition
  • immune response
  • animal health
  • microbiome–host interaction

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1391 KiB  
Article
Gut Microbial Composition and Predicted Functions Are Not Associated with Feather Pecking and Antagonistic Behavior in Laying Hens
by Daniel Borda-Molina, Hanna Iffland, Markus Schmid, Regina Müller, Svenja Schad, Jana Seifert, Jens Tetens, Werner Bessei, Jörn Bennewitz and Amélia Camarinha-Silva
Life 2021, 11(3), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/life11030235 - 12 Mar 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3052
Abstract
Background: Feather pecking is a well-known problem in layer flocks that causes animal welfare restrictions and contributes to economic losses. Birds’ gut microbiota has been linked to feather pecking. This study aims to characterize the microbial communities of two laying hen lines divergently [...] Read more.
Background: Feather pecking is a well-known problem in layer flocks that causes animal welfare restrictions and contributes to economic losses. Birds’ gut microbiota has been linked to feather pecking. This study aims to characterize the microbial communities of two laying hen lines divergently selected for high (HFP) and low (LFP) feather pecking and investigates if the microbiota is associated with feather pecking or agonistic behavior. Methods: Besides phenotyping for the behavioral traits, microbial communities from the digesta and mucosa of the ileum and caeca were investigated using target amplicon sequencing and functional predictions. Microbiability was estimated with a microbial mixed linear model. Results: Ileum digesta showed an increase in the abundance of the genus Lactobacillus in LFP, while Escherichia was abundant in HFP hens. In the caeca digesta and mucosa of the LFP line were more abundant Faecalibacterium and Blautia. Tryptophan metabolism and lysine degradation were higher in both digesta and mucosa of the HFP hens. Linear models revealed that the two lines differ significantly in all behavior traits. Microbiabilities were close to zero and not significant in both lines and for all traits. Conclusions: Trait variation was not affected by the gut microbial composition in both selection lines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbiome–Animal Interaction)
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17 pages, 4552 KiB  
Article
The Alteration of Intestinal Microbiota Profile and Immune Response in Epinephelus coioides during Pathogen Infection
by Joan Tang Xiao Joe, Yung-Che Tseng, Jen-Leih Wu and Ming-Wei Lu
Life 2021, 11(2), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/life11020099 - 28 Jan 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3853
Abstract
Epinephelus coioides, or grouper, is a high economic value fish species that plays an important role in the aquaculture industry in Asia. However, both viral and bacterial diseases have threatened grouper for many years, especially nervous necrosis virus, grouper iridovirus and Vibrio [...] Read more.
Epinephelus coioides, or grouper, is a high economic value fish species that plays an important role in the aquaculture industry in Asia. However, both viral and bacterial diseases have threatened grouper for many years, especially nervous necrosis virus, grouper iridovirus and Vibrio harveyi, which have caused a bottleneck in the grouper industry. Currently, intestinal microbiota can provide novel insights into the pathogenesis-related factors involved in pathogen infection. Hence, we investigated the comparison of intestinal microbiota communities in control group and pathogen-infected grouper through high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Our results showed that microbial diversity was decreased, whereas microbial richness was increased during pathogen infection. The individuals in each group were distributed distinctly on the PLSDA diagram, especially the GIV group. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the most abundant bacterial phyla in all groups. Interestingly, beneficial genera, Faecalibacterium and Bifidobacterium, predominated in the intestines of the control group. In contrast, the intestines of pathogen-infected grouper had higher levels of harmful genera such as Sphingomonas, Atopostipes, Staphylococcus and Acinetobacter. Additionally, we investigated the expression levels of innate and adaptive immune-related genes after viral and bacterial infection. The results revealed that immunoglobulin T and proinflammatory cytokine levels in the intestine increased after pathogen infection. Through these unique bacterial compositions in diseased and uninfected fish, we could establish a novel therapeutic approach and bacterial marker for preventing and controlling these diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbiome–Animal Interaction)
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17 pages, 1675 KiB  
Article
A Single Faecal Microbiota Transplantation Altered the Microbiota of Weaned Pigs
by Tanya L. Nowland, Valeria A. Torok, Wai Y. Low, Kate J. Plush, Mary D. Barton and Roy N. Kirkwood
Life 2020, 10(9), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/life10090203 - 15 Sep 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2956
Abstract
Weaning is a stressful time for piglets, often leading to weight loss and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A leading cause for these post-weaning problems is enteric dysbiosis and methods to improve piglet health at this crucial developmental stage are needed. [...] Read more.
Weaning is a stressful time for piglets, often leading to weight loss and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A leading cause for these post-weaning problems is enteric dysbiosis and methods to improve piglet health at this crucial developmental stage are needed. This study aimed to determine whether an enteric dysbiosis caused by weaning could be corrected via a faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from healthy piglets from a previous wean. Two or four focal piglets per litter were assigned to one of two treatments; FMT two days post weaning (n = 21; FMT) or a control which received saline two days post weaning (n = 21; CON). FMT consisted of homogenised donor faeces administered orally at 3 mL/kg. Weaning occurred at 18 days of age and weights and faecal samples were collected on days 18, 20, 24 and 35. 16S rRNA amplicon analysis was used to assess the faecal microbiota of piglets. FMT increased Shannon’s diversity post weaning (p < 0.001) and reduced the scratch score observed at 24 days of age (p < 0.001). The bacterial populations significantly differed in composition at each taxonomic level. In FMT pigs, significant increases in potentially pathogenic Escherichia coli were observed. However, increases in beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus mucosae and genera Fibrobacteres and Bacteroidetes were also observed in FMT treated animals. To our knowledge, this is the first study to observe a significant effect on piglet faecal microbiota following a single FMT administered post weaning. Therefore, FMT post weaning can potentially alleviate enteric dysbiosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbiome–Animal Interaction)
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