Canine Micro Biomes Affected by their Diet
Canines Micro Biomes Affected by their Diet
Abstract
Dogs and other cats alike suffer from similar maladies faced by humans. The similarity in the maladies between the two groups of organisms stems from the ability to suffer infections from microbiomes of the gut. However, most of the research and knowledge on canine microbiome is not comprehensive to enable the deduction of accurate and precise conclusions. Recently, the molecular studies conducted on the cat family indicated that there are complex microbiomes in the gastrointestinal tract of then organism. The family of microbiomes includes archaeal, fungal, bacterial, and viral groups that thrive within the digestive tracts of the mammals. The recent studies indicated that more than ten groups of bacterial groups are present in the gastrointestinal tract. Firmicutes, proteobacteria, fusobacteria, actinobacteria, and bacteroidetes makeup close to 99 percent of the entire population of the microbiota found within the gut. The importance of the microbes is that they provide a barrier to the walls of the gastrointestinal tract and prevent the organism from infections.
Introduction
The microbiota within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a complex family of microorganism made up of protozoa, bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses. Studies reveal that the tract harbors close to 10 times more microorganisms that the number of cells that make the whole body of the organisms (Middelbos et al., 2010, p. 2). A comparative study basing on 16S rRNA analysis concluded that most of the organisms within the tract are phylotypic bacteria. They play an important role in guaranteeing the health of the host organism, which results in a mutually beneficial relationship and symbiotic between the host organisms and the microbiomes within the gastrointestinal tract. The interactive relationship between the digestive system of the organism and the microorganisms within the tract are the constituents that make up the microbiota of the intestines.
Results/Method
In an experimental, six adult dogs were incorporated in the crossover design. A diet without fiber supplements and beet-pulp supplements of nearly 7.5 percent was fed to the healthy dogs. Afterward, fecal DNA was extracted from the sampled dogs. The V3 hypervariable region consisting of the 16S rDNA underwent some amplification using primers that are suitable for pyrosequencing. Assessment of the microbial diversity was done on 2000 sequence sub-samples selected randomly from the experimental samples provided by the dogs. The pooling of the DNA samples based on a diet. The results indicated that the reading from the tested samples contained 23 to 40 percent of fusobacteria, e14 to 28 percent of firmicutes, and 31 to 34 percent of bacteroidites (Middelbos et al., 2010, p. 3) These groups are the main constituents of the microbiota found within the gastrointestinal tract of the mammals.
Discussion
The results of the data suggest that there are three co-existing and dominant groups of bacterial phyla in the hindgut of the gastrointestinal tract. However, it is important to note that the digestibility of the food consumed by the mammals also determines the percentage constituent of the individual groups of the bacterial phyla (Suchodolski, 2010, p. 3). The diet served to the dogs in the sample does not have any supplements of fiber, which are often important in the process of digestion. Probably, there would be a slight shift in the percentages of the microbiota if the diet had a certain percentage of fiber supplement to hasten the process of digestion. However, it is highly unlikely that the main constituent groups of bacterial phyla will diminish significantly because of the digestibility of the diet.
References
Middelbos, I., Brittany M., Vester B., Ani Q., Bryan A., White, K.S., Fahey., G. (2010). Phylogenetic Characterization of Fecal Microbial Communities of Dogs Fed Diets with or without Supplemental Dietary Fiber Using 454 Pyrosequencing. Department of Animal Sciences.
Suchodolski, J. S., (2010). COMPANION ANIMALS SYMPOSIUM: Microbes and gastrointestinal health of dogs and cats. Journal of Animal Science. J ANIM SCI 2011, 89:1520-1530
