Age-Related Changes in Gut Health and Behavioral Biomarkers in a Beagle Dog Population.

ABSTRACT: The gut and the gut microbiome communicate with the nervous system through the gut-brain axis via neuroimmune and neuroendocrine mechanisms. Despite existing research, studies exploring this link in aging dogs are limited. This study aims to examine multiple blood and fecal biomarkers of intestinal health, along with various behavioral indicators based on saliva, blood, observations, and activity, in different age populations (junior: <2 y.o.; adult: 2-7 y.o.; senior: >7 y.o.) of thirty-seven Beagle dogs. In our study, Bacteroides were significantly higher in senior dogs. The relative abundance of Faecalibacterium and Blautia showed age-related trends, higher in senior and junior dogs, respectively. Fecal short-chain fatty acid concentration, especially acetate, increa

SUBMITTER: Fernandez-Pinteno A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11758293 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature