Effects of Different Levels of Flea Infestation on Gut Microbiota of Brandt's Voles (<i>Lasiopodomys brandtii</i>) in China.

ABSTRACT: Brandt's vole is a common small rodent, and its gut microbiota is critical to host health and immune function. The parasitic fleas commonly found in Brandt's voles cause an immune response, but their impact on the gut microbiota remains unclear. According to the level of flea infestation, Brandt's voles were divided into the control group, low-infestation group, and high-infestation group. The changes in the microbial community composition, abundance, and diversity of the gut microbiota were evaluated using 16S rRNA sequencing. Flea infestation significantly affected body weight, food intake, and gut microbiota structure. The low-infestation group exhibited the most pronounced changes in weight and food intake, while the high-infestation group showed the least. In the 4th week, 16S rRNA se

SUBMITTER: Wang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11899220 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature