The Equine Gastrointestinal Microbiome: Impacts of Age and Obesity.

ABSTRACT: Gastrointestinal microbial communities are increasingly being implicated in host susceptibilities to nutritional/metabolic diseases; such conditions are more prevalent in obese and/or older horses. This controlled study evaluated associations between host-phenotype and the fecal microbiome / metabolome. Thirty-five, Welsh Mountain pony mares were studied across 2 years (Controls, n = 6/year, 5-15 years, Body Condition Score (BCS) 4.5-6/9; Obese, n = 6/year, 5-15 years, BCS > 7/9; Aged, n = 6 Year 1; n = 5 Year 2, ≥19 years old). Animals were individually fed the same hay to maintenance (2% body mass as daily dry matter intake) for 2 (aged / obese) or 4 (control), 4-week periods in a randomized study. Outset phenotype was determined (body fat%, markers of insulin

SUBMITTER: Morrison PK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6293011 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature