The gut microbiome correlates with conspecific aggression in a small population of rescued dogs (Canis familiaris).

ABSTRACT: Aggression is a serious behavioral disorder in domestic dogs that endangers both dogs and humans. The underlying causes of canine aggression are poorly resolved and require illumination to ensure effective therapy. Recent research links the compositional diversity of the gut microbiome to behavioral and psychological regulation in other mammals, such as mice and humans. Given these observations, we hypothesized that the composition of the canine gut microbiome could associate with aggression. We analyzed fecal microbiome samples collected from a small population of pit bull type dogs seized from a dogfighting organization. This population included 21 dogs that displayed conspecific aggressive behaviors and 10 that did not. Beta-diversity analyses support an association between gut microbio

SUBMITTER: Kirchoff NS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6330041 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature