Coprophagy prevention alters microbiome, metabolism, neurochemistry, and cognitive behavior in a small mammal.

ABSTRACT: Many small mammals engage in coprophagy, or the behavior of consuming feces, as a means to meet nutritional requirements when feeding on low-quality foods. In addition to nutritional benefits, coprophagy may also help herbivores retain necessary gut microbial diversity and function, which may have downstream physiological effects, such as maintaining energy balance and cognitive function. Here, we used collars to prevent Brandt's vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii) from engaging in coprophagy and monitored changes in microbial community structure, energy metabolism, and cognitive performance. In this research, we found that coprophagy prevention decreased alpha diversity of the gut microbiota, and altered proportions of microbial taxa such as Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Oscillospira. Preventin

SUBMITTER: Bo TB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7490276 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature