Domesticated equine species and their derived hybrids differ in their fecal microbiota.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Compared to horses and ponies, donkeys have increased degradation of dietary fiber. The longer total mean retention time of feed in the donkey gut has been proposed to be the basis of this, because of the increased time available for feed to be acted upon by enzymes and the gut microbiota. However, differences in terms of microbial concentrations and/or community composition in the hindgut may also underpin the increased degradation of fiber in donkeys. Therefore, a study was conducted to assess if differences existed between the fecal microbiota of pony, donkey and hybrids derived from them (i.e. pony × donkey) when fed the same forage diet.

Results

Fecal community composition of prokaryotes and anaerobic fungi significantly differed between equine types. The rel

SUBMITTER: Edwards JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7807894 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature