Fecal Microbial Communities of Nellore and Crossbred Beef Calves Raised at Pasture.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of age and genetics on the fecal microbiota of beef calves. Ten purebred Nellore (Bos taurus indicus) and ten crossbreed 50% Nellore-50% European breed (Bos taurus taurus) calves co-habiting on the same pasture paddock had fecal samples collected on days five (5 d), 14 d, 28 d, 60 d, 90 d, 180 d, 245 d (weaning) and 260 d after birth. All calves were kept with their mothers, and six Nellore dams were also sampled at weaning. Microbiota analysis was carried out by amplification of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene following high-throughput sequencing with a MiSeq Illumina platform. Results revealed that bacterial richness increased with age and became more similar to adults near weaning. Differences in microbiota membership between breeds were found at 60 d and 90 d and for structure at 60 d, 90 d, 245 d, and 260 d (p < 0.05). In addition, crossbreed calves presented less variability in their microbiota. In conclusion, the genetic composition significantly impacted the distal gut microbiota of calves co-habiting in the same environment, and further studies investigating food intake can reveal possible associations between microbiota composition and performance.

Evaluation of changes in microbiota after fecal microbiota transplantation in 6 diarrheic horses.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the fecal microbiota of horses with acute and chronic diarrhea before and after fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Six client-owned horses with acute and chronic diarrhea received FMT from 2 healthy donor horses. Microbiota analysis using next-generation sequencing was performed on fecal samples collected before and 2 and 7 d after FMT. Signs of diarrhea improved in 4 horses, whereas the remaining 2 horses did not survive. There was a significant difference in the number of bacterial species between donors and recipients (P < 0.05). The Order Lactobacillales and the genera Lactobacillus, Intestinimonas, and Streptococcus were increased in the microbiota of diarrheic horses, and Saccharofermentans genus increased in healthy donors. The results suggest that FMT from the healthy donors was not effective over a 7-day period as it did not change the fecal microbiota of the diarrheic horses. Further research to improve the efficacy of FMT in horses is needed.

Évaluation des modifications du microbiote après une transplantation de microbiote fécal chez six chevaux avec la diarrhée. Le but de cette étude était de caractériser le microbiote fécal des chevaux souffrant de diarrhée aiguë et chronique avant et après la transplantation de microbiote fécal (FMT). Six chevaux souffrant de diarrhée aiguë et chronique et appartenant à des clients ont reçu des FMT provenant de deux chevaux donneurs en bonne santé. Une analyse du microbiote a été réalisée sur des échantillons fécaux prélevés avant et 2 et 7 jours après la FMT. Les signes de la diarrhée se sont améliorés chez 4 des 6 chevaux, tandis que les deux autres n'ont pas survécu. Il y avait une différence significative dans la richesse bactérienne entre les donneurs et les récipients (P < 0,05). L'ordre Lactobacillales, et les genres Lactobacillus, Intestinimonas et Streptococcus ont été associés au microbiote des chevaux diarrhéiques et le genre Saccharofermentanes à celui des donneurs sains. Les résultats suggèrent que la FMT n'a pas réussi à changer le microbiote fécal des chevaux diarrhéiques sur une période de 7 jours. Des recherches supplémentaires pour améliorer l'efficacité de la FMT chez les chevaux sont nécessaires.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Changes in the fecal microbiota of beef cattle caused by change in management and the use of virginiamycin as a growth promoter.

Several factors are known to affect the intestinal microbiota of cattle. However, how these changes occur over time is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the consequences of entrance into a feedlot and the effects of virginiamycin used as a growth promoter on the bovine fecal microbiota. Two batches of beef cattle (B1, n=50 and B2, n=36) entering a feedlot operation were randomly divided into two pens: one receiving virginiamycin and one group not receiving antibiotic (control group). Fecal samples were collected at arrival, mid feedlot and at exit to slaughter. The V4 region of 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced. Escherichia coli strains isolated in samples from arrival and exit of B2 were also isolated and used as indicators of antimicrobial susceptibility. Marked changes in membership and structure of fecal microbiota occurred following entrance into the feedlot. At mid feedlot, virginiamycin affected bacterial community membership, but not structure, suggesting that the antibiotic had a stronger effect on the rare, but not on the most abundant species. The use of virginiamycin had no demonstrable effect on antibiotic resistance in E. coli. The differences found between batches are suggestive that variations in study conditions are important and can strongly affect the intestinal microbiota.

Effects of a new intravenous electrolyte solution for veterinary therapy on the electrolyte and acid-base balances of healthy horses / Efeito de uma nova solução eletrolítica intravenosa para uso veterinário sobre os equilíbrios eletrolítico e ácido base de equinos sadios

ABSTRACT: The effects of a new intravenous electrolyte solution for veterinary therapy on electrolyte and acid-base balances of horses were evaluated, assessing the potential of the use of this solution as a rational alternative in fluid therapy. Eight healthy adult horses, including 4 males and 4 females, received two treatments in a cross-over design: isotonic saline solution (IS) and a test solution (TS) containing 145mEq of Na+, 5mEq of K+, 4mEq of Ca++, 2mEq of Mg++, 96mEq of Cl-, 60mEq of lactate, 50g of dextrose, and 4mg of cyanocobalamin per liter. Solutions were IV infused in a volume corresponding to 5% of BW, over 3 hours. Venous blood samples were taken 5 times before and after the infusion (at 0, 3, 6, 9 e 24h), for pHv, pCO2v, HCO3 -v, BEv, Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca++, Ca, P, Mg, glucose and L-lactate measurements, and AG and SID calculations. The data were analyzed through repeated measures ANOVA. The IS caused mild acidifying effect by increasing Cl- and decreasing plasma SID. In contrast, the TS induced mild and transient hypochloremia without changes in acid-base balance. Hyperglycemia was present at the end of the TS infusion and reversed 6 hours later. The horses did not exhibit any clinical changes. We concluded that TS is an option for fluid therapy in horses.

RESUMO: Considerando a possibilidade de ser empregada como alternativa racional na terapia com fluidos, avaliaram-se os efeitos de uma nova solução eletrolítica intravenosa, desenvolvida para uso veterinário, sobre os equilíbrios eletrolítico e ácido base de equinos. Oito equinos adultos sadios, quatro machos e quatro fêmeas, foram submetidos a dois tratamentos em delineamento cross-over: solução salina isotônica (SI) e solução teste (ST), composta por 145mEq de Na+, 5mEq de K+, 4mEq de Ca++, 2mEq de Mg++, 96mEq de Cl-, 60mEq de lactato, 50g de dextrose e 4mg de cianocobalamina por litro. As soluções foram administradas por via intravenosa, em volume correspondente a 5% do peso corporal, durante três horas de infusão contínua. Amostras de sangue venoso foram colhidas em cinco momentos, antes e após a infusão (0, 3, 6, 9 e 24h), para determinações de pHv, pCO2v, HCO3 -v, BEv, Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca++, Ca, P, Mg, glicose e lactato L, e para cálculo de AG e SID. Os resultados foram analisados por análise de variância de medidas repetidas. Enquanto a SI gerou efeito acidificante discreto, com elevação da cloremia e redução da SID plasmática, a ST causou hipocloremia discreta e transitória e não interferiu com o equilíbrio ácido base. A hiperglicemia, presente ao final da infusão da ST, reverteu-se seis horas após. Os equinos não manifestaram alterações clínicas. Conclui-se que a ST é uma alternativa para a terapia com fluidos em equinos.