Characterization of Bacterial Microbiota Composition along the Gastrointestinal Tract in Rabbits

Abstract

The microbiota is extremely important for the animal’s health, but, to date, knowledge on the intestinal microbiota of the rabbit is very limited. This study aimed to describe bacterial populations that inhabit the different gastrointestinal compartments of the rabbit: stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum, and colon. Samples of the luminal content from all compartments of 14 healthy New White Zealand rabbits were collected at slaughter and analyzed using next generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing. The findings uncovered considerable differences in the taxonomic levels among the regions of the digestive tract. Firmicutes were the most abundant phylum in all of the sections (45.9%), followed by Bacteroidetes in the large intestine (38.9%) and Euryarchaeota in the foregut (25.9%). Four clusters of bacterial populations were observed along the digestive system: (i) stomach, (ii) duodenum and jejunum, (iii) ileum, and (iv) large intestine. Caecum and colon showed the highest richness and diversity in bacterial species, while the highest variability was found in the upper digestive tract. Knowledge of the physiological microbiota of healthy rabbits could be important for preserving the health and welfare of the host as well as for finding strategies to manipulate the gut microbiota in order to also promote productive performance.

Rabbit microbiota across the whole body revealed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing

“…However, except for the systematic investigation of human microbiome, few comprehensive surveys of microbiome across multiple body sites were carried out on mammals. Most studies have focused on local microbes in specific parts, such as gut microbes [ 16 , 20 , 31 ] or respiratory tract microbes [ 32 , 33 ]. Rabbits share close relationship with humans, which can produce useful animal products for humans or serve as pets or biomedical animal models [ 2 , 3 ].…”

“…In 2020, the dynamic distribution of gut microbiota in commercial Ira rabbits from weaning to finishing was investigated [ 18 ] and the relationship between the microbiota and average daily gain was uncovered via 16S rRNA gene sequencing [ 19 ]. More recently, bacterial microbiota composition along the gastrointestinal tract in New White Zealand rabbits was comprehensively characterized using next generation 16S rRNA gene sequencing [ 20 ].…”

Effect of Nanoencapsulated Alginate-Synbiotic on Gut Microflora Balance, Immunity, and Growth Performance of Growing Rabbits

“…In particular, the Sabouraud Dextrose agar was used for yeast counts; de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe agar for Lactobacillus counts; the MacConkey agar media for coliform counts; and Salmonella and Shigella agar plates for Salmonella counts. Plates were then incubated at 37 °C from 24 h to 72 h [ 24 , 25 ]. Fecal scores were assigned from 1 to 4, where score 1: normal; 2: soft; 3: mixed soft and liquid; and 4: completely liquid [ 26 ].…”

Probiotics in Rabbit Farming: Growth Performance, Health Status, and Meat Quality

“…In rabbits, the alteration of microbiota equilibrium can determine pathological effect, such as enteritis producing economic losses in rabbit farms. In general, the aetiopathogenesis of intestinal inflammatory processes is caused by multifactorial factors, such as environmental, nutritional, age, management, and pathogenic agents ( Escherichia coli , Clostridium spiroforme , Lawsonia intracellularis , Clostridium piliforme , Salmonella spp., rotaviruses, coronaviruses, parvoviruses, and astroviruses) [ 23 ].…”