Gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in captive and wild North China leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis) by comparsion using 16 s rRNA gene sequencing and LC/MS-based metabolomics

Abstract

Background Gut microbes significantly contribute to nutrient digestion and absorption, intestinal health and immunity, and are essential for the survival and environmental adaptation of wild animals. However, there are few studies on the gut microbiota of captive and wild North China leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis). Results A total of 10 mainly bacterial phyla were identified in the fecal microbiota of North China leopard, Lachnoclostridium (p = 0.003), Peptoclostridium (p = 0.005), Bacteroides (p = 0.008), Fusobacterium (p = 0.017) and Collinsella (p = 0.019) were significantly higher than those of wild North China leopard. Distinct differences in the fecal metabolic phenotypes of captive and wild North China leopard were found, such as content of l-methionine, n-acetyl-l-tyrosine, pentadecanoic acid and oleic acid. Differentially abundant gut microbes were associated with fecal metabolites, especially the bacteria in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, involved in the metabolism of N-acetyl-L-alanine and D-quinovose. Conclusion This study reports for the first time the differences in gut microbiota abundance between captive and wild North China leopard, as well as significant differences in fecal metabolic phenotypes between two groups.

Over Time Decay of Cortisol Metabolites in Faecal Pellets of Koalas in Central Queensland

“…The effect of enzymes produced by the intestinal microbiome on the metabolism of steroids is well known, and studies have shown that the quality and quantity of metabolites are influenced by intestinal bacteria [ 2 , 12 , 17 ]. The effect of bacteria continues in faecal material after defecation and can have effects on the stability of metabolites [ 18 ].…”

“…Therefore, we froze the samples for storage to avoid further changes of FCM levels. Whereas some studies reported an increase in FCM values after simulated or natural wet weather [ 12 , 22 ], others could not identify changes after water was poured onto the samples [ 19 ]. It was interesting to notice that, in our study, despite the physical change in the pellets due to rain in treatment E, there was no significant variation in the adjusted FCM values measured by the 50c EIA.…”

“…However, freshly defecated pellets are not always available in field studies. Environmental conditions including, but not limited to, temperature and humidity affect faecal bacterial activity and cortisol metabolites [ 10 , 11 , 12 ].Excreted FCMs and microbiomes are also species-specific, and the method used for measuring the metabolites plays a crucial role. Therefore, the stability of FCMs needs to be evaluated for each species and method [ 2 , 11 ].…”

Capparis spinosa Alleviates DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis via Regulation of the Gut Microbiota and Oxidative Stress

“…In recent years, metabolomic studies of fecal samples have found that metabolic phenotypic changes are associated with gut microbiota changes in the development of diseases [ 40 ]. Through fecal analysis, we compared the metabolic pathways, metabolite types, and the relationship between the microbial community and metabolites between the 5-ASA and DSS groups and the CSWE(H) and DSS groups.…”

“…In recent years, metabolomic studies of fecal samples have found that metabolic phenotypic changes are associated with gut microbiota changes in the development of diseases [40].…”