The Multi-Omics Analysis Revealed a Metabolic Regulatory System of Cecum in Rabbit with Diarrhea

Abstract

With the comprehensive prohibition of antibiotics in the feed industry in China, the incidence of diarrhea in rabbits increased, such as loss of appetite, vomiting, and excretion of atheromatous feces. In order to explore the pathological and the molecular mechanisms of the diarrhea in the rabbitry fed with antibiotic-free diet, we used microbial metagenomics, transcriptome, and non-targeted metabolomics sequencing. The results showed that the Firmicutes level was significantly decreased (p < 0.001) and the Proteobacteria level was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The functional enrichment of cecum revealed that most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were expressed in immune, inflammatory, and metabolic processes. The enrichment of the cecal fecal metabolites focused on the bile secretion, antifolate resistance, and tryptophan metabolism pathways, which are mainly associated with inflammation. The results of correlation analysis showed that Fournierella was positively correlated with myricetin, ursolic acid, and furtherly might cause bile secretion and tryptophan metabolism disorder, aggravate intestinal inflammation, change intestinal permeability, and reduce host immunity, leading to diarrhea in rabbits. This study provides a theoretical basis for illustrating the reason for diarrhea and developing new feeds for the health of rabbits.

Genetic and microbiome analysis of feed efficiency in laying hens

“…Fournierella and Anaerosporobacter have been reported to be significantly associated with intrahepatic fat accumulation ( Yaskolka Meir et al, 2021 ). Fournierella might be involved in bile secretion and tryptophan metabolism in rabbits with diarrhea ( Wang et al, 2022 ). Anaerosporobacter may cause vascular damage and worsen renal function in murine models ( Li et al, 2020 ) and was reported to be associated with an increase in trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) content in vivo ( Wang et al, 2016 ).…”

Research Note: Therapeutic effect of a Salmonella phage combination on chicks infected with Salmonella Typhimurium

“…Moreover, increased Helicobacter due to Salmonella infection was not restored by phage treatment. The major genus Fournierella in the phage treatment group, newly discovered in recent years, has been shown to be positively correlated with myricetin and ursolic acid in the cecum of diarrhea-afflicted rabbits; its increase might cause bile secretion and tryptophan metabolism disorders and aggravate intestinal inflammation, thus leading to diarrhea in rabbits ( Wang et al, 2022 ). We thus hypothesized that the failure of phage treatment to restore the weight loss of Salmonella -infected chicks might be likely related to the still disturbed gut flora, mainly including increased abundance of Fournierella, Escherichia-Shigella , and Helicobacter species.…”

The ratios of dietary non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) to neutral detergent fiber (NDF) influence intestinal immunity of rabbits by regulating gut microbiota composition and metabolites

“…It has been proven in ruminants that excessive organic acids can lead to the occurrence of rumen acidosis, and in this study, we also found that a high NFC ratio can lead to a decrease in the pH of the cecum. Decreasing the dietary NDF can increase the concentration of VFA in the cecum of rabbits, decrease the pH of the cecum, and improve the fermentation pattern of the cecum (Wu et al, 2019 ; Wang et al, 2022a ). Therefore, it is considered that the lower the NFC/NDF in the diet, the higher the fiber contents in the diet, the less the fermentable substances, and the poorer the ability of intestinal fermentation to produce acids, resulting in an increase in the pH of the cecum.…”