Composition and evolution of the gut microbiota of growing puppies is impacted by their birth weight

Abstract

Low birth weight puppies present an increased risk of neonatal mortality, morbidity, and some long-term health issues. Yet it has not been investigated if those alterations could be linked to the gut microbiota composition and evolution. 57 puppies were weighed at birth and rectal swabs were performed at 7 time points from birth to 56 days of age. Puppies were grouped into four birth weight quartiles, with individuals from the first quartile (Q1) presenting the lowest birth weight and the fourth quartile (Q4) the highest. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to highlight differences in the fecal microbiota. During the first three weeks, the relative abundance of facultative anaerobic bacteria such as E. coli, C. perfringens and Tyzzerella was higher in Q1 feces, but they catch back with the other groups afterwards. Q4 puppies showed higher abundances of Faecalibacterium and Bacteroides during the neonatal period, suggesting an earlier maturation of their microbiota. The results of this study suggest that birth weight impact the initial establishment of the gut microbiota in puppies. Mainly, a lower initial oxygen level in the gut of Q1 puppies may cause the proliferation of opportunistic bacteria. Innovative strategies would be desired to deal with altered gut microbiota in low birth weight puppies aming to improve their survival and long term health.

The importance of the intestinal microbiota in humans and dogs in the neonatal period

“…The composition of the intestinal microbiota evolves rapidly during the development of a dog's life, with the intestine being progressively colonized by crucial bacteria, mainly anaerobic, before reaching adulthood. These bacterial communities are of paramount importance for the host's health, and any disturbances in their composition can lead to changes in metabolic states, potentially resulting in gastrointestinal disorders (Garrigues et al, 2023).…”

“…Over time, the proportion of aerotolerant bacteria decreases in the puppy's gut. The increase in abundance of these bacteria in the puppy's gut is not only related to oxygen homeostasis but also to the ingestion of milk during the neonatal period, as these bacteria can digest milk oligosaccharides and produce lactate (Garrigues et al, 2023).…”

“…Although many studies focus on the microbiota of children, there is still a lack of knowledge about the development of the intestinal microbiota in puppies. Understanding this initial evolution is becoming a fundamental aspect in improving the short and long-term health and well-being of dogs (Garrigues et al, 2023).…”

“…Therefore, it appears that the establishment of the intestinal microbiota exerts a crucial influence on the well-being of neonates across various species, impacting vital processes and neurobehavioral development (Steiner and Ruaux, 2008). Consequently, investigating the factors that shape this microbial community emerges as promising research area with the potential to mitigate morbidity and mortality in dogs (Garrigues et al, 2023).…”

“…Alterations in gut microbiota have been associated with various gastrointestinal and systemic diseases, highlighting the potential utility of studying intestinal microbiota in diagnostic procedures and therapies (Garrigues et al, 2023).…”