Diversity and Co-Occurrence Pattern Analysis of Cecal and Jejunal Microbiota in Two Rabbit Breeds

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance and microbiota variation in the jejunum and cecum of two rabbit breeds with different growth rates. This study was carried out on Native Middle-Egypt Breed (NMER) and Giant Flanders (GF) rabbits from 5 weeks to 12 weeks of age. Twenty NMER (NM) and GF male rabbits were slaughtered, and the jejunum and cecum tracts were collected to assay gut microbiota composition via 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing and histology examination. At 12 weeks of age, daily weight gain, villus height in the jejunum, total protein, and albumin were higher in GF rabbits than in NMER rabbits. Also, the jejunal villi of GF were well arranged in their dense borders. The microbiota between the jejunum and cecum was significantly different in terms of Beta-diversity. A significant correlation between Enterococcus (jejunum NM samples) and Lactobacillus (cecum GF samples) with body weight and weight gain was found (p < 0.05). Moreover, Escherichia-Shigella in the cecum of NM was significantly correlated with weight gain (p < 0.05). The most abundant genera identified in the jejunal and cecal contents of GF were generally beneficial microbiota. They may also play a role in reducing the pathogenic effects of Escherichia coli in these rabbits.

Comprehensive analysis of key host gene-microbe networks in the cecum tissues of the obese rabbits induced by a high-fat diet

“…As an important part of the large intestine, the cecum tissues play an important role in the digestion and reabsorption of food nutrition. Studies have shown that the cecum of rabbits is well-developed and can be used as a good intestinal model to study the pathogenesis of animal digestive diseases ( Dabbou et al., 2019 ; Abdel-Kafy et al., 2023 ). Therefore, this study aimed to find the interaction mechanisms among host genes and gut microbiota in the cecum tissues of rabbits fed with a high-fat diet in order to provide a basis for improving and intervening in animal and human intestinal metabolic diseases.…”

Image_2.jpeg

“…As an important part of the large intestine, the cecum tissues play an important role in the digestion and reabsorption of food nutrition. Studies have shown that the cecum of rabbits is welldeveloped and can be used as a good intestinal model to study the pathogenesis of animal digestive diseases (Dabbou et al, 2019;Abdel-Kafy et al, 2023). Therefore, this study aimed to find the interaction mechanisms among host genes and gut microbiota in the cecum tissues of rabbits fed with a high-fat diet in order to provide a basis for improving and intervening in animal and human intestinal metabolic diseases.…”