# Dynamic Changes in the Gut Microbiota During Peripartum in Jennies

## TL;DR

This study tracks changes in the gut microbiome of female donkeys during late pregnancy and early lactation, revealing shifts that could impact foal health.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific microbial shifts and functional pathways in jennies during the peripartum period using 16S rRNA sequencing.

## Key findings

- Bacteroidota and Firmicutes were the most abundant bacterial phyla in jenny feces during the peripartum period.
- Treponema and Lachnospiraceae XPB1014 group increased significantly at L3 compared to G7.
- Beta lactam resistance, insulin resistance, and peptidases were top functional pathways in the gut microbiota.

## Abstract

Profound alterations occur in maternal physiology throughout the late pregnancy, parturition, and the neonatal periods in jennies (i.e., female donkeys). These alterations may have direct effects on the early microbial colonization of the foal’s gut. In this study, seven time points, both prepartum and postpartum, were used to investigate the changes in the gut microbiome of jennies using the next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA. The key findings show that the gut microbial structure changed significantly at different time points during the peripartum period in jennies. Understanding these microbial dynamics can enhance the ability to support the health of jennies and their foals.

The peripartum period is critical for breeding female donkeys (i.e., jennies) and ensuring the delivery of healthy neonatal foals. The gut microbiota deeply influences the host metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the dynamic changes in the gut microbiome during the peripartum period in jennies. Fresh fecal samples of eight adult jennies were collected at the following seven sampling time points: 21, 7, and 3 days prepartum (G21, G7, and G3) and 1, 3, 7, and 14 days postpartum (L1, L3, L7, and L14). Sequencing of the V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA genes was carried out using fecal samples to identify the differences in the microbiome across the peripartum period. Bacteroidota and Firmicutes were the most abundant bacterial phyla in the feces. Treponema and Lachnospiraceae XPB1014 group significantly increased in the L3 group compared to the G7 group (q < 0.05), and a decline trend was observed in L1 group around parturition. The genus Clostridium sensu stricto 1, family Clostridiaceae, and order Clostridiales were considered to be biomarkers of the L3 group. Among the 25 functional pathways detected by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, beta lactam resistance, insulin resistance, and peptidases were the top three important pathways observed in the gut microbiota during the peripartum period in jennies. The gut microbial structure changed significantly at different time points during the peripartum period in jennies. These results contribute to a better understanding of the gut microbiota to ensure health care during important phases from late pregnancy to early lactation in jennies.