Abstract Preview
Abstract
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Title Dolphin Microbiome Probiotics and Environmental Influences |
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Type Poster Presentation |
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Theme Probiotics and Prebiotics: Excellence in Science and Clinical Translation |
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Topic Translational Microbiome Studies |
Authors
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Main Author Cesar Cardona1 |
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Presenting Author Cesar Cardona1 |
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Co-Author Bill Van Bonn Simon Lax Jack Gilbert Jarrad Hampton-Marcell Peter Larsen Brent Stephens Christian Edwardson |
Authors' Institution
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Department / Institution / Country Biophysical Sciences Graduate Program / The University of Chicago / United States1 |
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Background and Rationale The relationship between a host and its resident microbiome has been implicated in health, with the microbiota providing benefits to the host through innate immunity, nutrition and metabolism. However the effects of environmental influences or probiotics added to the diet are not clear understood.
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Objectives: Indicates the purpose of the study Host-associated microbial dynamics are influenced by dietary and immune factors, but how exogenous microbial exposure: environmental microbiome or probiotics shape host-microbial dynamics and stability remains poorly characterized. With this study we seek to gain valuable insights into the ecological influence of probiotics and other exogenous microbial exposure, as well as laying the foundation for animal health and improving aquarium management practices. |
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Methodology: Describe pertinent experimental procedures To investigate this phenomenon, we characterized the skin, stool, and respiratory-associated microbiota in four aquarium-housed dolphins, daily over a period of 6 weeks, including administration of a probiotic during weeks 4-6. The environmental bacterial sources were also characterized, including the animals’ human handlers, the aquarium air and water, and the dolphins’ food supply. |
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Results: Summarize the results of the research Continuous microbial exchange occurred between all sites, yet each environment maintained a characteristic microbiota. Small changes in water physicochemistry had a significant but weak correlation with the change in dolphin-associated bacterial richness, but had no influence on phylogenetic diversity. Food and air microbiota were the richest and had the largest conditional influence on other microbiota in the absence of probiotics, but during probiotic administration food alone had the largest influence on the stability of the dolphin microbiota. |
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Conclusions: State the main conclusions Our results suggests that respiratory and gastrointestinal epithelial interaction with air and food-associated microbes has the biggest influence on host-microbial dynamics, while other interactions, such as skin transmission, played only a minor role. Finally, direct probiotics administration foreign exogenous microbial source can have a profound effect on microbial stability. |
Requires Audio or Video system for Presentation?: Yes
