Shah Syed Ata Ur Rahman, Tang Bin, He Dekui, Hao Yujiang, Nabi Ghulam, Wang Chaoqun, Kou Zhangbing, Wang Kexiong
Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Biol Reprod. 2024 Dec 12;111(6):1249-1261. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioae123.
Gestation period in captive Yangtze finless porpoise (YFP) is a well-coordinated and dynamic process, involving both systemic and local alterations. The gut microbiota and its connection to fecal metabolites are crucial in supporting fetal development and ensuring maternal health during reproductive stages. This study evaluates changes in the gut microbiota and their correlation with fecal metabolites in captive YFPs during different reproductive stages. The results reveal that microbial community structure changed significantly during reproductive stages, while gut microbial diversity remained stable. The genus unclassified Peptostrptococcaceae, Corynebacterium, and norank KD4-96 were significantly greater in non-pregnancy (NP), Terrisporobacter was significantly greater in lactating (LL), and Clostridium was significantly higher in early-pregnancy (EP) compared to the other groups. The host fecal metabolome exhibited significant alterations during the reproductive stages. Indoxyl sulfate, octadecatrienoic acid, and methionyl-methionine were significantly higher in the NP; galactosylglycerol, chondroitin 6-sulfate, and lumichrome were significantly higher in the EP and mid-pregnancy (MP); and valylleucine and butyryl-l-carnitine were significantly higher in the LL. The altered metabolites were mostly concentrated in pathways associated with arachidonic acid metabolism (significantly altered in NP), leucine, valine, and isoleucine biosynthesis (significantly altered in EP and MP), and glycerophospholipid metabolism (significantly altered in LL compared to others stages). Additionally, we found a strong link between variations in the host metabolism and alterations in the fecal bacteria of captive YFP. In conclusion, this study provides detailed insights into host metabolic and fecal bacterial changes in captive YFP during reproduction stages, providing important knowledge for improving the reproductive management in the captive YFP.
圈养长江江豚的妊娠期是一个协调良好且动态的过程，涉及全身和局部的变化。肠道微生物群及其与粪便代谢物的联系对于支持胎儿发育和确保生殖阶段的母体健康至关重要。本研究评估了圈养长江江豚在不同生殖阶段肠道微生物群的变化及其与粪便代谢物的相关性。结果显示，生殖阶段微生物群落结构发生显著变化，而肠道微生物多样性保持稳定。与其他组相比，未分类的消化链球菌科、棒状杆菌属和无分类地位的KD4-96在非妊娠（NP）期显著增多，地芽孢杆菌属在哺乳期（LL）显著增多，梭菌属在妊娠早期（EP）显著增多。宿主粪便代谢组在生殖阶段表现出显著变化。硫酸吲哚酚、十八碳三烯酸和甲硫氨酰 - 甲硫氨酸在NP期显著升高；半乳糖基甘油、硫酸软骨素6 - 硫酸酯和核黄素在EP期和妊娠中期（MP）显著升高；缬氨酰亮氨酸和丁酰 - L - 肉碱在LL期显著升高。变化的代谢物大多集中在与花生四烯酸代谢相关的途径（在NP期显著改变）、亮氨酸、缬氨酸和异亮氨酸生物合成途径（在EP期和MP期显著改变）以及甘油磷脂代谢途径（与其他阶段相比，在LL期显著改变）。此外，我们发现圈养长江江豚宿主代谢变化与粪便细菌变化之间存在紧密联系。总之，本研究详细揭示了圈养长江江豚生殖阶段宿主代谢和粪便细菌的变化，为改善圈养长江江豚的生殖管理提供了重要知识。
