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Investigation of the faecal microbiota of kittens: monitoring bacterial succession and effect of diet

Jia, J., Frantz, N., Khoo, C., Gibson, G. R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0566-0476, Rastall, R. A. and McCartney, A. L. (2011) Investigation of the faecal microbiota of kittens: monitoring bacterial succession and effect of diet. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 78 (2). pp. 395-404. ISSN 1574-6941

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To link to this item DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01172.x

Abstract/Summary

Weaning is a stressful process for kittens, and is often associated with diarrhoea and the onset of infectious diseases. The gastrointestinal microbiota plays an essential role in host well-being, including improving homeostasis. Composition of the gastrointestinal microbiota of young cats is poorly understood, and the impact of diet on the kitten microbiota unknown. The aims of this study were to monitor the faecal microbiota of kittens and determine the effect(s) of diet on its composition. Bacterial succession was monitored in two groups of kittens (at 4 and 6 weeks, and 4 and 9 months of age) fed different foods. Age-related microbial changes revealed significantly different counts of total bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, Desulfovibrionales, Clostridium cluster IX and Bacteroidetes between 4-week- and 9-month-old kittens. Diet-associated differences in the faecal microbiota of the two feeding groups were evident. In general, fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis demonstrated bifidobacteria, Atopobium group, Clostridium cluster XIV and lactic acid bacteria were dominant in kittens. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiling showed highly complex and diverse faecal microbiotas for kittens, with age- and/or food-related changes seen in relation to species richness and similarity indices. Four-week-old kittens harboured more diverse and variable profiles than those of weaned kittens.

Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences > Food Microbial Sciences Research Group
Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences > Food Research Group
ID Code:22321
Uncontrolled Keywords:microbial ecology; gastrointestinal; denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis
Publisher:Blackwell

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