scholarly journals Vaginal microbiota differences associated with pelvic organ prolapse risk during late gestation in commercial sows

Author(s):  
Zoë E Kiefer ◽  
Lucas R Koester ◽  
Jamie M Studer ◽  
Amanda L Chipman ◽  
Christine Mainquist-Whigham ◽  
...  

Abstract During the last decade, sow mortality due to pelvic organ prolapse (POP) has increased. To better understand the biology associated with POP, sows were phenotypically assessed and assigned perineal scores (PS) based on presumed POP risk and categorized as PS1 (low), PS2 (moderate), or PS3 (high). The study objective was to identify changes in sow vaginal microbiota that may be associated with POP. The hypothesis is vaginal microbiota differs between sows with variable risk for POP, and changes in microbiota during late gestation exist between sows with differing risk. Of the 2864 sows scored during gestation week 15, 1.0%, 2.7%, and 23.4% of PS1, PS2, and PS3 sows, respectively, subsequently experienced POP. Vaginal swabs subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed differences in community composition (Bray-Curtis; P < 0.05) and individual operational taxonomic unit (OTU) comparisons between vaginal microbiota of PS1 and PS3 sows at gestation week 15. Further, differences (P < 0.05) in community composition and OTUs (Q < 0.05) were observed in PS3 sows that either did or did not subsequently experience POP. Differences in community structure (alpha diversity measurements; P < 0.05), composition (P < 0.05) and OTUs (Q < 0.05) were observed in gestation week 12 sows scored PS1 compared to week 15 sows scored PS1 or PS3, suggesting sow vaginal microbiota shifts during late gestation differently as POP risk changes. Collectively, these data demonstrate sows with greater POP risk have unique vaginal microflora, for which a better understanding could aid in development of mitigation strategies.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoë E. Kiefer ◽  
Lucas R. Koester ◽  
Lucas Showman ◽  
Jamie M. Studer ◽  
Amanda L. Chipman ◽  
...  

AbstractSow mortality attributable to pelvic organ prolapse (POP) has increased in the U.S. swine industry and continues to worsen. Two main objectives of this study were, (1) to develop a perineal scoring system that can be correlated with POP risk, and (2) identify POP risk-associated biological factors. To assess POP risk during late gestation, sows (n = 213) were scored using a newly developed perineal scoring (PS) system. Sows scored as PS1 (low), PS2 (moderate), or PS3 (high) based on POP risk. Subsequently, 1.5, 0.8, and 23.1% of sows scored PS1, PS2, or PS3, respectively, experienced POP. To identify biomarkers, serum and vaginal swabs were collected from late gestation sows differing in PS. Using GC–MS, 82 serum metabolite differences between PS1 and PS3 animals (P < 0.05) were identified. Vaginal swabs were utilized for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and differences in vaginal microbiomes between PS1 and PS3 animals were detected on a community level (P < 0.01) along with differences in abundances of 89 operational taxonomic units (P < 0.05). Collectively, these data demonstrate that sows with greater POP risk have differential serum metabolites and vaginal microflora. Additionally, an initial and novel characterization of the sow vaginal microbiome was determined.


Author(s):  
Zoë E Kiefer ◽  
Jamie M Studer ◽  
Amanda L Chipman ◽  
Malavika K Adur ◽  
Christine Mainquist-Whigham ◽  
...  

Abstract Sow mortality, as the result of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), has been increasing the last decade in the U.S. swine industry. The objective of this study was to identify potential biological markers associated with risk of POP in sows. We hypothesized that sows differing in perineal score (PS) from PS1-PS3 (PS1 - a presumed low POP risk; PS2 - a presumed moderate POP risk; and PS3 - a presumed high POP risk) would differ in circulatory biomarkers of inflammation and hormonal profiles. On gestation week 15, 2,864 individual sows were assigned a PS, and subsequently, 1.0, 2.7, and 23.4% of PS1, PS2, or PS3 sows, respectively, experienced POP. During PS assignment at days 107-116 of gestation, blood samples were collected from sows on two farms of similar genetics, feed sources, and health status. Whole blood was subjected to complete blood count (CBC) analysis (n = 212) and steroid hormones were measured in serum from a subset (n = 110) of animals assigned PS3 parity matched to PS1. Lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), haptoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and creatine kinase (CK) levels were also evaluated. Complete blood count analysis revealed decreased (P ≤ 0.05) mean platelet values (3.9%), lymphocytes (6.5%), and monocytes (7.5%) in PS3 compared to PS1 sows. Increased (P ≤ 0.02) abundance of androstenedione (13.4%), androsterone (18.2%), estrone (24.8%), and 17β-estradiol (26.2%), was observed in PS3 compared to PS1 sows. Additionally, a 25.8% increase (P = 0.04) in LBP in PS3 compared to PS1 sows was observed. Many dynamic physiological changes occur in sows during late gestation as they approach farrowing. The data presented herein demonstrate distinct differences in concentrations of circulating metabolites exists between late gestation sows at high or low risk for POP and may serve useful understanding the etiology of POP and evaluation of mitigation strategies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 811-821
Author(s):  
J. Shibayama ◽  
M. Goto ◽  
T. Kuda ◽  
M. Fukunaga ◽  
H. Takahashi ◽  
...  

To clarify the effect of rice bran (RB) and fermented RB (FRB) in a high-sucrose and low-dietary fibre diet on the gut microbiome, the in vitro bile acid-lowering capacity and caecal microbiota of ICR mice fed with 20% RB or FRB diets for two weeks were determined. The caecal microbiome was analysed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The in vitro bile acid-lowering capacity was high for FRB. In mouse experiments, triacylglycerol and total cholesterol were generally lower with FRB, although the faecal frequency was highest in mice fed with RB. The Shannon-Wiener and Simpson’s indices for alpha-diversity in the microbiome of mice fed with RB and FRB, were higher than mice fed the control diet. At the phylum level in the caecal microbiome, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were high with FRB and RB, respectively. At the operational taxonomic unit level, some bacterial groups related to diabetes and gut toxicity, such as Lachnospiraceae and Enterorhabdus mucosicola, were high for RB but not for FRB diets. These results suggest that FRB, rather than RB, intake improve the intestinal environment and blood lipid condition.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinyi Cao ◽  
Dayong Zhao ◽  
Lisa Röttjers ◽  
Karoline Faust ◽  
Hongjie Zhang

Abstract At certain nutrient concentrations, shallow freshwater lakes are generally characterized by two contrasting ecological regimes with disparate patterns of biodiversity and biogeochemical cycles: a macrophyte-dominated regime (MDR) and a phytoplankton-dominated regime (PDR).To reveal ecological mechanisms that affect bacterioplankton along the regime shift, Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene combined with a novel network clustering tool (Manta) were used to identify patterns of bacterioplankton community composition across the regime shift in Taihu Lake, China. Marked divergence in the composition and ecological assembly processes of bacterioplankton community were observed under the regime shift. The alpha diversity of bacterioplankton community was observed to consistently and continuously decrease with the regime shift from MDR to PDR, while the beta diversity presents the opposite. Moreover, as the regime shifted from MDR to PDR, the contribution of deterministic processes first decreased and then increased again closer to the PDR, most likely as a consequence of differences in nutrient concentration. The topological properties of bacterioplankton co-occurrence networks along the regime shift differed, and the co-occurrences among species changed in structure and were significantly shaped by the environmental variables along the regime transition from MDR to PDR. The divergent environmental state of the regimes with diverse nutritional status may be the most important factor that contributes to the dissimilarity of bacterioplankton community composition along the regime shift and could be represented by phosphorus concentrations as well as several indicator species.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebru Celik ◽  
Gulin Ozcan ◽  
Cansel Vatansever ◽  
Erxiati Paerhati ◽  
Mert Ahmet Kuskucu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The maintenance of vaginal microbiota is an important factor to achieve ideal pregnancy outcomes. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been shown to have potential adverse effects on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Pregnancy itself is a risk factor for the severity of COVID-19, with an increased risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, maternal morbidity, and mortality. the role of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in vaginal microbiome composition in pregnant women with COVID-19 has not yet been investigated. Therefore, we anticipate that COVID-19 may unfavorably affect the composition of the vaginal microbiota, resulting in adverse pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to describe the alterations of the composition of vaginal microbiota in pregnant women with COVID-19.Results: A prospective case-control study was conducted among 19 pregnant women with COVID-19 and 28 healthy controls matched according to the gestational week and age. The vaginal swabs were collected during the active phase of infection and consecutively, within a month after recovering from infection. In three patients, longitudinal samples before, in the course, and after infection were also obtained. The microbiome alterations were examined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We indicated that COVID-19 was associated with vaginal dysbiosis during pregnancy, which was indicated by an increased alpha diversity index. There was a significantly decrease in Firmicutes (P=0.007) and Lactobacillus (P=0.019) with an increase in Bacteroidetes (P=0.024) in the COVID-19 group. In the moderate/severe group, increased amounts of Ureaplasma and vanishing of Lactobacillus gasseri were found in women, compared to the asymptomatic or mild group (P=0.001). In longitudinal analysis, elevation of Actinobacteria with reduction of Firmicutes and Bacteroides were indicated during the active phase. Conclusions: The study revealed vaginal dysbiosis with a low abundance of Lactobacillus and an increase in Bacteroidetes in relation to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vaginal dysbiosis in COVID-19 could be a contributing factor in pregnancy adverse outcomes. Trial registration: clinicaltrials, Registered 15 November 2019, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04165252?cond=microbiota&cntry=TR&draw=3&rank=12


2020 ◽  
pp. jrheum.200551
Author(s):  
Anders Öman ◽  
Johan Dicksved ◽  
Lars Engstrand ◽  
Lillemor Berntson

Objective Changes in the composition of gut microbiota has been suggested to be associated with Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The objective in this study was to investigate if the diversity and composition of the fecal microbiota differed between children with JIA and healthy controls, and if the microbiota differed between children with JIA and their healthy siblings. Methods In this multicenter, case-control study, fecal samples were collected from 75 children with JIA and 32 healthy controls. Eight of the healthy controls were siblings to eight children with JIA and they were compared only pairwise with their siblings. The microbiota was determined using sequencing amplicons from the V3 and V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Alpha diversity, community composition of microbiota and relative abundances of taxa were compared between children with JIA and healthy unrelated controls as well as between children with JIA and healthy siblings. Results Our data revealed no significant differences in α-diversity or community composition of microbiota between children with JIA, healthy unrelated controls or healthy siblings. Analyses of relative abundances of phyla, families and genera identified trends of differing abundances of some taxa in children with JIA, in comparison with both healthy controls and healthy siblings, but none of these findings were significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. Conclusion There were no significant differences in the composition of fecal microbiota in children with JIA compared with healthy controls. The composition of microbiota in children with JIA did not differ significantly from that in their healthy siblings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Tominski ◽  
Helene Heyer ◽  
Tina Lösekann-Behrens ◽  
Sebastian Behrens ◽  
Andreas Kappler

ABSTRACTMost isolated nitrate-reducing Fe(II)-oxidizing microorganisms are mixotrophic, meaning that Fe(II) is chemically oxidized by nitrite that forms during heterotrophic denitrification, and it is debated to which extent Fe(II) is enzymatically oxidized. One exception is the chemolithoautotrophic enrichment culture KS, a consortium consisting of a dominant Fe(II) oxidizer,Gallionellaceaesp., and less abundant heterotrophic strains (e.g.,Bradyrhizobiumsp.,Nocardioidessp.). Currently, this is the only nitrate-reducing Fe(II)-oxidizing culture for which autotrophic growth has been demonstrated convincingly for many transfers over more than 2 decades. We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and physiological growth experiments to analyze the community composition and dynamics of culture KS with various electron donors and acceptors. Under autotrophic conditions, an operational taxonomic unit (OTU) related to known microaerophilic Fe(II) oxidizers within the familyGallionellaceaedominated culture KS. With acetate as an electron donor, most 16S rRNA gene sequences were affiliated withBradyrhizobiumsp.Gallionellaceaesp. not only was able to oxidize Fe(II) under autotrophic and mixotrophic conditions but also survived over several transfers of the culture on only acetate, although it then lost the ability to oxidize Fe(II).Bradyrhizobiumspp. became and remained dominant when culture KS was cultivated for only one transfer under heterotrophic conditions, even when conditions were reverted back to autotrophic in the next transfer. This study showed a dynamic microbial community in culture KS that responded to changing substrate conditions, opening up questions regarding carbon cross-feeding, metabolic flexibility of the individual strains in KS, and the mechanism of Fe(II) oxidation by a microaerophile in the absence of O2.IMPORTANCENitrate-reducing Fe(II)-oxidizing microorganisms are present in aquifers, soils, and marine and freshwater sediments. Most nitrate-reducing Fe(II) oxidizers known are mixotrophic, meaning that they need organic carbon to continuously oxidize Fe(II) and grow. In these microbes, Fe(II) was suggested to be chemically oxidized by nitrite that forms during heterotrophic denitrification, and it remains unclear whether or to what extent Fe(II) is enzymatically oxidized. In contrast, the enrichment culture KS was shown to oxidize Fe(II) autotrophically coupled to nitrate reduction. This culture contains the designated Fe(II) oxidizerGallionellaceaesp. and several heterotrophic strains (e.g.,Bradyrhizobiumsp.). We showed that culture KS is able to metabolize Fe(II) and a variety of organic substrates and is able to adapt to dynamic environmental conditions. When the community composition changed andBradyrhizobiumbecame the dominant community member, Fe(II) was still oxidized byGallionellaceaesp., even when culture KS was cultivated with acetate/nitrate [Fe(II) free] before being switched back to Fe(II)/nitrate.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Riley D Messman ◽  
Zully E Contreras-Correa ◽  
Henry A Paz ◽  
George Perry ◽  
Caleb O Lemley

Abstract The knowledge surrounding the bovine vaginal microbiota and its implications on fertility and reproductive traits remains incomplete. The objective of the current study was to characterize the bovine vaginal bacterial community and estradiol concentrations at the time of artificial insemination (AI). Brangus heifers (n = 78) underwent a 7-d Co-Synch + controlled internal drug release estrus synchronization protocol. At AI, a double-guarded uterine culture swab was used to sample the anterior vaginal tract. Immediately after swabbing the vaginal tract, blood samples were collected by coccygeal venipuncture to determine concentrations of estradiol. Heifers were retrospectively classified as pregnant (n = 29) vs. nonpregnant (n = 49) between 41 and 57 d post-AI. Additionally, heifers were classified into low (1.1 to 2.5 pg/mL; n = 21), medium (2.6 to 6.7 pg/mL; n = 30), and high (7.2 to 17.6 pg/mL; n = 27) concentration of estradiol. The vaginal bacterial community composition was determined through sequencing of the V4 region from the 16S rRNA gene using the Illumina Miseq platform. Alpha diversity was compared via ANOVA and beta diversity was compared via PERMANOVA. There were no differences in the Shannon diversity index (alpha diversity; P = 0.336) or Bray–Curtis dissimilarity (beta diversity; P = 0.744) of pregnant vs. nonpregnant heifers. Overall, bacterial community composition in heifers with high, medium, or low concentrations of estradiol did not differ (P = 0.512). While no overall compositional differences were observed, species-level differences were present within pregnancy status and estradiol concentration groups. The implications of these species-level differences are unknown, but these differences could alter the vaginal environment thereby influencing fertility and vaginal health. Therefore, species-level changes could provide better insight rather than overall microbial composition in relation to an animal’s reproductive health.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 593
Author(s):  
Shengyu Xu ◽  
Yanpeng Dong ◽  
Jiankai Shi ◽  
Zimei Li ◽  
Lianqiang Che ◽  
...  

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary lysozyme (LZM) supplementation on the vaginal microbiota, as well as the relationship between vaginal microbiota and the fecal microbiota of rectum and the reproductive performance of the sow. A total of 60 Yorkshire × Landrace sows (3–6 of parity) were arranged from day 85 of gestation to the end of lactation in a completely randomized design with three treatments (control diet, control diet + lysozyme 150 mg/kg, control diet + lysozyme 300 mg/kg). The results showed that sows fed with lysozyme increased serum interleukin-10 (IL-10, p < 0.05) on day 7 of lactation. The vaginal microbiota varied at different taxonomic levels with LZM supplementation by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The most representative changes included a decrease in Tenericutes, Streptococcus, Bacillus and increase in Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Enterococcus, and Lactobacillus (p < 0.05). There were 777 OTUs existing in both, vaginal and fecal microbiota. The addition of LZM also decreased the abundance of Tenericutes (p < 0.05) in the vagina and feces. The changes in the microbiota were correlated in some cases positively with the performance of the sow, for example, Bacillus in feces was positively correlated with the neonatal weight (p < 0.05). These results indicate that the addition of lysozyme to the diet of sow during perinatal period promote the change of vaginal bacterial community after farrowing. The variations in vaginal microbiota are also associated with the changes in the fecal microbiology of the rectum and the reproductive performance of the sow. Therefore, it is concluded that dietary supplementation with lysozyme in sows in late gestation stage until early lactation, is beneficial to establish vaginal microbiota that seems to promote maternal health and reproductive performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 111-112
Author(s):  
Zoe E Kiefer ◽  
Amanda Chipman ◽  
Lucas Showman ◽  
Aileen F Keating ◽  
Jason W Ross

Abstract Within the last decade, pelvic organ prolapse (POP) resulting in sow mortality has become an increasing concern for the U.S. swine industry, contributing approximately 21% of all sow deaths. While little is known regarding the etiology preceding POP in sows, many have proposed an association with vitamin and trace minerals abundance to POP incidence. We tested the hypothesis that sows differing in POP risk would have differences in serum trace minerals and vitamins. A perineal scoring (PS) system (PS1 - presumed low risk; PS2 - presumed moderate risk; and PS3 - presumed high risk) to assess risk for POP during late gestation was used to score 213 individual sows. Blood was collected from sows of two different farms during late gestation (days 105–115) that scored a PS3 (n = 20) and a parity matched sow scored as PS 1 (n = 16). Subsequently, 1.5, 0.8, and 23.1% of sows scored as PS1, PS2, or PS3, respectively, experienced POP. Serum was analyzed at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab for trace mineral content (Calcium, Copper, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Phosphorus, Selenium, and Zinc). Additionally, vitamin E was evaluated in serum via GC-MS. Differences (P &lt; 0.05) in copper, potassium, molybdenum, phosphorus, and selenium was observed between farms. Further a PS x Farm interaction (P = 0.06) was observed for serum copper abundance which across all farms was 12% less (P &lt; 0.04) in PS3 compared to PS1 sows. No impact on serum vitamin E was observed between PS sows. These data demonstrate sows with greater POP risk may have potential differences in serum factors although these data also underscore the importance of measuring vitamin and mineral quantities in a tissue specific manner. This project was supported by the National Pork Board and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document