Infant Gut Microbiota Development Is Driven by Transition to Family Foods Independent of Maternal Obesity

ABSTRACT The potential influence of maternal obesity on infant gut microbiota may occur either through vertically transmitted microbes or through the dietary habits of the family. Recent studies have suggested that the heritability of obesity may partly be caused by the transmission of “obesogenic” gut microbes. However, the findings presented here suggest that maternal obesity per se does not affect the overall composition of the gut microbiota and its development after introduction of complementary foods. Rather, progression in complementary feeding is found to be the major determinant for gut microbiota establishment. Expanding our understanding of the influence of complementary diet on the development and establishment of the gut microbiota will provide us with the knowledge to tailor a beneficial progression of our intestinal microbial community. The first years of life are paramount in establishing our endogenous gut microbiota, which is strongly affected by diet and has repeatedly been linked with obesity. However, very few studies have addressed the influence of maternal obesity on infant gut microbiota, which may occur either through vertically transmitted microbes or through the dietary habits of the family. Additionally, very little is known about the effect of diet during the complementary feeding period, which is potentially important for gut microbiota development. Here, the gut microbiotas of two different cohorts of infants, born either of a random sample of healthy mothers (n = 114), or of obese mothers (n = 113), were profiled by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Gut microbiota data were compared to breastfeeding patterns and detailed individual dietary recordings to assess effects of the complementary diet. We found that maternal obesity did not influence microbial diversity or specific taxon abundances during the complementary feeding period. Across cohorts, breastfeeding duration and composition of the complementary diet were found to be the major determinants of gut microbiota development. In both cohorts, gut microbial composition and alpha diversity were thus strongly affected by introduction of family foods with high protein and fiber contents. Specifically, intake of meats, cheeses, and Danish rye bread, rich in protein and fiber, were associated with increased alpha diversity. Our results reveal that the transition from early infant feeding to family foods is a major determinant for gut microbiota development. IMPORTANCE The potential influence of maternal obesity on infant gut microbiota may occur either through vertically transmitted microbes or through the dietary habits of the family. Recent studies have suggested that the heritability of obesity may partly be caused by the transmission of “obesogenic” gut microbes. However, the findings presented here suggest that maternal obesity per se does not affect the overall composition of the gut microbiota and its development after introduction of complementary foods. Rather, progression in complementary feeding is found to be the major determinant for gut microbiota establishment. Expanding our understanding of the influence of complementary diet on the development and establishment of the gut microbiota will provide us with the knowledge to tailor a beneficial progression of our intestinal microbial community.

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Human Milk Feeding Patterns at 6 Months of Age are a Major Determinant of Fecal Bacterial Diversity in Infants

Journal of Human Lactation ◽

10.1177/0890334420957571 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 089033442095757

Author(s):

Kameron Y. Sugino ◽

Tengfei Ma ◽

Jean M. Kerver ◽

Nigel Paneth ◽

Sarah S. Comstock

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Human Milk ◽

Beta Diversity ◽

Maternal Obesity ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Major Determinant ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Alpha And Beta Diversity ◽

Infant Diet ◽

Milk Feeding

Background Maternal pre-pregnancy obesity and human milk feeding have been associated with altered infant gut microbiota. Research aim Determine the relationships between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, human milk exposure, and their influence on the infant microbiota simultaneously. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of infants at 6 months of age ( N = 36), a time when many infants are fed a mixed diet of human milk and other foods. Fecal samples and participant information were collected from a subset of dyads enrolled in two related prospective cohorts (ARCHGUT and BABYGUT) in Michigan. Sequencing the V4 region of the 16S gene was used to analyze fecal bacterial samples collected from 6-month-old infants. Participants were grouped into four categories designated by their extent of human milk exposure (100%, 80%, 50%–80%, ≤ 20% human milk in the infant diet) and by maternal pre-pregnancy BMI category (normal, overweight, obese). Results Fewer participants with pre-pregnancy obesity were breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum compared to non-obese participants (35.7% and 81.8%, respectively). In univariate analyses, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and human milk exposure were both significantly associated with alpha and beta diversity of the infant microbiota. However, in multivariate analyses, human milk exposure accounted for 20% of the variation in alpha diversity, but pre-pregnancy BMI was not significantly associated with any form of microbiota diversity. Conclusions The proportion of the infant diet that was human milk at 6 months was the major determinant of alpha and beta diversity of the infant. Maternal obesity contributes to the gut microbiota by its association with the extent of human milk feeding.

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Environmental Influences on the Human Gut Microbiota: A Longitudinal Pilot Study

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab054_006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1151-1151

Author(s):

Marina Brown ◽

Ginger Reeser ◽

Leila Shinn ◽

Matthew Browning ◽

Andiara Schwingel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Pilot Trial ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Total Sample ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Garden Soil ◽

Control Group ◽

Soil Dna

Abstract Objectives Urbanization has reduced environmental microorganism exposure, with most Americans spending over 90% of their time indoors. However, gardening remains a viable means of exposure to soil microorganisms and harvesting of edible produce. Accordingly, we aimed to determine relations between gardening, dietary habits, and gut microbiota. Methods Gardening families (N = 10) and non-gardening (control) families (N = 9) were enrolled in a longitudinal pilot trial. Families included two adults and a child (5–18 years) for a total sample size of 54 participants. Fecal samples were collected prior to and at the end of the gardening season. Garden soil samples (n = 9) were collected prior to and at the end of the season. Diet history questionnaires were collected at the beginning and end of the study to measure Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores. Fecal and soil DNA were extracted, sequenced (V4 region of 16S rDNA gene), and analyzed using DADA2 and QIIME2. Alpha diversity measures were assessed, including Faith's phylogenetic diversity (PD) and observed operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Results Gardening families had significantly more fecal OTUs compared to control families (172.3 ± 44.2 vs. 157.0 ± 44.2, respectively; P = 0.03). Gardening families had greater (P = 0.02) Faith's PD scores and tended (P = 0.08) to have more fecal OTUs than the control group at peak gardening season. In the gardening families, fecal OTUs and Faith's PD were numerically but not statistically greater at the end of the season compared to baseline (all p’s > 0.05). Prior to the gardening season, gardening adults had greater HEI scores compared to control families (57 ± 9.1 vs. 49 ± 8.8, P = 0.03). HEI scores were not different between groups at the end of the study. Conclusions This study revealed that the fecal microbiota of families that garden differs from non-gardening families, and there are detectable changes in the fecal microbial community of gardeners and their family members over the course of the gardening season. Further research is needed to understand the role of diet in these changes and if microbes within the soil move between the soil and gastrointestinal environments. Funding Sources This research was funded by the Christopher Family Foundation Food and Family Grant Program.

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Mediation Analysis as a Means of Identifying Dietary Components That Differentially Affect the Fecal Microbiota of Infants Weaned by Modified Baby-Led and Traditional Approaches

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.00914-18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 84 (18) ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Claudia Leong ◽

Jillian J. Haszard ◽

Blair Lawley ◽

Anna Otal ◽

Rachael W. Taylor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Dietary Fiber ◽

Complementary Feeding ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

The United States ◽

16S Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Content Type ◽

Diet Records ◽

Dietary Components

ABSTRACT The introduction of “solids” (i.e., complementary foods) to the milk-only diet in early infancy affects the development of the gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to determine whether a “baby-led” approach to complementary feeding that encourages the early introduction of an adult-type diet results in alterations of the gut microbiota composition compared to traditional spoon-feeding. The Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS) study randomized 206 infants to BLISS (a modified version of baby-led weaning [BLW], the introduction of solids at 6 months of age, followed by self-feeding of family foods) or control (traditional spoon-feeding of purées) groups. Fecal microbiotas and 3-day weighed-diet records were analyzed for a subset of 74 infants at 7 and 12 months of age. The composition of the microbiota was determined by sequencing of 16S rRNA genes amplified by PCR from bulk DNA extracted from feces. Diet records were used to estimate food and dietary fiber intake. Alpha diversity (number of operational taxonomic units [OTUs]) was significantly lower in BLISS infants at 12 months of age (difference [95% confidence interval {CI}] of 31 OTUs [3.4 to 58.5]; P = 0.028), and while there were no significant differences between control and BLISS infants in relative abundances of Bifidobacteriaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Veillonellaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, Lachnospiraceae, or Ruminococcaceae at 7 or 12 months of age, OTUs representing the genus Roseburia were less prevalent in BLISS microbiotas at 12 months. Mediation models demonstrated that the intake of “fruit and vegetables” and “dietary fiber” explained 29% and 25%, respectively, of the relationship between group (BLISS versus control) and alpha diversity. IMPORTANCE The introduction of solid foods (complementary feeding or weaning) to infants leads to more-complex compositions of microbial communities (microbiota or microbiome) in the gut. In baby-led weaning (BLW), infants are given only finger foods that they can pick up and feed themselves—there is no parental spoon-feeding of puréed baby foods—and infants are encouraged to eat family meals. BLW is a new approach to infant feeding that is increasing in popularity in the United States, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Canada. We used mediation modeling, commonly used in health research but not in microbiota studies until now, to identify particular dietary components that affected the development of the infant gut microbiota.

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Differences in Gut Microbiota Following a High-Fiber Diet During Pregnancy

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa062_019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1562-1562

Author(s):

Amy Herman ◽

Matthew Taylor ◽

Holly Hull

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Gestational Weight Gain ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Fiber Intake ◽

High Fiber ◽

Gestational Weight ◽

Fiber Diet ◽

The Family ◽

High Fiber Diet

Abstract Objectives To assess the effect of a high fiber diet on changes in gut microbiota and gestational weight gain. Methods Women were block randomized to a 12-week high-fiber (HF; ≥30g/day) intervention (n = 12) or usual care (n = 8). The HF group met weekly for phone counseling with a Registered Dietitian to learn ways in increase fiber intake and given HF snacks (10-12g/day) for the first six weeks. Three 24-hour dietary recalls were performed (baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks). Body weight and stool were collected at baseline and 12 weeks. Gestational weight gain was calculated by subtracting the end study body weight from baseline. Microbial composition was determined by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene targeting the V3-V4 region using MiSeq. Taxa assignment was based on 97% similarity to the Greengenes database and rarefaction were performed with QIIME2. Three measures of alpha diversity were evaluated. T-tests evaluated differences in microbial changes between groups. Pearson's correlations related relative abundance of bacteria to gestational weight gain. Results During the study, the HF group had greater fiber intake (26.1 vs 16.7g; P = 0.02), and gained less weight (5.2 vs 6.6kg; P = 0.11). For alpha diversity, the change in number of observed species and whole tree phylogenetic diversity were different between groups (P = 0.002 and P = 0.004, respectively). No between group differences for change in Shannon Index was found. Taxa from the family Veillonellaceae and genus Dialister were different between groups (P < 0.05). Differences for families Tannerellaceae and Acidaminococcaceae and genera Parabacteroides and Phascolarctobacterium approached significance (P = 0.08-0.09). In the fiber group only, correlations between gestational weight gain and change in Bacteroides (r = -0.586, P = 0.06) and Parabacteroides (r = -0.580, P = 0.10) approached significance. Conclusions After a high-fiber intervention, pregnant women increased fiber intake and gut microbiota alpha diversity, leading to less gestational weight gain. Changes in several taxa at the family and genus level were different between the groups. A larger study is needed to further explore these relationships. Funding Sources This study was supported by a NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award.

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Association Between Gut Microbiota and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Frontiers in Endocrinology ◽

10.3389/fendo.2021.774362 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Boshen Gong ◽

Chuyuan Wang ◽

Fanrui Meng ◽

Haoyu Wang ◽

Bo Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Thyroid Disease ◽

Autoimmune Thyroid Disease ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Autoimmune Thyroid ◽

The Family ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

BackgroundAutoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is characterized by thyroid dysfunction and deficits in the autoimmune system. Growing attention has been paid toward the field of gut microbiota over the last few decades. Several recent studies have found that gut microbiota composition in patients with AITD has altered, but no studies have conducted systematic reviews on the association between gut microbiota and ATID.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases without language restrictions and conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of eight studies, including 196 patients with AITD.ResultsThe meta-analysis showed that the alpha diversity and abundance of certain gut microbiota were changed in patients with AITD compared to the controls. Chao1,the index of the microflora richness, was increased in the Hashimoto’s thyroiditis group compared to controls (SMD, 0.68, 95%CI: 0.16 to 1.20), while it was decreased in the Graves’ disease group (SMD, -0.87, 95%CI: -1.46 to -0.28). In addition, we found that some beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were decreased in the AITD group, and harmful microbiota like Bacteroides fragilis was significantly increased compared with the controls. Furthermore, the percentage of relevant abundance of other commensal bacteria such as Bacteroidetes, Bacteroides, and Lachnospiraceae was increased compared with the controls.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis indicates an association between AITD and alteration of microbiota composition at the family, genus, and species levels.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO, identifier CRD42021251557.

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Gut microbiota and metabolic health among overweight and obese individuals

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-76474-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mi-Hyun Kim ◽

Kyung Eun Yun ◽

Jimin Kim ◽

Eunkyo Park ◽

Yoosoo Chang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Health Status ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Metabolic Health ◽

Obese Adults ◽

The Family ◽

Obese Population ◽

Metabolically Healthy

Abstract Although obesity is associated with numerous diseases, the risks of disease may depend on metabolic health. Associations between the gut microbiota, obesity, and metabolic syndrome have been reported, but differences in microbiomes according to metabolic health in the obese population have not been explored in previous studies. Here, we investigated the composition of gut microbiota according to metabolic health status in obese and overweight subjects. A total of 747 overweight or obese adults were categorized by metabolic health status, and their fecal microbiota were profiled using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. We classified these adults into a metabolically healthy group (MH, N = 317) without any components of metabolic syndrome or a metabolically unhealthy group (MU, N = 430) defined as having at least one metabolic abnormality. The phylogenetic and non-phylogenetic alpha diversity for gut microbiota were lower in the MU group than the MH group, and there were significant differences in gut microbiota bacterial composition between the two groups. We found that the genus Oscillospira and the family Coriobacteriaceae were associated with good metabolic health in the overweight and obese populations. This is the first report to describe gut microbial diversity and composition in metabolically healthy and unhealthy overweight and obese individuals. Modulation of the gut microbiome may help prevent metabolic abnormalities in the obese population.

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The Food-gut Human Axis: The Effects of Diet on Gut Microbiota and Metabolome

Current Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/0929867324666170428103848 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (19) ◽

pp. 3567-3583 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Maria De Angelis ◽

Gabriella Garruti ◽

Fabio Minervini ◽

Leonilde Bonfrate ◽

Piero Portincasa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Human Health ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Human Organism ◽

Immune Functions ◽

Intestinal Microbes ◽

Dietary Components ◽

Dietary Treatments ◽

The Relationship

Gut microbiota, the largest symbiont community hosted in human organism, is emerging as a pivotal player in the relationship between dietary habits and health. Oral and, especially, intestinal microbes metabolize dietary components, affecting human health by producing harmful or beneficial metabolites, which are involved in the incidence and progression of several intestinal related and non-related diseases. Habitual diet (Western, Agrarian and Mediterranean omnivore diets, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets) drives the composition of the gut microbiota and metabolome. Within the dietary components, polymers (mainly fibers, proteins, fat and polyphenols) that are not hydrolyzed by human enzymes seem to be the main leads of the metabolic pathways of gut microbiota, which in turn directly influence the human metabolome. Specific relationships between diet and microbes, microbes and metabolites, microbes and immune functions and microbes and/or their metabolites and some human diseases are being established. Dietary treatments with fibers are the most effective to benefit the metabolome profile, by improving the synthesis of short chain fatty acids and decreasing the level of molecules, such as p-cresyl sulfate, indoxyl sulfate and trimethylamine N-oxide, involved in disease state. Based on the axis diet-microbiota-health, this review aims at describing the most recent knowledge oriented towards a profitable use of diet to provide benefits to human health, both directly and indirectly, through the activity of gut microbiota.

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Avaliação do Perfil Nutricional dos Funcionários das Equipes Estratégia Saúde da Família e Núcleo de Apoio a Saúde da Família do Município de Pedralva – MG/ Evaluation of the Nutritional Profile of Workers from the Family Health Strategy Team and the Supp

REVISTA CIÊNCIAS EM SAÚDE ◽

10.21876/rcsfmit.v4i3.223 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 12-21

Author(s):

Ana Isabel da Silva Ferreira ◽

Edna Slob

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Family Health ◽

Abdominal Circumference ◽

Nutritional Profile ◽

Health Strategy ◽

The Family ◽

Family Health Strategy ◽

The City

Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil nutricional das equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família e do Núcleo de Apoio a Saúde da Família do município de Pedralva. Materiais e métodos: Estudo descritivo, analítico, transversal, realizado com 42 profissionais que compõem as equipes Estratégias Saúde da Família (ESF) e Núcleo de Apoio a Saúde da Família (NASF) no município de Pedralva/MG. Foram coletados dados antropométricos, como peso, altura e circunferências corporais e aplicado um formulário de frequência do consumo alimentar, para avaliar os hábitos alimentares desses profissionais Resultados: Quanto ao estado nutricional, 40,5% dos funcionários se encontravam eutróficos, 40,5% com sobrepeso e 19% com obesidade. Em relação ao risco de doenças cardiovascular, analisando a circunferência abdominal, 9% não apresentou risco, 24% dos funcionários tinham risco elevado e 67%, risco muito elevado; ao se utilizar a relação cintura quadril, encontrou-se 76% dos funcionários sem risco e 24% com risco. De acordo com o inquérito alimentar, observou frequente consumo de arroz, feijão, salada, salgados e carne, pouco consumo de frutas, legumes e peixes. Conclusão: medidas preventivas devem ser tomadas, a fim de evitar que o quadro atual do perfil antropométrico dessa população se torne ainda mais comprometedor, além de garantir melhoria da qualidade de vida dos mesmos. Palavras-chave: Avaliação nutricional. Estado nutricional. Inquérito alimentar. ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the nutritional profile of the teams of the Family Health Strategy and Support Center for Family Health in the city of Pedralva. Materials and methods: descriptive, analytical, transversal study performed with 42 professionals that make up the teams of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) and the Support Center for Family Health (NASF) in the city of Pedralva/MG. Anthropometric data such as weight, height and body circumferences were collected and a questionare about the frequency of food consumption was applied to assess the dietary habits of these Professional Results: Regarding nutritional status, 40.5% of employees were normal weight, 40.5% overweight and 19% obese. Regarding the risk of cardiovascular diseases, analyzing abdominal circumference, 9% showed no risk, 24% of employees had high risk and 67%, very high risk; when using the waist-hip ratio, we found 76% of employees with no risk and 24% at risk. According to food survey observed frequent consumption of rice, beans, salad, savory meat and little consumption of fruits, vegetables and fish. Conclusion: Preventive measures should be taken to prevent the current situation of anthropometric profile of this population from becoming even more engaging and also ensure improved quality of life for them. Keywords: Nutritional evaluation. Nutritional status. Dietary survey.

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Detection of Dysbiosis and Increased Intestinal Permeability in Brazilian Patients with Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094621 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4621

Author(s):

Felipe Papa Pellizoni ◽

Aline Zazeri Leite ◽

Nathália de Campos Rodrigues ◽

Marcelo Jordão Ubaiz ◽

Marina Ignácio Gonzaga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Intestinal Permeability ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Dietary Interventions ◽

Chi Square ◽

16S Sequencing ◽

Intestinal Dysbiosis ◽

Relapsing Remitting ◽

Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Dysbiosis, associated with barrier disruption and altered gut–brain communications, has been associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study, we evaluated the gut microbiota in relapsing–remitting patients (RRMS) receiving disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and correlated these data with diet, cytokines levels, and zonulin concentrations. Stool samples were used for 16S sequencing and real-time PCR. Serum was used for cytokine determination by flow cytometry, and zonulin quantification by ELISA. Pearson’s chi-square, Mann–Whitney, and Spearman’s correlation were used for statistical analyses. We detected differences in dietary habits, as well as in the gut microbiota in RRMS patients, with predominance of Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroides vulgatus and decreased Bifidobacterium. Interleukin-6 concentrations were decreased in treated patients, and we detected an increased intestinal permeability in RRMS patients when compared with controls. We conclude that diet plays an important role in the composition of the gut microbiota, and intestinal dysbiosis, detected in RRMS patients could be involved in increased intestinal permeability and affect the clinical response to DTMs. The future goal is to predict therapeutic responses based on individual microbiome analyses (personalized medicine) and propose dietary interventions and the use of probiotics or other microbiota modulators as adjuvant therapy to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of DMTs.

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Comparative Analysis of Fecal Microbiota of Grazing Mongolian Cattle from Different Regions in Inner Mongolia, China

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11071938 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1938

Author(s):

Han Aricha ◽

Huasai Simujide ◽

Chunjie Wang ◽

Jian Zhang ◽

Wenting Lv ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Community Structure ◽

Microbial Community ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Inner Mongolia ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Composition Analysis ◽

Geographical Factors ◽

Rrna Sequencing ◽

Xilingol Grassland

Mongolian cattle from China have strong adaptability and disease resistance. We aimed to compare the gut microbiota community structure and diversity in grazing Mongolian cattle from different regions in Inner Mongolia and to elucidate the influence of geographical factors on the intestinal microbial community structure. We used high throughput 16S rRNA sequencing to analyze the fecal microbial community and diversity in samples from 60 grazing Mongolian cattle from Hulunbuir Grassland, Xilingol Grassland, and Alxa Desert. A total of 2,720,545 high-quality reads and sequences that were 1,117,505,301 bp long were obtained. Alpha diversity among the three groups showed that the gut microbial diversity in Mongolian cattle in the grasslands was significantly higher than that in the desert. The dominant phyla were Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, whereas Verrucomicrobia presented the highest abundance in the gut of cattle in the Alxa Desert. The gut bacterial communities in cattle from the grasslands versus the Alxa Desert were distinctive, and those from the grasslands were closely clustered. Community composition analysis revealed significant differences in species diversity and richness. Overall, the composition of the gut microbiota in Mongolian cattle is affected by geographical factors. Gut microbiota may play important roles in the geographical adaptations of Mongolian cattle.

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