Characterization of the equine placental microbial population in healthy pregnancies

• DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.04.022
• Publication Date: 2023-05-02T19:16:33Z
• Authors: Machteld van Heule; Hugo Fernando Mon...; Ali Bazzazan; Kirsten Scoggin; Matthew Rolston; Hossam El-Sheikh Ali; Bart C. Weimer; Barry Ball; Peter Daels; Pouya Dini
• Keywords: Retained placenta; Bacterial phyla

In spite of controversy, recent studies present evidence that a microbiome is in the human placenta. However, there limited information about potential equine placental microbiome. study, we characterized microbial population placenta (chorioallantois) healthy prepartum (280 days gestation, n = 6) and postpartum (immediately after foaling, 351 11) mares, using 16S rDNA sequencing (rDNA-seq). both groups, majority bacteria belonged to phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidota. The five most abundant genera were Bradyrhizobium, an unclassified Pseudonocardiaceae, Acinetobacter, Pantoea, Microbacteriaceae. Alpha diversity (p < 0.05) beta 0.01) significantly different between pre- samples. Additionally, abundance 7 55 was These differences suggest effect caudal reproductive tract on DNA composition, since passage through cervix vagina during normal parturition had significant influence composition found when rDNA-seq. data support hypothesis bacterial placentas opens possibility for further exploration impact fetal development pregnancy outcome.