Integrated 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing reveals the distribution of key antibiotic resistance genes in duck gut microbiota

The duck gut microbiota is essential for host health and is considered a potential reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, research on ARGs in the duck gut microbiota is limited. This study collected 120 intestinal content samples from five segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecu...

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Main Authors: Hongbo Zeng, Hua Yang, Zixian Fu, Lingyan Ma, Lizhi Lu, Tao Zeng, Yingping Xiao, Wentao Lyu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Poultry Science
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579125004481
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author Hongbo Zeng
Hua Yang
Zixian Fu
Lingyan Ma
Lizhi Lu
Tao Zeng
Yingping Xiao
Wentao Lyu
author_facet Hongbo Zeng
Hua Yang
Zixian Fu
Lingyan Ma
Lizhi Lu
Tao Zeng
Yingping Xiao
Wentao Lyu
author_sort Hongbo Zeng
collection DOAJ
description The duck gut microbiota is essential for host health and is considered a potential reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, research on ARGs in the duck gut microbiota is limited. This study collected 120 intestinal content samples from five segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and colorectum) of ducks raised under two rearing conditions (with or without an open-air swimming pool). We compiled a comprehensive inventory of microbial genes in the duck gut and conducted an analysis of microbial composition and function across all intestinal segments using 16S rRNA gene sequencing combined with metagenomics. The findings revealed that Firmicutes were the most prevalent microbes in all intestinal segments. In the foregut (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), microbial functions were mainly related to genetic information processing such as transcription, translation, replication, and glycosynthesis/gluconeogenesis. Conversely, in the hindgut (cecum and colorectum), microbial functions were primarily associated with the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and various metabolic pathways. The analysis of ARGs indicated a higher relative abundance of ARGs in the cecum and colorectum (P < 0.05) of ducks in the presence of an open-air swimming pool compared to the absence of one. Furthermore, through co-occurrence network analysis, we identified Bacteroides, Roseburia, Ruminococcus, and Blautia as potential hosts of ARGs such as tetQ, tet32, tet37, vanR, vanG, and acrB in the hindgut. This study provides new insights into the complex relationship between ARGs and the microbial community in duck intestines, laying a theoretical groundwork for understanding the transmission dynamics of ARGs in these ecosystems.
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issn 0032-5791
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series Poultry Science
spelling doaj-art-00ecdf38a3d34977ad9744c68ac42db72025-08-20T03:21:32ZengElsevierPoultry Science0032-57912025-07-01104710520610.1016/j.psj.2025.105206Integrated 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing reveals the distribution of key antibiotic resistance genes in duck gut microbiotaHongbo Zeng0Hua Yang1Zixian Fu2Lingyan Ma3Lizhi Lu4Tao Zeng5Yingping Xiao6Wentao Lyu7State Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, ChinaState Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, ChinaCollege of Animal Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, ChinaState Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, ChinaState Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, ChinaState Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, ChinaState Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, ChinaState Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China; Corresponding author.The duck gut microbiota is essential for host health and is considered a potential reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, research on ARGs in the duck gut microbiota is limited. This study collected 120 intestinal content samples from five segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and colorectum) of ducks raised under two rearing conditions (with or without an open-air swimming pool). We compiled a comprehensive inventory of microbial genes in the duck gut and conducted an analysis of microbial composition and function across all intestinal segments using 16S rRNA gene sequencing combined with metagenomics. The findings revealed that Firmicutes were the most prevalent microbes in all intestinal segments. In the foregut (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), microbial functions were mainly related to genetic information processing such as transcription, translation, replication, and glycosynthesis/gluconeogenesis. Conversely, in the hindgut (cecum and colorectum), microbial functions were primarily associated with the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and various metabolic pathways. The analysis of ARGs indicated a higher relative abundance of ARGs in the cecum and colorectum (P < 0.05) of ducks in the presence of an open-air swimming pool compared to the absence of one. Furthermore, through co-occurrence network analysis, we identified Bacteroides, Roseburia, Ruminococcus, and Blautia as potential hosts of ARGs such as tetQ, tet32, tet37, vanR, vanG, and acrB in the hindgut. This study provides new insights into the complex relationship between ARGs and the microbial community in duck intestines, laying a theoretical groundwork for understanding the transmission dynamics of ARGs in these ecosystems.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579125004481Antibiotic resistance gene16S rRNA gene sequencingMetagenomic analysisGut microbiotaDuck
spellingShingle Hongbo Zeng
Hua Yang
Zixian Fu
Lingyan Ma
Lizhi Lu
Tao Zeng
Yingping Xiao
Wentao Lyu
Integrated 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing reveals the distribution of key antibiotic resistance genes in duck gut microbiota
Poultry Science
Antibiotic resistance gene
16S rRNA gene sequencing
Metagenomic analysis
Gut microbiota
Duck
title Integrated 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing reveals the distribution of key antibiotic resistance genes in duck gut microbiota
title_full Integrated 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing reveals the distribution of key antibiotic resistance genes in duck gut microbiota
title_fullStr Integrated 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing reveals the distribution of key antibiotic resistance genes in duck gut microbiota
title_full_unstemmed Integrated 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing reveals the distribution of key antibiotic resistance genes in duck gut microbiota
title_short Integrated 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing reveals the distribution of key antibiotic resistance genes in duck gut microbiota
title_sort integrated 16s rrna and metagenomic sequencing reveals the distribution of key antibiotic resistance genes in duck gut microbiota
topic Antibiotic resistance gene
16S rRNA gene sequencing
Metagenomic analysis
Gut microbiota
Duck
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579125004481
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