Dynamic Changes in Intestinal Microorganisms and Hematological Indices in Giraffes of Different Ages, and the Effect of Diarrhea on Intestinal Microbiota

This study employed high-throughput sequencing to explore bacterial diversity and hematological variations across different age groups of giraffes, as well as the impact of diarrhea on their intestinal microbiota. Additionally, the correlation between intestinal flora and hematological indices was e...

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Main Authors: Baisheng Yu, Hangfan Li, Qiong Chen, Chuang Yang, Yongqing Guo, Baoli Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3379
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author Baisheng Yu
Hangfan Li
Qiong Chen
Chuang Yang
Yongqing Guo
Baoli Sun
author_facet Baisheng Yu
Hangfan Li
Qiong Chen
Chuang Yang
Yongqing Guo
Baoli Sun
author_sort Baisheng Yu
collection DOAJ
description This study employed high-throughput sequencing to explore bacterial diversity and hematological variations across different age groups of giraffes, as well as the impact of diarrhea on their intestinal microbiota. Additionally, the correlation between intestinal flora and hematological indices was examined for the first time. Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Proteobacteria were the predominant bacterial groups in the giraffe’s intestinal flora. The α-diversity analysis indicated significant variations in microbial diversity among giraffes of varying ages (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Furthermore, giraffes suffering from diarrhea exhibited significant alterations in the abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota at the phylum level (<i>p</i> < 0.05). At the genus level, <i>Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group</i>, <i>Monoglobus</i>, and <i>Prevotellaceae_UCG-004</i> had significant differences compared to healthy counterparts (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Hematological parameters such as lymphocyte count (Lym), red blood cell count (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), platelet count (PLT), and plateletcrit (PCT) varied significantly across different age groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05). A substantial correlation was observed between the intestinal microbiome composition and hematological parameters (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In conclusion, this study highlights significant differences in both the intestinal microbiome composition and hematological indices among giraffes of different ages. Diarrhea was found to significantly alter the abundance and composition of the intestinal microbial community. These insights provide a valuable theoretical foundation for the microbiological and hematological aspects of giraffe health management and breeding practices.
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spelling doaj-art-eadbcdcf237b4fb4a999fbfce441c48d2025-08-20T02:50:14ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-11-011423337910.3390/ani14233379Dynamic Changes in Intestinal Microorganisms and Hematological Indices in Giraffes of Different Ages, and the Effect of Diarrhea on Intestinal MicrobiotaBaisheng Yu0Hangfan Li1Qiong Chen2Chuang Yang3Yongqing Guo4Baoli Sun5College of Animal Science, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaCollege of Animal Science, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaCollege of Animal Science, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaCollege of Animal Science, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaCollege of Animal Science, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaCollege of Animal Science, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaThis study employed high-throughput sequencing to explore bacterial diversity and hematological variations across different age groups of giraffes, as well as the impact of diarrhea on their intestinal microbiota. Additionally, the correlation between intestinal flora and hematological indices was examined for the first time. Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Proteobacteria were the predominant bacterial groups in the giraffe’s intestinal flora. The α-diversity analysis indicated significant variations in microbial diversity among giraffes of varying ages (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Furthermore, giraffes suffering from diarrhea exhibited significant alterations in the abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota at the phylum level (<i>p</i> < 0.05). At the genus level, <i>Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group</i>, <i>Monoglobus</i>, and <i>Prevotellaceae_UCG-004</i> had significant differences compared to healthy counterparts (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Hematological parameters such as lymphocyte count (Lym), red blood cell count (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), platelet count (PLT), and plateletcrit (PCT) varied significantly across different age groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05). A substantial correlation was observed between the intestinal microbiome composition and hematological parameters (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In conclusion, this study highlights significant differences in both the intestinal microbiome composition and hematological indices among giraffes of different ages. Diarrhea was found to significantly alter the abundance and composition of the intestinal microbial community. These insights provide a valuable theoretical foundation for the microbiological and hematological aspects of giraffe health management and breeding practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3379giraffe (camelopardalis)intestinal microbial structuredominant microbesdiarrheahematology
spellingShingle Baisheng Yu
Hangfan Li
Qiong Chen
Chuang Yang
Yongqing Guo
Baoli Sun
Dynamic Changes in Intestinal Microorganisms and Hematological Indices in Giraffes of Different Ages, and the Effect of Diarrhea on Intestinal Microbiota
Animals
giraffe (camelopardalis)
intestinal microbial structure
dominant microbes
diarrhea
hematology
title Dynamic Changes in Intestinal Microorganisms and Hematological Indices in Giraffes of Different Ages, and the Effect of Diarrhea on Intestinal Microbiota
title_full Dynamic Changes in Intestinal Microorganisms and Hematological Indices in Giraffes of Different Ages, and the Effect of Diarrhea on Intestinal Microbiota
title_fullStr Dynamic Changes in Intestinal Microorganisms and Hematological Indices in Giraffes of Different Ages, and the Effect of Diarrhea on Intestinal Microbiota
title_full_unstemmed Dynamic Changes in Intestinal Microorganisms and Hematological Indices in Giraffes of Different Ages, and the Effect of Diarrhea on Intestinal Microbiota
title_short Dynamic Changes in Intestinal Microorganisms and Hematological Indices in Giraffes of Different Ages, and the Effect of Diarrhea on Intestinal Microbiota
title_sort dynamic changes in intestinal microorganisms and hematological indices in giraffes of different ages and the effect of diarrhea on intestinal microbiota
topic giraffe (camelopardalis)
intestinal microbial structure
dominant microbes
diarrhea
hematology
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3379
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