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High-Energy Supplemental Feeding Shifts Gut Microbiota Composition and Function in Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)

Peng Zheng,Weizhen Gao,Shaobo Cong,Lin Leng,Tao Wang,Lei Shi

Published 2024 in Animals

ABSTRACT

Simple Summary Dietary selection affects the survival and health of mammals under winter, high-energy supplemental feeding (SF) is one of the commonly used strategies for captive wildlife, however, how gut microbiota respond to high-energy dietary in winter remains poorly understood. 16S rRNA gene analysis was employed to determine gut microbiota in red deer (Cervus elaphus) in winter. High-energy feed affects the gut microbial composition and function in red deer. During SF, the gut microbes in red deer were enriched in microorganisms associated with butyrate and lipid metabolism, such as R. microfusus, M. intestinale, and Papillibacter cinnamivorans. These gut microbes may be involved in ameliorating obesity associated with high-energy diets. Our findings indicate effectiveness of high-energy supplementary feeding. Abstract Winter supplemental feeding (SF) is commonly used to improve the survival of captive wildlife. To investigate the impact of winter supplementation on the gut microbiota of wildlife, we assessed changes in the gut microbiota of red deer (Cervus elaphus) during the supplementary and non-supplementary feeding (NSF) groups using 16S rRNA sequencing technology. We found no significant differences in the diversity of the gut microbiota between SF and NSF except for the Simpson’s index. However, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Lentisphaerae, and Proteobacteria in the gut microbiota was significantly higher during SF. Further, genera such as Intestinimonas, Rikenella, Lawsonibacter, Muribaculum, and Papillibacter were more abundant during SF. Beta diversity analysis showed significant differences between SF and NSF. The microbes detected during SF were primarily associated with lipid metabolism, whereas those detected during NSF were linked to fiber catabolism. High-energy feed affects the gut microbial composition and function in red deer. During SF, the gut microbes in red deer were enriched in microorganisms associated with butyrate and lipid metabolism, such as R. microfusus, M. intestinale, and Papillibacter cinnamivorans. These gut microbes may be involved in ameliorating obesity associated with high-energy diets. In summary, SF is a reasonable and effective management strategy.

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