Expertise
Embracing the animal microbiome
The Wageningen University & Research 2024 Dies Natalis entitled ‘From globe to gut’ on March 8, addressed the key role microbiomes play in societal challenges. For example human and animal health, sustainable food production and environmental pollution. Our research has shown the importance of the animal microbiome in (gut) health and welfare, as well as the relationship of the microbiome and host genetics in methane production of dairy cattle.
The (animal) microbiome, what is it?
The microbiome is the community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, that occupy a particular environment. Like humans, animals also have microbiomes, for example on their skin, oral cavity, lung, and gut. Especially, the gut has been studied which has shown to be an important site for the microbiome, as resident microorganisms can help in degradation of food ingredients, stimulate (gut) development, and contribute to health.
Important factors that are associated with (gut) microbiome composition differences of animals are: age, breed, gut region, maternal factors, sex, nutrition, housing, hygiene, medication, temperature, litter, and (geographical) location. For sustainable livestock production, gut health is a prerequisite, where the gut microbiota can be leveraged.
What is the relation of animal-human microbiomes in health?
Some microbial species are shared between animals and humans, with certain ones classified as pathogens. These can lead to diseases affecting the airway, intestine, urinary tract, mammary glands or immune system, resulting in inflammation and alterations to the microbiome. Microbes, both beneficial and harmful, coexist within specific ecosystems. When an opportunity arises, pathogens can trigger an immune response in the host, consequently causing a shift in the composition of the microbiome.
When bacteria cause infection or disease, antibiotics may be administered to inhibit growth and/or kill microorganisms. However, some pathogens have evolved the ability to survive exposure to antimicrobial agents, leading to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Studying the animal-human microbiome relation is important. Understanding how microbes interact can help develop strategies against AMR.
What microbiome questions do we help answer?
Animal microbiome studies at Wageningen University & Research are conducted in different research fields, namely:
- Human and animal health
- Sustainable food systems
- Biodiversity and resilient ecosystems
For each of these fields, one can think of studies that show an effect of a pathogen or infections, vaccination, nutrition (including feed ingredients, additives, prebiotics and probiotics), breeding and environment, such as play material or air filters.
Our main species of interest for primary production are (dairy) cattle, pigs, and poultry. We also have experience with sheep, goats, mice, dogs, cats, guinea pigs and ferrets.
Find out more about our animal microbiome research
News
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S. suis in tonsil-associated microbiome of piglets
- Metagenomic sequencing of the tonsil-associated microbiome of piglets revealed that both pathogenic and commensal Streptococcus suis are carried in piglets on many farms. “This poses a risk for further evolution of the bacteria”, says Professor Jerry Wells of the chair group Host-Microbe Interactomics of Wageningen University & Research. The results of the research were presented on a poster in connection with the University Dies Natalis. -
Over 400,000 euros for humane research on equine digestive system
- Bacin2DLiver is to receive almost half a million euros in funding through the Dutch Research Council’s (NWO) Open Technology Programme. This research programme, headed by Wouter Hendriks, will deploy different technologies to humanely study disrupted intestinal flora in horses. -
Composition goat milk microbiota is variable
- For a research project by Science Shop of Wageningen University & Research on the initiative of Doetie’s Geiten and the Dutch Rare Breed Survival Trust, milk samples from ten producers were analysed to uncover the variation in types of bacteria in the fresh raw milk. Specifically, the presence of lactic acid-producing bacteria in the raw milk was examined, because a hypothesis is that the these bacteria, desired as starter for cheese manufacturing, are more present in small-scale farms due to their farming system. However, this was not confirmed in the study. -
More diverse caecal microbiota decreases colonisation by ESBL E. coli
- Broiler chickens may be protected at early ages from colonisation by ESBL-producing E. coli through a diverse microbiota. This is concluded based on a recent study on the development of ESBLs in the caecal microbiota of broilers in Dutch commercial flocks. It is the first study following the microbiota development and ESBL-colonisation during a full production round on a commercial farm. -
Potential of fecal metabolites as biomarkers for pig health
- Sanitary conditions alter the composition of the microbiome in pigs. “The effect of sanitary conditions in relation to health status, confirms that those conditions determine the fecal metabolites in growing pigs. Some of these metabolites can potentially be used as ‘non-invasive’ biomarkers of the immune status of the animals”, says Dirkjan Schokker of Wageningen Bioveterinary Research based on a recent study. -
Researchers mobilise to combat antimicrobial resistance
- How to prevent bacterial infections and reduce the need for antibiotics? Researchers from Wageningen University & Research, universities in Denmark and the United States are joining forces in a new project: PIG-PARADIGM. The Novo Nordisk Foundation is funding the project with 20.1 million euros.
Showcase
Projects
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Leveraging the microbiome to improve animal health
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Microbiome programme
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Relationship between microbiome and genetics
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Microbiome and the health of animals
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Development of next-generation probiotics to counteract infectious diseases in oyster aquaculture
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Nutritional epigenetic programming of gut mucosal health in first-feeding fish
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Microbiome in relation to CH4 and NH3 emissions
