Characterization and Comparison of Fecal Microbiota in Horses with Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction and Age-matched Controls

Overview

Journal J Vet Intern Med

Date 2025 Jan 24

PMID 39853825

Authors

Wenqing Wang

Justine Gibson

Sara Horsman

Deirdre Mikkelsen

Francois-Rene Bertin

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Altered gut microbiota has been associated with dopaminergic degenerative diseases in people, but studies on horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) are lacking.

Hypothesis/objectives: Investigate the effect of PPID on fecal microbiota in horses.

Animals: Nine horses with PPID and 13 age-matched control horses.

Methods: Prospective control study. Fecal samples were collected bimonthly. Microbial analysis used 16S rRNA sequencing to determine the relative abundance at genus and phylum levels, assess alpha and beta diversity and identify core microbiota.

Results: Horses with PPID had decreased relative abundances of Christensenellaceae R-7 group (median; 95% confidence interval [CI]: PPID, 2.04; 1.82-2.35 vs control, 2.54; 2.37-2.76; P = .02) and NK4A214 group (PPID, 2.21; 2.02-2.56 vs control, 2.62; 2.44-2.85; P = .05), and significant lower abundances of Romboutsia (log2FoldChange = -3.54; P = .04) and Peptococcaceae uncultured (log2FoldChange = -0.89; P = .04) by differential abundance analysis. However, the abundance of Fibrobacter (log2FoldChange = 0.74; P = .04) was significantly higher in the PPID group. A significant effect of PPID on beta diversity was observed (P = .004), whereas alpha diversity varied with months (P = .001). Seven unique genera were identified in horses with PPID and 12 in control horses.

Conclusions And Clinical Importance: The fecal microbial composition is altered in horses with PPID. These findings support the potential role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the pathogenesis of PPID.

Citing Articles

Characterization and comparison of fecal microbiota in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and age-matched controls.

Wang W, Gibson J, Horsman S, Mikkelsen D, Bertin F J Vet Intern Med. 2025; 39(1):e17288.

PMID: 39853825 PMC: 11758151. DOI: 10.1111/jvim.17288.

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