Age-Related Changes in Gut Health and Behavioral Biomarkers in a Beagle Dog Population
The gut and the gut microbiome communicate with the nervous system through the gut–brain axis via neuroimmune and neuroendocrine mechanisms. Despite existing research, studies exploring this link in aging dogs are limited. This study aims to examine multiple blood and fecal biomarkers of intestinal...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/234 |
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| author | Anna Fernández-Pinteño Rachel Pilla Jan Suchodolski Emmanuelle Apper Celina Torre Anna Salas-Mani Xavier Manteca |
| author_facet | Anna Fernández-Pinteño Rachel Pilla Jan Suchodolski Emmanuelle Apper Celina Torre Anna Salas-Mani Xavier Manteca |
| author_sort | Anna Fernández-Pinteño |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The gut and the gut microbiome communicate with the nervous system through the gut–brain axis via neuroimmune and neuroendocrine mechanisms. Despite existing research, studies exploring this link in aging dogs are limited. This study aims to examine multiple blood and fecal biomarkers of intestinal health, along with various behavioral indicators based on saliva, blood, observations, and activity, in different age populations (junior: <2 y.o.; adult: 2–7 y.o.; senior: >7 y.o.) of thirty-seven Beagle dogs. In our study, <i>Bacteroides</i> were significantly higher in senior dogs. The relative abundance of <i>Faecalibacterium</i> and <i>Blautia</i> showed age-related trends, higher in senior and junior dogs, respectively. Fecal short-chain fatty acid concentration, especially acetate, increased with age, while propionate was higher in junior dogs. For the behavioral indicators we considered, blood thyroxine concentration, playing, exploring, and total activity were higher in junior dogs. The differences observed between the biomarkers of gut health and behavior, particularly those significant for the age correlations, emphasize the importance of considering age-related factors when studying the gut microbiome and behavior. However, further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms and specific pathways involved in the relationship between the studied biomarkers and age. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b31bbaaf52114ebe84c1ca6cc38c2809 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-b31bbaaf52114ebe84c1ca6cc38c28092025-01-24T13:18:12ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-01-0115223410.3390/ani15020234Age-Related Changes in Gut Health and Behavioral Biomarkers in a Beagle Dog PopulationAnna Fernández-Pinteño0Rachel Pilla1Jan Suchodolski2Emmanuelle Apper3Celina Torre4Anna Salas-Mani5Xavier Manteca6Department of Research and Development, Affinity Petcare, 08902 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, SpainGastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USAGastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USADepartment of Research and Development, Affinity Petcare, 08902 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, SpainDepartment of Research and Development, Affinity Petcare, 08902 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, SpainDepartment of Research and Development, Affinity Petcare, 08902 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, SpainSchool of Veterinary Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, SpainThe gut and the gut microbiome communicate with the nervous system through the gut–brain axis via neuroimmune and neuroendocrine mechanisms. Despite existing research, studies exploring this link in aging dogs are limited. This study aims to examine multiple blood and fecal biomarkers of intestinal health, along with various behavioral indicators based on saliva, blood, observations, and activity, in different age populations (junior: <2 y.o.; adult: 2–7 y.o.; senior: >7 y.o.) of thirty-seven Beagle dogs. In our study, <i>Bacteroides</i> were significantly higher in senior dogs. The relative abundance of <i>Faecalibacterium</i> and <i>Blautia</i> showed age-related trends, higher in senior and junior dogs, respectively. Fecal short-chain fatty acid concentration, especially acetate, increased with age, while propionate was higher in junior dogs. For the behavioral indicators we considered, blood thyroxine concentration, playing, exploring, and total activity were higher in junior dogs. The differences observed between the biomarkers of gut health and behavior, particularly those significant for the age correlations, emphasize the importance of considering age-related factors when studying the gut microbiome and behavior. However, further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms and specific pathways involved in the relationship between the studied biomarkers and age.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/234fecal microbiotabehaviorcanineaginghealthnutrition |
| spellingShingle | Anna Fernández-Pinteño Rachel Pilla Jan Suchodolski Emmanuelle Apper Celina Torre Anna Salas-Mani Xavier Manteca Age-Related Changes in Gut Health and Behavioral Biomarkers in a Beagle Dog Population Animals fecal microbiota behavior canine aging health nutrition |
| title | Age-Related Changes in Gut Health and Behavioral Biomarkers in a Beagle Dog Population |
| title_full | Age-Related Changes in Gut Health and Behavioral Biomarkers in a Beagle Dog Population |
| title_fullStr | Age-Related Changes in Gut Health and Behavioral Biomarkers in a Beagle Dog Population |
| title_full_unstemmed | Age-Related Changes in Gut Health and Behavioral Biomarkers in a Beagle Dog Population |
| title_short | Age-Related Changes in Gut Health and Behavioral Biomarkers in a Beagle Dog Population |
| title_sort | age related changes in gut health and behavioral biomarkers in a beagle dog population |
| topic | fecal microbiota behavior canine aging health nutrition |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/234 |
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