The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in host metabolism, digestion, immunity, and behavior, but most studies have been conducted in laboratory settings. To validate these findings in natural conditions, we investigated the impact of population density stress on the fecal microbiota and metabolites of root voles (Microtus oeconomus) using field enclosures, 16S rRNA sequencing, and untargeted metabolomics. Fecal corticosterone metabolite (FCM) levels were significantly higher in high-density (HD) voles, confirming a strong stress response. The predominant bacterial phyla were Firmicutes_A, Bacteroidota, Firmicutes_D, and Actinobacteriota, with Lactobacillus and CAG-485 as the main genera. HD voles had higher abundances of Bacteroidota, CAG-485, Duncaniella, and Paramuribaculum, and lower abundances of Firmicutes_A, Firmicutes_D, Desulfobacterota_I, Lactobacillus, Desulfovibrio_R, and Butyribacter. Functional prediction revealed up-regulated pathways involved in antibiotic biosynthesis, D-alanine metabolism, and the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), while pathways related to amino acid biosynthesis were down-regulated. Metabolomics identified 938 and 920 differential metabolites in positive and negative ion modes, respectively, with up-regulated metabolites such as cholic acid, lithocholic acid, and succinic acid, and down-regulated metabolites like L-lysine, L-valine, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis identified 142 affected pathways, primarily related to amino acid metabolism, the citrate (TCA) cycle, bile secretion, and protein digestion. Correlation analysis revealed that Lactobacillus was negatively associated with elevated bile acids and positively with down-regulated amino acid-related metabolites. Overall, population density stress significantly reshaped the fecal microbiota and metabolic profiles of root voles, offering new insights into the ecological adaptability of small mammals.
扫码关注我们
求助内容:
应助结果提醒方式:
