Influence of selected factors on the Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes phyla and the Lactobacillaceae family in the digestive tract of sheep

Abstract

In this study, we used 10 healthy sheep, which gave birth to healthy twins. Stool samples were collected from mothers and their offspring 3 times during the study (0, 28 and 56 day postpartum). Milk samples were taken from the mothers at the same time. RT PCR analysis of faeces and milk was performed in order to assess the level of bacteria from the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla including the family Lactobacillaceae (phylum Firmicutes). The composition of mother's milk was also analyzed and their BCS. The data were compiled statistically. The obtained results showed that the level of the studied groups of bacteria may change due to the change of diet. Additionally, there were significant differences between lambs and mothers in the levels of the studied groups of bacteria. Analysis also shown that in the digestive system of mothers was a smaller disproportion in the level of the studied bacterial phyla than in lambs. The results also indicated the occurrence of differences in the bacterial composition at the individual level, both in ewes and their offspring. Additionally, in the conducted experiment, there were differences in the level of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes groups depending on the sex.