An ambient temperature collection and stabilization strategy for canine microbiota studies

Area of Science:

• Veterinary microbiology
• Microbiome research
• Animal health diagnostics

Background:

• The canine fecal microbiome plays a role in health and disease.
• Accurate microbiome analysis relies on sample integrity.
• Storage conditions can significantly impact fecal sample stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a stabilization device for preserving canine fecal samples.
• To assess the impact of various storage conditions on fecal microbiota.
• To determine the reliability of microbiome data from stored samples.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of stabilized and unstabilized canine fecal samples.
• Storage under various conditions: room temperature, 37°C, 50°C, and freeze-thaw cycles.
• Analysis of alpha and beta diversity and bacterial phyla/genera abundance.

Main Results:

• Stabilized samples showed no significant changes in diversity or abundance.
• Unstabilized samples at room temperature exhibited altered alpha diversity.
• Bacterial phyla and genera abundance changed in unstabilized samples stored at room temperature.

Conclusions:

• Sample storage method is critical for canine fecal microbiome studies.
• The stabilization device effectively preserves microbial profile integrity.
• This device is valuable for off-site sample collection and transport, especially with temperature fluctuations.