Oral antibiotics reduce voluntary exercise behavior in athletic mice

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Behavioral Science
• Animal Science

Background:

• The gut microbiome impacts host physiology and behavior.
• Voluntary exercise is influenced by the gut microbiome, but this link is understudied.
• High Runner (HR) mice, selectively bred for high voluntary exercise, exhibit distinct physiological traits compared to control (C) mice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of the gut microbiome in the high voluntary exercise phenotype of HR mice.
• To determine if altering the gut microbiome affects exercise behavior.

Main Methods:

• HR and C mice were established from a selection experiment.
• Mice were given wheel access to achieve a running plateau.
• Broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered for 10 days to assess microbiome impact.
• Running distance, body mass, and food consumption were monitored.

Main Results:

• Antibiotic treatment significantly reduced daily wheel-running distance by 21% in HR mice but not in C mice.
• No significant changes in body mass or food consumption were observed in either group.
• Running performance in HR mice did not recover after antibiotic cessation.

Conclusions:

• The gut microbiome is a crucial component of the high-running phenotype in HR mice.
• Targeting the gut microbiome may offer novel strategies to modulate exercise behavior.
• These findings highlight the intricate connection between gut microbiota and physical activity.