Oral microbiota in cesarean-delivered puppies

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Veterinary Science
• Neonatal Health

Background:

• The host microbiota is crucial for health, with early-life colonization shaping long-term well-being.
• Alterations in the gut microbiota are linked to various diseases.
• The neonatal period is a critical window for establishing a stable microbiota.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the oral microbiota of cesarean-delivered puppies at birth and 15 days postpartum.
• To compare the puppies' oral microbiota with their mother's oral and colostrum microbiota.

Main Methods:

• 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze oral swabs from 15 French Bulldog puppies and their dams.
• Samples were collected at birth (T0) and 15 days postpartum (T15).
• Sequencing data was processed using EPI2ME and taxonomic assignment via NCBI_16S database (BLAST).

Main Results:

• Neonatal oral microbial DNA was detected at birth, indicating early colonization.
• Significant differences in oral microbiota diversity were found between puppies at T0 and T15, and between neonates at T0 and their mothers.
• By day 15, puppies' oral microbiota showed no significant diversity difference compared to mothers, suggesting convergence.

Conclusions:

• The oral microbiota of cesarean-delivered puppies undergoes rapid compositional shifts in the first 15 days.
• Colonization originates from maternal or environmental sources, with maternal contact driving convergence by day 15.
• Maternal colostrum may contribute to microbial transfer but does not significantly alter oral diversity.