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Gut microbiota promote early-life digestive function in songbirds
Brian K Trevelline1,2,3, Jennifer L Houtz2,4, Catherine R Andreadis2,5
1Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University; Ithaca, 14850, USA.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|July 17, 2026
Summary
Gut microbiota colonization is essential for digestive development and function in House sparrows. Introducing gut microbes significantly enhanced intestinal development and organ growth in young birds.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Developmental Biology
- Avian Biology
Background:
- The role of gut microbial communities in vertebrate development and fitness is not well understood, especially in non-model organisms.
- Investigating these microbial influences is crucial for understanding host-microbe interactions and their impact on host phenotypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the critical role of gut microbiota in the digestive development and function of the House sparrow (Passer domesticus), a non-model organism.
- To establish sterile rearing techniques for non-model oviparous vertebrates.
Main Methods:
- House sparrow nestlings were raised under sterile (axenic) conditions.
- Nestlings were then conventionalized with microbiota from adult sparrows and compared to axenic controls.
- Digestive tract morphology, organ growth, and circulating bile acid levels were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Conventionalization with gut microbiota significantly increased villus length, crypt depth, goblet cell density, and mucosal thickness in the small intestine.
- Conventionalized nestlings showed increased growth of digestive organs and elevated circulating bile acid levels, including bacterial metabolites.
- These findings highlight the crucial role of microbial colonization in digestive system maturation.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota colonization is critical for the proper development and function of the digestive tract in House sparrows.
- The study establishes practical axenic methods for studying non-model oviparous vertebrates.
- These findings provide insights into host-microbe interactions and their impact on vertebrate phenotypes.
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