Gut Microbiota Is Linked to Female Olfactory Preference in Giant Pandas

Mate choice can vary with internal condition, but whether gut microbial variation is associated with female mate-choice-related olfactory preferences remains poorly understood. In this study, we tested whether dietary dried yeast supplementation was associated with changes in gut microbiota and odor preference in captive female giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Females in the dried yeast supplementation group received 10 g of dried yeast tablets daily for five consecutive days, while control females received the same diet without supplementation. Female olfactory preferences for urine from adult and senile males were assessed using odor preference tests before and after supplementation, and fecal samples were analyzed to characterize gut bacterial communities. Dried yeast supplementation altered the relative abundances of several gut bacterial taxa. Putatively beneficial taxa, including Muribaculaceae and Weissella cibaria, increased, whereas potentially pathogenic or opportunistic taxa, including Enterobacteriaceae and Campylobacter, decreased (all adjusted p < 0.05). Before supplementation, females showed no significant preference between adult and senile male urine. After supplementation, females showed a significant preference for adult male urine. Several gut bacterial genera were significantly associated with female exploratory behavior. These results suggest a possible association between dried yeast supplementation, gut microbial shifts, and female olfactory responses to male urinary cues.