First discovery: the active microbiome has been colonized in the intestine of sheep fetus

Lamb fetal gut microbial composition Image courtesy of Feed Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Correlation between gut microbes and metabolites in lamb fetus.

According to Diao Qiyu, a researcher of the team, gastrointestinal microbes are the guarantee for ruminants such as cattle and sheep to digest forage, build an immune system, and promote growth and development.

The team’s Ph.

The results confirmed that the lamb had colonized the active microbiome in the gut before birth.

Through metabolomics analysis, the researchers detected microbial-specific metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, deoxynojirimycin, mitomycin, and tobramycin, in the intestines of sheep fetuses, confirming that these microorganisms have metabolic activity.

This study provides direct evidence for the first time in the world, proving that there is an active microbiome in the gut of lambs before birth, and provides a basis for the colonization of fetal gut microbes from the uterus.

The research was jointly funded by the National Key Research and Development Program, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the central public welfare basic scientific research business expenses.

Related paper information: doi.