Metabolomic LC-MS/MS analyses and meta 16S rRNA gene analyses on cecal fecesof Japanese rock ptarmigans reveal fundamental differences between semi-wild and captiveraised individuals

摘要

conservation of Japanese rock ptarmigans began in 2015 with theaim of reintroducing artificially raised birds into their original habitat. However, thecurrent raising method in captivity seems insufficient in terms of the survivability ofartificially raised birds in natural conditions. Feeding management is one potentialreason for such insufficiency. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of thehydrophilic metabolites by LC-MS/MS for the cecal feces of Japanese rock ptarmigans under and conservation to reveal their gutchemical environment. We also analyzed the developmental processes of cecal microbiomesboth semi-wild and captive individuals.Metabolites of nucleic acid were rich in the individuals, andfree amino acids were rich in the individuals. The differences inthe microbiome composition between and individuals were also pronounced; major genera of individualswere not detected or few in individuals. The alpha diversity ofthe cecal microbiome of semi-wild chicks at 1 week of age was almost the same as that oftheir hens, while it was very low in captive individuals. Sub-therapeutic use ofoxytetracycline, a diet rich in protein and energy, and isolation from adult birds areconsidered to be causes for these great differences in gut chemical and microbiologicalenvironment between and individuals.