Colonic Bacterial Composition in Aged CD-1 Mice Fed Diets Varying in Fat Quality is Sex-dependent
Conference Year
January 2019
Abstract
Evidence suggests that sex influences the effect of diet on the gut bacterial composition, yet, no studies have been performed assessing dietary fat quality (i.e., fatty acid composition) in this context. This study examined the effect of dietary fat quality on colonic bacterial composition in an aged, genetically-diverse mouse population. CD-1 mice were fed isoenergetic diets consisting of (1) control fat (CO; “Western-style” fat blend), (2) CO supplemented with 30% fish oil, (3) CO supplemented with 30% dairy fat, or (4) CO supplemented with 30% echium oil. Fecal samples were collected at mid-life and aged (reproductively senescent) time points. In aged males fed dairy fat, the relative abundance of Firmicutes was lower while the relative abundance of Bacteriodetes was greater compared to mid-life. The number of observed genera was greater in aged females fed echium oil but lower in aged males fed control fat compared to mid-life. In aged mice fed fish oil, alpha diversity was greater in females, but lower in males. At the OTU level, 73 bacterial taxa were differentially expressed in both males and females. In conclusion, sex is a critical factor in colonic bacterial composition of an aged, genetically-heterogenous population consuming diets varying in fat quality.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Jana Kraft
Secondary Mentor Name
Thomas L. Jetton
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
Korin Eckstrom, Thomas L. Jetton, Jana Kraft
Status
Graduate
Student College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program/Major
Animal, Nutrition and Food Sciences
Primary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Secondary Research Category
Health Sciences
Colonic Bacterial Composition in Aged CD-1 Mice Fed Diets Varying in Fat Quality is Sex-dependent
Evidence suggests that sex influences the effect of diet on the gut bacterial composition, yet, no studies have been performed assessing dietary fat quality (i.e., fatty acid composition) in this context. This study examined the effect of dietary fat quality on colonic bacterial composition in an aged, genetically-diverse mouse population. CD-1 mice were fed isoenergetic diets consisting of (1) control fat (CO; “Western-style” fat blend), (2) CO supplemented with 30% fish oil, (3) CO supplemented with 30% dairy fat, or (4) CO supplemented with 30% echium oil. Fecal samples were collected at mid-life and aged (reproductively senescent) time points. In aged males fed dairy fat, the relative abundance of Firmicutes was lower while the relative abundance of Bacteriodetes was greater compared to mid-life. The number of observed genera was greater in aged females fed echium oil but lower in aged males fed control fat compared to mid-life. In aged mice fed fish oil, alpha diversity was greater in females, but lower in males. At the OTU level, 73 bacterial taxa were differentially expressed in both males and females. In conclusion, sex is a critical factor in colonic bacterial composition of an aged, genetically-heterogenous population consuming diets varying in fat quality.