Rare gut microbiota associated with breeding success, hormone metabolites and ovarian cycle phase in the critically endangered eastern black rhino.

摘要: Background Host microbiomes play a role in hormone production and subsequent fertility humans, but this is less well understood non-model organisms. This of particular relevance to species zoo-based conservation breeding programmes, as relationships between host microbiome composition reproductive output may allow for the development microbial augmentation strategies improve success. Here, we characterise faecal bacterial communities non-breeding eastern black rhino (Diceros bicornis michaeli) using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing quantify progestagen glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations through enzyme immunoassays identify such relationships.