Seasonal Variation of Gut Microbial Composition and Metabolism in Tibetan antelopes in Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve

Research on Tibetan antelopes in Qinghai Hoh Xil reveals significant seasonal variation in gut microbial composition and metabolism, which plays a crucial role in their adaptation to environmental fluctuations. The study found that while microbial diversity was higher during the cold season (XB), metabolic activity, particularly in purine and pyrimidine pathways, peaked in the warm season (DA). Using untargeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene-sequencing, scientists identified 532 metabolites and 62 enriched metabolic pathways, highlighting a strong correlation between gut microbiota shifts and seasonal metabolic changes. These findings provide critical insights for the conservation management of this endangered species.

Zhao, H., Jiang, F., Gu, H., Gao, H., Zhang, J., Zhang, M., & Zhang, T. (2023). Seasonal Variation of Gut Microbial Composition and Metabolism in Tibetan antelopes in Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve. Animals, 13(22), 3569. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13223569