Objective To explore the differences in intestinal flora between guide dogs and culling dogs, and to analyze the characteristic differential flora between the two.
Methods The fresh fecal samples of 16 guide dogs and 10 culled dogs were collected and divided into Labrador male guide dogs (GD-ML) and culled dogs (ED-ML), Labrador retrievers according to dog breed and sex. Female guide dogs (GD-FL) and knockout dogs (ED-FL), golden retriever male guide dogs (GD-MG) and knockout dogs (ED-MG), from which 9 guide dogs and 4 knockouts were randomly selected Dogs were divided into guide dog group (GD) and elimination dog group (ED), and were divided into 4 groups. The total DNA of fecal samples was extracted, and the PCR-DGGE technique was used to obtain the intestinal flora map. The difference analysis of each pairing was carried out by using relevant software and statistical methods.
Results The results of cluster analysis showed that GD and ED, GD-ML and ED-ML, GD-FL, ED-FL and GD-MG were all classified into one category, indicating that the intestinal flora between guide dogs and culling dogs has a difference. The results of intestinal flora diversity, richness and evenness analysis showed that there were differences in the diversity index, richness index and evenness index between each two paired groups, but the differences were not statistically significant. The results of differential band sequencing analysis showed that: compared with ED, CD Megamonas funiformis YIT 11815 strains increased; compared with ED-ML, GD-ML Succinatimonas hippei YIT 12066, Lactobacillus vaginalis DSM 5837, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii A2- 165 strains increased, Collinsella aerofaciens ATCC 25986 and Prevotella copri DSM 18205 strains decreased; compared with ED-FL., GD-FL Ruminococcus gnavus AGR2154, Fusobacterium russii ATCC 25533 strains decreased; compared with ED-MG, GD-MG Tropheryma whipplei str.Twist strains increased.
Conclusion This study found that there are differences in the intestinal flora of guide dogs and knockout dogs. Further research on the different flora in the future may help to assist the early screening of guide dogs.