The Gut Microbiome: Wide-ranging Impacts in the Horse | Episode 49
By Tim Worden & Nicole Lakin of the IGNITE
How is the gut microbiome related to equine asthma? What causes gut dysbiosis and what can be done to ‘correct’ it? In this episode, we have a fascinating discussion with Dr. Marcio Costa on all things gut and the impact that the bacterial content in the GI system can have on the rest of the body.
Episode 49 starts with a discussion of some of Marcio’s recent research examining the link between the gut microbiome and equine asthma. He and his collaborators found that horses with equine asthma have a different microbiome than healthy horses. Marcio discusses some potential reasons for this finding, including the hygiene hypothesis, and mechanisms by which the gut-lung axis could work.
We also cover the impact that antibiotics can have on the gut microbiome, especially in young horses, how fecal transplants can work to address gut dysbiosis, and some of the other exciting areas of research in the field (including potential performance impacts of certain gut bacteria).
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About the Expert
After graduating as a DVM in Brazil, Dr Marcio Costa moved to Guelph, Ontario to complete his residency in Large Animal Internal Medicine and a PhD, in which he pioneered the use of DNA sequencing to characterize the intestinal microbiota of horses. Currently, he is an Associate Professor at the University of Montreal, working on methods of microbiota manipulation to treat diseases and improve animal performance.
If you enjoyed this podcast episode, be sure to check out our in-depth video content in the Sport Horse Series Video Library!
Episode Links
Hosts: Nicole Lakin and Dr. Tim Worden of the IGNITE
Podcast Website: Sport Horse Podcast
Presenting Sponsor: IGNITE
Guest: Dr Marcio Costa
Link: The Microbiota and Equine Asthma: An Integrative View of the Gut-Lung Axis
