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REVIEW article

Front. Microbiol.
Sec. Systems Microbiology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1480811
This article is part of the Research Topic Emerging Trends and Advances in the Socioeconomic Applications of Beneficial Microbes View all 10 articles

The gut microbiota: an emerging driver of health, production, and reproduction success in mammals

Provisionally accepted
  • 1 School of Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
  • 2 Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
  • 3 Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
  • 4 Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    The gut microbiota, intensely intertwined with mammalian physiology, significantly impacts health, productivity, and reproductive functions. The normal microbiota interacts with the host through the following key mechanisms: acting as a protective barrier against pathogens, maintain mucosal barrier integrity, assisting in nutrient metabolism, and modulating of the immune response. Therefore, supporting growth and development of host, and providing protection against pathogens and toxic substances. The gut microbiota significantly influences brain development and behavior, as demonstrated by comprehensive findings from controlled laboratory experiments and human clinical studies. The prospects suggested that gut microbiome influence neurodevelopmental processes, modulate stress responses, and affect cognitive function through the gut-brain axis.Microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract of farm animals break down and ferment the ingested feed into nutrients, utilize to produce meat and milk. Among the beneficial by-products of gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are particularly noteworthy for their substantial role in disease prevention and the promotion of various productive aspects in mammals. The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in the reproductive hormonal systems of mammals, boosting reproductive performance in both sexes and fostering the maternal-infant connection, thereby becoming a crucial factor in sustaining mammalian existence. The gut microbiota is a critical factor influencing reproductive success and production traits in mammals. A well-balanced microbiome improves nutrient absorption and metabolic efficiency, leading to better growth rates, increased milk production, and enhanced overall health. Additionally, it regulates key reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which are essential for successful conception and pregnancy. Understanding the role of gut microbiota offers valuable insights for 3 optimizing breeding and improving production outcomes, contributing to advancements in agriculture and veterinary medicine.This study emphasizes the critical ecological roles of mammalian microbiota, highlighting their essential contributions to health, productivity, and reproductive success. By integrating human and veterinary perspectives, it demonstrates how microbial communities enhance immune function, metabolic processes, and hormonal regulation across species, offering insights that benefit both clinical and agricultural advancements.

    Keywords: Healthy microbiota, ecological function, Mammalian species, production traits, Immune Modulation

    Received: 10 Sep 2024; Accepted: 15 Oct 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Khan, Nassar, Chang, Khan, Cheng, Wang and Xiang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Maoji Cheng, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
    Zaigui Wang, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
    Xun Xiang, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.