LAUSR

BACKGROUND As major stress hormones, glucocorticoids (GCs) can directly or indirectly affect the intestinal microflora, although few studies have focused on changes in the composition of the intestinal microflora. In this study, rabbits were randomly divided into two groups, gavage administration with saline, and the same doses of dexamethasone (DEX): 1 mg kg-1 . Seven days later, the microbial diversity of the jejunum contents was analyzed. RESULTS The gut microflora richness and diversity had no significant difference between the two groups. The proportions of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the most abundant in the jejunum of meat rabbits. DEX-injected led to change the structure of the gut microflora composition and we found that there were six biomarkers with LDA score (Firmicutes, Caproiciproducens, Clostridiales, Clostridia, Psychrobacter, and Psychrobacter_faecalis), moreover, the results of this study provide new insight into alleviating the effects of stress on meat rabbits. CONCLUSION It was concluded that glucocorticoids caused changes in the composition of intestinal microflora. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.