Comparative Analysis of Gut Microbiota Composition in Yaks Across Different Geographical Region

Background: Despite the significance of gut microbiota in in determining the health and adaptability of the host, limited information exists regarding the influence of diverse geographic conditions on the intestinal microbiota of yaks. The study aimed at undertaking comprehensive comparison of microbiota composition in yaks originating from distinct geographic regions. Methods: 15 fecal samples were collected from yaks inhabiting 5 regions in China: Madoi, Nagqu and Deqin Shangri-la, Lhasa and Yushu. Through rigorous high-throughput sequencing analysis, the alpha diversity using metrics such as Shannon, ACE and Chao indices were assessed. Result: Notably, the Shangri-la samples exhibited the highest alpha diversity. Principal coordinate analysis revealed substantial variations in the composition of the intestinal microbiota across different regions. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes emerged as the dominant phyla, with Ruminococcaceae being the most abundant family. Particularly, the genus Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 demonstrated prominence, exhibiting higher abundance in Yushu samples compared to others. However, intriguingly, the predicted functional gene composition of the gut microbiota exhibited remarkable similarity across diverse geographical regions.