Regional Variation in 16S rRNA Gene Profiles of Upper Respiratory Tract Microbiome in Kazakh Horses
Anarkulov E. Bimenova Z. Kalykova A. Strochkov V. Kuzembekova G. Kenzhebekova Z. Kassymbekova S.
January-February 2026Unique Scientific Publishers
International Journal of Veterinary Science
2026#15Issue 1203 - 210 pp.
The equine upper respiratory tract microbiome (URTM) plays a pivotal role in respiratory health, yet its regional variability in relation to environmental factors remains underexplored. This study characterized and compared the URTM of Kazakh horses from three ecologically distinct regions-Pavlodar, Zhetysu, and Mangystau-using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing and a multi-layered bioinformatic approach. Alpha diversity metrics indicated significantly greater richness and evenness in Mangystau samples (P<0.05, Tukeys HSD test), suggestive of a more stable and resilient microbial community under arid climatic pressures. Beta diversity analyses revealed distinct clustering patterns aligned with regional origin, highlighting strong biogeographic structuring. Taxonomic profiling identified both core genera (e.g., Nicoletella, Streptococcus, Moraxella) and region-specific taxa, including environmental genera (Planococcus, Psychrobacter) in Mangystau and mucosa-associated genera (Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus) in Zhetysu. LEfSe analysis confirmed regionally enriched bacterial biomarkers, supporting functional adaptation to climate and ecology. Functional predictions derived from BugBase, PICRUSt2, and FAPROTAX revealed pronounced differences in metabolic and ecological capacities: Mangystau horses were enriched in stress-tolerant phenotypes and xenobiotic degradation pathways, while Pavlodar and Zhetysu horses showed greater representation of host-associated functions such as nitrogen fixation and fermentation. These findings demonstrate that regional environmental conditions exert a measurable influence on both the composition and function of the equine URTM. This study provides a foundation for microbiome-informed respiratory health monitoring and regional veterinary strategies in horses raised under extensive management systems.
16S rRNA sequencing , Equine respiratory health , Functional prediction , Geographic variation , Kazakh horses , Microbial diversity
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Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Kazakh National Agrarian Research University
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026