Impact of maternal diet and pregnancy type on the abundance of zoonotic bacteria (Firmicutes and Proteobacteria) in sheep feces and wool

The large intestine healthy microbiota in sheep hosts pathogenic, but mainly nonpathogenic bacteria, which are essential to intestinal metabolism, contributing energy, antigens, and metabolites that positively impact host physiology, immunity, and metabolism. However, this microbiota also poses a public health risk due to fecal contamination in animal products, such as wool. This study examined how maternal diet and pregnancy type influence the relative abundance of zoonotic bacterial DNA belonging to phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in sheep feces and wool. In total, 18 Ile de France ewes, with 8 carrying twins and 10 single lambs, were divided into two groups: one fed ad libitum on naturalized pasture, the other given red clover hay plus lupine, from 45 days prepartum to 60 days postpartum. Both fecal and wool samples were collected from ewes and lambs four and three times, respectively, and analyzed via qPCR for Firmicutes (Clostridium perfringens type C, Staphylococcus aureus, St..., Data were analyzed to evaluate the effects of maternal diet (red clover vs. naturalized pasture) and pregnancy type (single vs. twin) on the relative abundance of eight bacterial types. Samples were collected at four time points (0–3). Statistical approach: Linear models with fixed factors (diet, pregnancy type, interaction). Analysis: Repeated measures two-way ANOVA in R Studio (v.4.0.3), with Bonferroni correction. Significance threshold: p ≤ 0.05.
Treatment: Eighteen Ile de France ewes (third parity, body condition score 3.0), including 8 twin-bearing and 10 single-bearing individuals, grazing either red clover or naturalized pastures.
Sample handling: Feces and wool stored in Eppendorf tubes, transported on ice, preserved with RNA Safer Stabilizer Reagent, and stored at −80 °C at the Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Universidad Austral de Chile.
Sampling lead: María Gallardo Paffetti.
, # Data from: Impact of maternal diet and pregnancy type on the abundance of zoonotic bacteria (Firmicutes and Proteobacteria) in sheep feces and wool

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.s4mw6m9jd](10.5061/dryad.s4mw6m9jd)

## Description of the data and file structure

This study examined how maternal diet and pregnancy type influence the relative abundance of zoonotic bacterial DNA belonging to phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in sheep feces and wool. In total, 18 Ile de France ewes, with 8 carrying twins and 10 single lambs, were divided into two groups: one fed *ad libitum* on naturalized pasture, the other given red clover hay plus lupine, from 45 days prepartum to 60 days postpartum.

This study was part of a postdoctoral project funded by FONDECYT grant 3160059, with additional support from FONDECYT 1150934 and FONDAP 15110027.

**Vectors included:**

* **Genetic vectors:** molecular-level information.
* **Experimental vectors:** methodological rigor.
* **Logistical vectors:** reprodu..., ,