Absence of a functional gut microbiome impairs host amino acid metabolism in the Pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi)

Nitrogen recycling and amino acid synthesis are two notable ways in which the gut microbiome can contribute to host metabolism, and these processes are especially important in nitrogen-limited animals. Marine elasmobranchs are nitrogen-limited as they require substantial amounts of this element to support urea-based osmoregulation. However, following antibiotic-induced depletion of the gut microbiome elasmobranchs are known to experience a significant decline in circulating urea and seem to employ compensatory nitrogen conservation strategies such as reduced urea and ammonia excretion. We hypothesized that the elasmobranch gut microbiome transforms dietary and recycled nutrients into amino acids, supporting host carbon and nitrogen balance. Here, we found that depleting the gut microbiome of Pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi) resulted in a significant reduction in the incorporation of supplemented dietary 15N into plasma amino acids, notably those linked to nitrogen handling and e..., , , # Absence of a functional gut microbiome impairs host amino acid metabolism in the Pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi)

The data package contains three datasets:

1. N_compounds.csv
2. delta15Naminoacids.csv
3. fluxdata.csv

Datasets of the recorded variables

**(1) N_compounds.csv**

This dataset contains δ15N values for bulk tissue as well as protein, free amino acids, urea, and ammonia from various dogfish tissues following either a saline or antibiotic treatment.

Variable names with descriptions:

Dogfish_ID: unique ID code for each fish from which tissues were collected.

Treatment: Either 72_Control or 72_Antibiotic, indicating whether the individual was apart of the control or antibiotic treated groups.

Tissue: the tissue that was collected and analyzed for δ15N values. ant_intest = anterior intestinal fold; mid_intest = middle intestinal fold; post_intest = posterior intestinal fold; liver = liver; plasma = plasma; muscle = white muscle.

N_component: the nitrogenous com...