Dietary effects on gut microbiome

We have previously shown that mice fed a diet free of aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands have reduced levels of fecal IgA. In the current study we sought to determine if an AhR ligand-free diet alters the microbiome, and if so, if the altered microbiome contributes to the decrease in fecal IgA from mice on this diet. We also sought to identify specific commensal species that might be contributing to this effect as well as specific AhR dietary ligands that could protect against it.