Metatranscriptomics sequencing of horse gut

Gut microbes and their metabolites play a vital role in the health and host physiology, but how specific bacterial functions contribute to the exceptional athletic performance of racehorses needs to be better understood. In this study, we recruited racehorse athletes along with ordinary and non-racehorses to identify gut microbial structures and functions associated with athletic performance. We conducted gut metatranscriptomics approaches immediately after the race. This study thus offers new insights into the impact of gut microbiota on host physiological activities. It provides further rationale for targeted gut microbiome manipulation that could improve athletic performance.