Unravelling transmission, assemblage and functions of the gut microbiota of Blattella germanica by treatment with the antibiotics vancomycin and ampicillin

In this experiment, the effect of the antibiotics vancomycin and ampicillin on the intestinal microbiota in Blattella germanica, specifically its transmission, assembly and functions, was studied using a metagenomic analysis. The adult females were treated with vancomycin or ampicillin during the adult phase in the first generation. Individuals derived from these in the second generation for each treatment with antibiotics were 1) treated with the same antibiotic but starting in the nymphal period, 2) not treated with the antibiotic, or 3) not treated with the antibiotic but supplied with feces from a population control. Samples of nymphs and adult females were taken through the two generations for each experiment. After the dissection of insects, the DNA was extracted from the hindgut and the composition and functions of the microbiota were analyzed by metagenomics.