Abstract 1783 Analyzing the Gut Microbiome of Captive Polar Bears

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus), as hypercarnivorous Arctic species, serve as vital indicators of environmental change. This study aims to explore the fecal microbiome of captive polar bears, providing a basis for future comparisons with their wild counterparts. The microbial communities in the fecal samples play a crucial role in the host's health, particularly in metabolizing dietary nutrients. In the wild, polar bears exhibit dietary diversity through hunting seals, mammals, and scavenging carcasses. In captivity, their diet encompasses fortified meat-based commercial carnivore diets, fresh/frozen fish, kibble, fruits, and vegetables. Understanding the differences in these microbiomes remains understudied but holds significance for zoo management. Fecal samples from 24 individual polar bears across 10 U.S. zoos were collected under an approved IACUC protocol and the Polar Bear Species Survival Plan, then transported to our lab on ice. DNA extraction utilized the ZymoBIOMICS DNA Miniprep Kit, followed by quantification and preparation for Next-generation 16S rRNA sequencing. Real-time qPCR assessed the relative abundance of bacterial taxa, using taxon-specific primers compared to Eubacteria. Additionally, GC/EI-MS is employed for quantifying short-chain fatty acids in fecal samples. This investigation into the bacterial composition of the fecal microbiome contributes not only to zoo management and conservation but also enhances our understanding of polar bear physiology and their overall health. Our study indicates that Firmicutes were the most abundant bacterial phyla within the gut microbiome of captive polar bears. The study specifically targets major microbial taxa, emphasizing the relevance of the results for captive bear management. Importantly, it underscores the need for elucidating the links between diet, microbiome, and health.