Light at night affects gut microbial community and negatively impacts host physiology in diurnal animals: Evidence from captive zebra finches

Sep 26, 2020Microbiological research

Nighttime light changes gut bacteria and harms body functions in daytime animals: Evidence from captive zebra finches

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Abstract

Light at night (LAN) is associated with a significant increase in body mass and fat deposition in zebra finches.

Exposure to LL (no-night) and dLAN (dim light at night) resulted in increased hepatic lipid accumulation in zebra finches.
Birds under LL and dLAN exhibited altered feeding patterns, consuming food at night despite no change in overall 24-hour food intake.
A decrease in Lactobacillus bacterial richness was observed in the GIT of birds exposed to LL and dLAN compared to those under a normal light-dark cycle.
Supplementation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG improved the negative physiological effects induced by LL and dLAN in zebra finches.
Findings suggest that unnatural lighting disrupts GIT bacterial diversity and may negatively impact host metabolism.

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The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) hosts a large number of diverse microorganisms, with mutualistic interactions with the host. Here, in two separate experiments, we investigated whether light at night (LAN) would affect GIT microbiota and, in turn, the host physiology in diurnal zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Experiment I assessed the effects of no-night (LL) and dimly illuminated night (dim light at night, dLAN) on fecal microbiota diversity and host physiology of birds born and raised under 12 h photoperiod (LD; 12 h light: 12 h darkness). Under LL and dLAN, compared to LD, we found a significant increase in the body mass, subcutaneous fat deposition and hepatic accumulation of lipids. Although we found no difference in total 24 h food consumption, LL/ dLAN birds ate also at night, suggesting LAN-induced alteration in daily feeding times. Concurrently, there were marked differences in amplicon sequence and bacterial species richness between LD and LAN, with notable decline in Lactobacillus richness in birds under LL and dLAN. We attributed declined Lactobacillus population as causal (at least partially) to negative effects on the host metabolism. Therefore, in experiment II with similar protocol, birds under LL and dLAN were fed on diet with or without Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) supplement. Clearly, LGG supplement ameliorated LL- and dLAN-induced negative effects in zebra finches. These results demonstrate adverse effects of unnatural lighting on GIT bacterial diversity and host physiology, and suggest the role of GIT microbiota in the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis in response to LAN environment in diurnal animals.

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Light at night affects gut microbial community and negatively impacts host physiology in diurnal animals: Evidence from captive zebra finches

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