Journal article
Animal farming and the oral microbiome in the Agricultural Health Study
Environmental research, Vol.281, 121964
09/15/2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121964
PMCID: PMC12215186
PMID: 40436194
Abstract
Raising farm animals imparts various exposures that may shape the human microbiome. The oral microbiome has been increasingly implicated in disease development. Animal farming has also been associated with certain chronic diseases such as cancer; however, underlying biological mechanisms are unclear. We investigated associations between raising farm animals and the oral microbiome in the Agricultural Health Study.
This analysis included 1,245 participants (865 farmers and 380 spouses) who provided oral wash specimens and information on types and numbers of specific animals raised on their farms within 2 years before sample collection. The oral microbiome was measured by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. We evaluated associations of farm animal exposures with alpha and beta diversity metrics (within- and between-sample diversity, respectively), as well as presence and relative abundance of specific bacterial genera. All analyses adjusted for potential confounders (e.g., age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption).
Overall, 63% of participants raised farm animals, most commonly cattle (46%) and hogs (20%). Those who raised a large number of hogs (≥2,000 vs. no hogs) had higher alpha diversity. Conversely, raising sheep/goats and raising larger numbers of poultry were associated with lower alpha diversity. Beta diversity was not significantly different between participants with and without any farm animals. Participants raising any farm animals had higher relative abundance of Porphyromonas and lower relative abundances of Prevotella and Ruminococcaceae UCG-014. Several genera were more likely to be absent with specific animal exposures (e.g., Capnocytophaga for cattle and sheep/goats; Corynebacterium, Dialister, Stomatobaculum, and Solobacterium for sheep/goats and poultry).
This was the largest study of farm animal exposures and the human microbiome to date. Findings suggest that raising specific farm animals may influence the oral microbiome, supporting the need to further investigate the potential role of animal farming in disease etiology.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Animal farming and the oral microbiome in the Agricultural Health Study
- Creators
- Vicky C Chang - National Cancer InstituteVaishnavi Purandare - National Cancer InstituteShilan Li - Johns Hopkins UniversityGabriella Andreotti - National Cancer InstituteXing Hua - National Cancer InstituteYunhu Wan - Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer ResearchCasey L Dagnall - National Cancer InstituteKristine Jones - National Cancer InstituteBelynda D Hicks - Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer ResearchAmy Hutchinson - Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer ResearchYukiko Yano - National Cancer InstituteKathryn R Dalton - National Institutes of HealthMikyeong Lee - National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesChristine G Parks - National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesStephanie J London - National Institutes of HealthDale P Sandler - National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesMitchell H Gail - National Cancer InstituteJianxin Shi - National Cancer InstituteJonathan N Hofmann - National Cancer InstituteRashmi Sinha - National Cancer InstituteChristian C Abnet - National Cancer InstituteEmily Vogtmann - National Cancer InstituteLaura E Beane Freeman - Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Environmental research, Vol.281, 121964
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121964
- PMID
- 40436194
- PMCID
- PMC12215186
- NLM abbreviation
- Environ Res
- ISSN
- 0013-9351
- eISSN
- 1096-0953
- Publisher
- ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE
- Grant note
- Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of HealthNational Cancer InstituteNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesNational Cancer Institute (NCI) , National Institutes of Health, under NCI: 75N910D00024
The Agricultural Health Study was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health, with funding from the National Cancer Institute (grant no. Z01 CP 010119) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (grant no. Z01 ES 049030) . This project has been funded in part with Federal funds from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) , National Institutes of Health, under NCI Contract No. 75N910D00024.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 05/26/2025
- Date published
- 09/15/2025
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984825531002771
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