Longitudinal gut microbiota dynamics in Antarctic research mission crews
A prolonged stay at Antarctic research stations presents unique challenges because of the extreme environmental conditions, restricted diets, and cold temperatures, which can affect the gut microbiota, an aspect related to host health. However, the effects of the Antarctic environment on the gut microbiota remain uncertain because of the limited number of study participants and short study durations. In this study, we analyzed 467 fecal samples collected longitudinally from 48 participants who stayed at Antarctic stations for up to 16 months. Before departing to the Antarctic bases, male participants exhibited three distinct types of gut microbiota, which were differentially altered during and after the stay, depending on the pre-existing microbiota type. Prevotella-dominant microbiota was more susceptible to environmental changes, including the diet, compared with Bacteroides-dominant microbiota. Although the dominant genera in the gut microbiota were stable across all microbiota types, minor genera with high variability could mediate changes in the microbiota. Sharing diets and having frequent contact resulted in cohabitation effects among genetically unrelated participants in the extremely isolated Antarctic environment. The taxonomic composition was altered while staying at Antarctic bases based on the environment; however, the predicted functions of the gut microbiota were relatively stable over time. Overall, this study shows the impact of staying in remote Antarctic stations on the gut microbiota and indicates its alteration based on intrinsic microbiota prior to the mission.