83 Lifelong dynamics of the swine gut microbiome: from birth to market

Abstract

Abstract Despite the recent advances in the swine gut microbiomes during different growth stages, a comprehensive longitudinal study of the lifelong dynamics of the swine gut microbiome is lacking. To fill this gap of knowledge, we selected seventeen piglets (PIC29*380) that were born on the same date from three sows. We collected a total of 274 rectal swabs during lactation (d 0, 11, 20), nursery (d 27, 33, 41, 50, 61), growing (d 76, 90, 104, 116), and finishing (d 130, 146, 159, and 174) stages. Samples were extracted using the Powersoil DNA isolation kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) and sequenced with an Illumina Miseq sequencer targeting the V4 region of the 16 S rRNA gene. Sequences were analyzed with the Deblur algorithm in the QIIME2 package. In general, alpha diversity including community richness (e.g., number of observed features, Chao1) and diversity (e.g., Shannon Index) showed an overall trend of increasing from lactation to the finishing stage (P < 0.01). Gradual and significant changes in community structures were also observed along the four growth stages (ANOSIM, R = 0.66; P < 0.01). Non-parametric permutational multivariate analysis of variance shows that main factors driving the lifelong community dynamics included age and diet. Seventeen phylum members were discovered in the lifelong pig gut microbiome with Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes being the most abundant phyla. LEfSe analysis revealed 63 bacterial features that are stage specific. By using a regressing tree based Random Forest model we identified five bacterial features that are associated with swine growth performance including features 26 (Turicibacteraceae Turicibacter), 27 (Clostridium butyricum), 18 (Clostridiaceae), 19 (Clostridium perfringens) and 4 (Clostridiaceae). Characterization of the lifelong dynamics of 17 healthy pigs from birth to market provides a foundation for gut microbiome studies focusing on swine development, health and growth performance.