Alterations in the Blood Parameters and Fecal Microbiota and Metabolites during Pregnant and Lactating Stages in Bama Mini Pigs as a Model.

Cui Ma,Md. Abul Kalam Azad,QianKun Gao,XiangFeng Kong,WangHong Zhang,Yaoyao Xia

doi:10.1155/2020/8829072

Abstract

This study was conducted to analyze plasma reproductive hormone and biochemical parameter changes, as well as fecal microbiota composition and metabolites in sows, at different pregnancy and lactation stages, using Bama mini pig as an experimental animal model. We found that plasma prolactin (PRL), progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estrogen levels decreased from day 45 to day 105 of pregnancy. Plasma total protein and albumin levels were lower in pregnant sows, while glucose, urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, as well as fecal acetate, butyrate, valerate, total short-chain fatty acids, skatole, and tyramine levels, were higher in lactating sows. Interestingly, the lactating sows showed lower α-diversity and Spirochaetes and Verrucomicrobia relative abundances, while pregnant sows showed a higher Proteobacteria relative abundance. Notably, the Akkermansia relative abundance was highest on day 7 of lactation. Spearman analysis showed a positive correlation between plasma triglyceride and cholinesterase levels and Akkermansia and Streptococcus relative abundances. Moreover, Oscillospira and Desulfovibrio relative abundances were also positively correlated with plasma FSH, LH, and E2 levels, as well as PRL and LH with Bacteroides. Collectively, plasma reproductive hormones, biochemical parameters, and fecal microbiota composition and metabolite levels could alter along with pregnancy and lactation, which might contribute to the growth and development demands of fetuses and newborns.

Highlights

Pregnancy and lactation are extremely complex physiological processes during which a variety of systemic changes occur, including body weight, blood hormones, and fecal metabolites fluctuations, as well as immune conditions [1, 2]
Accumulating evidences demonstrate that gut microbiota governs host metabolism, and its composition varies in hosts in different physiological states [4, 5]
The gut microbiota changes dramatically from the first to the third trimesters of pregnancy [4]; the intestinal microbiota composition is dynamic in lactating mammals [7]

Summary

Introduction

Pregnancy and lactation are extremely complex physiological processes during which a variety of systemic changes occur, including body weight, blood hormones, and fecal metabolites fluctuations, as well as immune conditions [1, 2]. It is not surprising that the maternal intestinal microbiota shifts dramatically during pregancy and lactation. Accumulating evidences demonstrate that gut microbiota governs host metabolism, and its composition varies in hosts in different physiological states [4, 5]. It has been well established that the gut microbiota composition is inconsistent in mammals during pregnancy [4, 6]. The gut microbiota changes dramatically from the first to the third trimesters of pregnancy (e.g., the increased Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria relative abundances and beta diversity and reduced individual richness) [4]; the intestinal microbiota composition is dynamic in lactating mammals [7]. The intestinal microbiota variation or difference in the composition during pregnancy and lactation remains poorly understood

Methods

Results

Conclusion