Abstract
Low-birth-weight (LBW) piglets are at a high-risk for postnatal growth failure, mortality, and metabolic disorders later in life. Early-life microbial exposure is a potentially effective intervention strategy for modulating the health and metabolism of the host. Yet, it has not been well elucidated whether the gut microbiota development in LBW piglets is different from their normal littermates and its possible association with metabolite profiles. In the current study, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics was used to investigate differences in the fecal microbiota and metabolites between LBW and normal piglets during early-life, including day 3 (D3), 7 (D7), 14 (D14), 21 (D21, before weaning), and 35 (D35, after birth). Compared to their normal littermates, LBW piglets harbored low proportions of Faecalibacterium on D3, Flavonifractor on D7, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Prevotella on D21, as well as Howardella on D21 and D35. However, the abundance of Campylobacter on D7 and D21, Prevotella on D14 and D35, Oscillibacter and Moryella on D14 and D21, and Bacteroides on D21 was significantly higher in LBW piglets when compared with normal piglets. The results of the metabolomics analysis suggested that LBW significantly affected fecal metabolites involved in fatty acid metabolism (e.g., linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid), amino acid metabolism (e.g., valine, phenylalanine, and glutamic acid), as well as bile acid biosynthesis (e.g., glycocholic acid, 25-hydroxycholesterol, and chenodeoxycholic acid). Spearman correlation analysis revealed a significant negative association between Campylobacter and N1-acetylspermine on D7, Moryella and linoleic acid on D14, Prevotella and chenodeoxycholic acid on D21, and Howardella and phenylalanine on D35, respectively. Collectively, LBW piglets have a different gut bacterial community structure when compared with normal-birth-weight (NBW) piglets during early-life, especially from 7 to 21 days of age. Also, a distinctive metabolic status in LBW piglets might be partly associated with the altered intestinal microbiota. These findings may further elucidate the factors potentially associated with the impaired growth and development of LBW piglets and facilitate the development of nutritional interventions.
Highlights
Genetic selection for high-prolific sows has substantially increased litter size over the last few decades (Yuan et al, 2015)
Results of linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) at the genus level revealed that one taxon on D3 was significantly impacted by birth weight, followed by three taxa on D7, eleven taxa on D14, seventeen taxa on D21, and six taxa on D35 (Figure 4 and Supplementary Table S2)
On D7, the relative abundances of the genus Campylobacter (0.074% vs. 0.001%, P < 0.05) and Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 (0.059% vs. 0.003%, P < 0.05) were higher in LBW piglets, while a lower relative abundance of Flavonifractor (0.063% vs. 0.314%, P < 0.05) was observed in NBW piglets
Summary
Genetic selection for high-prolific sows has substantially increased litter size over the last few decades (Yuan et al, 2015). Long-term dysfunctions in vital organs are observed in LBW piglets, especially the impaired development of the GIT (Wang et al, 2008, 2014; Li et al, 2017). The gut microbiota in neonates is extremely turbulent, and it is shaped by many environmental factors, including host genetics (Goodrich et al, 2014), delivery mode (Wang et al, 2013), dietary change (Li et al, 2012; Bian et al, 2016), and feeding environment (Inman et al, 2010; Schokker et al, 2014). A dysbiosis in the gut microbial community of neonates results in a higher risk of diseases and causes short- and longlasting adverse effects on health (Foxx-Orenstein and Chey, 2012; Saavedra and Dattilo, 2012)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
