Early socialization and environmental enrichment of lactating piglets affects the caecal microbiota and metabolomic response after weaning

M Saladrigas-García,P Llonch,P Vergara,P Nolis,Y Ramayo-Caldas,H L Ko,S M Martín-Orúe,J F Pérez,S Traserra,M D’Angelo,J M Folch

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-85460-7

M Saladrigas-García, P Llonch + Show 9 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85460-7

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the possible impact of early socialization and an enriched neonatal environment to improve adaptation of piglets to weaning. We hypothesized that changes in the microbiota colonization process and in their metabolic response and intestinal functionality could help the animals face weaning stress. A total of 48 sows and their litters were allotted into a control (CTR) or an enriched treatment (ENR), in which piglets from two adjacent pens were combined and enriched with toys. The pattern of caecal microbial colonization, the jejunal gene expression, the serum metabolome and the intestinal physiology of the piglets were assessed before (-2 d) and after weaning (+ 3d). A differential ordination of caecal microbiota was observed after weaning. Serum metabolome suggested a reduced energetic metabolism in ENR animals, as evidenced by shifts in triglycerides and fatty acids, VLDL/LDL and creatine regions. The TLR2 gene showed to be downregulated in the jejunum of ENR pigs after weaning. The integration of gene expression, metabolome and microbiota datasets confirmed that differences between barren and enriched neonatal environments were evident only after weaning. Our results suggest that improvements in adaptation to weaning could be mediated by a better response to the post-weaning stress.

Highlights

The aim of this study was to determine the possible impact of early socialization and an enriched neonatal environment to improve adaptation of piglets to weaning
A trend for an increased average daily gain (ADG) was observed in enriched treatment (ENR) piglets during the nursery to fattening period (d69-79; P = 0.060)
When analysing ADG from birth until market weight (90 kg), no differences were found between CTR or ENR piglets the slaughter age for ENR piglets was lower than for CTR piglets (194.4 ± 1.0 vs. 197.7 ± 1.3 days (P = 0.080)) suggesting a potentially improved long-term growth performance due to enrichment

Summary

Introduction

The aim of this study was to determine the possible impact of early socialization and an enriched neonatal environment to improve adaptation of piglets to weaning. Keeping the sows and their litters individualized during the suckling period, might limit the microbiota exchange between adult sows and lead to a poorer microbial exposure for their piglets This is relevant considering that the intestinal microbiota of new-born animals has been demonstrated to play a fundamental role in the development of intestinal function and the innate immune s ystem[8]. It was hypothesized that combining early socialization and environmental enrichment could improve the early intestinal colonization of suckling piglets and their adaptation to the stress of weaning contributing all together to reduce its negative impact on intestinal health. The aim of the present study was to determine the combined effects of early socialization and neonatal enriched environment during lactation on the pattern of caecal microbial colonization, the jejunal gene expression, the serum metabolome and the intestinal physiology of the piglets before and after weaning and investigate the potential association with the adaptive response at weaning

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