Abstract
Piglets are susceptible to infections in early life and around weaning due to rapid environmental and dietary changes. A compelling target to improve pig health in early life is diet, as it constitutes a pivotal determinant of gut microbial colonization and maturation of the host’s immune system. In the present study, we investigated how supplementation of yeast-derived β-glucans affects the gut microbiota and immune function pre- and post-weaning, and how these complex systems develop over time. From day two after birth until two weeks after weaning, piglets received yeast-derived β-glucans or a control treatment orally and were subsequently vaccinated against Salmonella Typhimurium. Faeces, digesta, blood, and tissue samples were collected to study gut microbiota composition and immune function. Overall, yeast-derived β-glucans did not affect the vaccination response, and only modest effects on faecal microbiota composition and immune parameters were observed, primarily before weaning. This study demonstrates that the pre-weaning period offers a ‘window of opportunity’ to alter the gut microbiota and immune system through diet. However, the observed changes were modest, and any long-lasting effects of yeast-derived β-glucans remain to be elucidated.
Highlights
In life and during weaning, pigs are at risk of developing diseases which compromise animal welfare and have major economic consequences for the pig industry
We investigated whether early-life supplementation of yeast-derived β-glucans affects the gut microbiota as well as the immune system
Pigs were euthanized by intravenous injection of 20% sodium pentobarbital (Euthasol®) followed by immediate exsanguination according to Good Veterinary Practice (GVP)
Summary
In life and during weaning, pigs are at risk of developing diseases which compromise animal welfare and have major economic consequences for the pig industry. Similar results have been observed for early-life antibiotic treatment in pigs [10] This implies that changes and interventions in early life, affecting either the microbiota or the immune system, may have long-lasting effects on health, welfare and performance. Several studies have investigated the development of the gut microbiota, and the effects of dietary fibres on porcine gut health and the immune function in the post-weaning phase. To the best of our knowledge, no in vivo studies have investigated the effects of yeast-derived β(1,3/1,6)-glucans (MacroGard®) on both the porcine gut microbiota and immune system in early life, despite the promising results from several in vitro studies [22,23]. We investigated whether early-life supplementation of yeast-derived β-glucans affects the gut microbiota as well as the immune system. Further developed and mature gut microbiota and immune system in early life could make the animals more resilient against invasive pathogens during the weaning phase and later in life
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