Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of fermented spent mushroom substrates (FSMS) on growth performance, serum biochemical, gut digestive enzyme activity, microbial community, genes expression of tight junction proteins, and volatile fatty acids in the hindgut (colon and cecum) of weaned piglets. A total of 100 weaned Yihao native pigs (native × Duroc, 50 males and 50 females) were allocated to two groups with five replicates and 10 pigs per replicate. Pigs in the control group were fed a basal diet (BD group), and the others were fed basal diets supplemented with 3% FSMS (FSMS group). Relative to the BD group, it had better results for final weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio in the FSMS group but not significant (p > 0.05), which was accompanied by improved serum triiodothyronine, immunoglobulin G, and immunoglobulin A (p < 0.05) but lower serum total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, and total triglyceride during the overall period (p < 0.05). Similarly, FSMS significantly upregulated (p < 0.05) the messenger RNA expression of duodenal tight junction proteins such as tight junction protein 1, tight junction protein 2, and occludin. Meanwhile, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, and isovaleric acid levels were increased, whereas propanoic acid was decreased (p < 0.05) in the FSMS group than the BD group. In addition, the piglets in the FSMS group changed the microbial diversity in the colon and cecum. 16S rRNA gene sequencing-based compositional analysis of the colonic and cecal microbiota showed differences in the relative abundance of bacterial phyla (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, etc.), genus (Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Roseburia, etc.), and species (Lactobacillus gasseri, Clostridium disporicum, etc.) between the BD and FSMS fed piglets. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with FSMS benefited to the intestinal mucosal barrier, immunity, and composition of the microbiota.
Highlights
Weaning is a widespread practice in modern settings of pig production
Piglets are exposed to a variety of stressors, including abrupt separation from sow and changes in diet and environment, which jointly result in a period of transient anorexia, gut mucosal atrophy, changes in intestinal microbiota composition, and weakening of immune system [1,2,3]
Due to lack of a fully functional immune system, before, 5–6-week-old and weaned piglets are highly susceptible to multitudinous stressors leading to increase pathogenic bacteria and affecting intestinal health even death [4,5,6]
Summary
Weaning is a widespread practice in modern settings of pig production. At that time, piglets are exposed to a variety of stressors, including abrupt separation from sow and changes in diet and environment, which jointly result in a period of transient anorexia, gut mucosal atrophy, changes in intestinal microbiota composition, and weakening of immune system [1,2,3]. Antibiotics have long been used to solve problems in the weaning period and to promote the growth and health of piglets [7]. Their indiscriminate use and misuse have led to antibiotic resistance and are potentially dangerous to human health [8, 9]. In this scenario, there were reports that probiotics can be used as a substitute to in-feed antibiotics [10]
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