Mode of delivery and early nutrition modulate microbial colonization and fermentation products in the neonatal piglet

Abstract

Herein, the hypothesis that delivery route and nutrition would interact to modulate the composition of the microbiota and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production was tested. Piglets derived by vaginal or Cesarean delivery were sow‐reared (SR) or fed formula (F) or with prebiotics (F+P). On d 7 and 14, intestinal contents were collected. Bacterial density in ileum and ascending colon (AC) on d 14 was quantified by real‐time PCR. Delivery mode and nutrition each affected microbial populations, but no significant interactions were observed. Bacteroides density was higher in ileum and Clostridium cluster XIVa was lower in the AC of VD than CD piglets. Total Bacteria differed in the AC, with SR > F+P > F piglets. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were higher in the ileum and AC of SR than F or F+P piglets and ileal Bacteroides density of SR > F > F+P piglets. Clostridium cluster XIVa density was higher in ileum of SR than F or F+P piglets. In addition, butyrate, isobutyrate, isovalerate and valerate were higher in VD than CD and SR than F or F+P.F+P piglets had higher acetate than SR and F, whereas propionate of SR > F and F+P was intermediate. An interaction between delivery and nutrition was observed for butyrate, isobutyrate and isovalerate, wherein their concentrations were greatest in VD/SR, intermediate in CD/SR and lowest in F and F+P piglets, independent of delivery route. (BMS Freedom to Discover Award)