Abstract
Differences in sanitary conditions, as model to induce differences in subclinical immune stimulation, affect the growth performance and nutrient metabolism in pigs. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the colonic microbiota and the colonic and systemic metabolome of female pigs differing in health status induced by sanitary conditions. We analyzed blood and colon digesta metabolite profiles using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR) and Triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, as well as colonic microbiota profiles. 1H NMR is a quantitative metabolomics technique applicable to biological samples. Weaned piglets of 4 weeks of age were kept under high or low sanitary conditions for the first 9 weeks of life. The microbiota diversity in colon digesta was higher in pigs subjected to low sanitary conditions (n = 18 per treatment group). The abundance of 34 bacterial genera was higher in colon digesta of low sanitary condition pigs, while colon digesta of high sanitary status pigs showed a higher abundance for four bacterial groups including the Megasphaera genus (p < 0.003) involved in lactate fermentation. Metabolite profiles (n = 18 per treatment group) in blood were different between both groups of pigs. These different profiles suggested changes in general nutrient metabolism, and more specifically in amino acid metabolism. Moreover, differences in compounds related to the immune system and responses to stress were observed. Microbiome-specific metabolites in blood were also affected by sanitary status of the pigs. We conclude that the microbiome composition in colon and the systemic metabolite profiles are affected by sanitary conditions and related to suboptimal health. These data are useful for exploring further relationships between health, metabolic status and performance and for the identification of biomarkers related to health (indices) and performance.
Highlights
Management conditions, such as sanitary conditions, can affect pig health, and productivity [1, 2]
In week four of age high sanitary condition (HSC) pigs were vaccinated against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Porcine circovirus type 2, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), and Lawsonia intracellularis (Porcilis M Hyo, Porcilis Circo, Porcilis PRRS, all MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, The Netherlands, and Enterisol Ileitis, Boehringer Ingelheim, Alkmaar, The Netherlands)
A higher abundance was observed for four bacterial genera in digesta of HSC compared to low sanitary condition (LSC) pigs
Summary
Management conditions, such as sanitary conditions, can affect pig health, and productivity [1, 2]. Induced variation in sanitary conditions can be used to study the effects of subclinical health status on nutrient metabolism and requirements. Low sanitary conditions induce activation of the immune system which can influence amino acid (AA) metabolism and energy requirements [3, 4]. The sanitary status related health status may negatively affect the growth response of the animal to nutrient intake. This may be due to gut morphology changes and body metabolic changes measurable as plasma urea nitrogen content [6]. As a consequence pig performance can be reduced as a result of immune system activation by low sanitary conditions or specific immune challenges [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
