Abstract
AimsThe gut microbiota is believed to play important roles in the health of pregnant mammals, including their nutrient metabolism, immune programming and metabolic regulation. However, until recently, the shifts in gut microbiota composition and faecal and blood metabolic activity during different stages of pregnancy had not been investigated.Methods and ResultsWe investigated the shifts in backfat thickness, plasma and faecal metabolites and gut microbiota on days 30, 60, 90 and 110 of pregnancy and on day 21 after parturition (weaning) in sows. The backfat thickness of sows did not significantly differ among the different stages of pregnancy. The plasma concentrations of lipid metabolites, including triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol and calcium were reduced (P < 0·05) during pregnancy. In addition, the concentration of these metabolites, except TG, reached their maximum at the time of weaning. We also found that Tenericutes, Fibrobacteres and Cyanobacteria varied significantly according to the stages of pregnancy in sows (P < 0·05). Most of the genera, such as Clostridiales, Desulfovibrio, Mogibacteriaceae and Prevotella, increased (P < 0·05) with the progression of pregnancy and decreased (P < 0·05) at weaning. The alpha diversity values (i.e., Shannon diversity and observed species) of sow gut microbiota increased (P < 0·05) from pregnancy to weaning. Pregnancy stages also significantly influenced (P < 0·05) the community structure (beta diversity) of gut microbiota. The progression of pregnancy was associated with changes in lipid metabolism and several carbohydrate‐degradation bacteria (i.e., Prevotella, Succinivibrio, Bacteroides and Parabacteroides).ConclusionsAlthough causal links between the measured parameters remain hypothetical, these findings suggest that the increased diversity and concentration of beneficial gut microbes are associated with the metabolism of pregnant sows.Significance and Impact of the StudyManipulation of the sow gut microbiota composition may potentially influence metabolism and health during pregnancy.
Highlights
Gastrointestinal bacterial communities are known to play critical roles in the functioning and health of their hosts, including their nutrient absorption, metabolism, immune programming and protection from pathogens (Dethlefsen et al 2007)
The relationships between pregnancy and gut microbiota are of particular interest since pregnancy is characterized by dramatic changes in hormones, immune functions and metabolism to support the growth of the mother and foetoplacental unit (Newbern and Freemark 2011)
This study investigated the shifts in plasma and faecal metabolites and in the gut microbiota of Yorkshire 9 Dutch Landrace sows during pregnancy and at weaning
Summary
Gastrointestinal bacterial communities are known to play critical roles in the functioning and health of their hosts, including their nutrient absorption, metabolism, immune programming and protection from pathogens (Dethlefsen et al 2007) These bacterial communities are influenced by various host and environmental factors, such as host. The metabolic activity of the microbiota allows for the synthesis of various compounds, including shortchain fatty acids (SCFA), indoles, ammonia, bioamines, gaseous compounds and vitamins (Blachier et al 2017). These compounds, after intestinal absorption, can be modified by the host and may be actively involved in the host cells as co-metabolites
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