Phosphorus (P) is of vital importance for many aspects of metabolism, including bone mineralization, blood buffering, and energy utilization. In order to identify molecular routes affecting intrinsic P utilization, we address processes covering P intake, uptake, metabolism, and excretion. In particular, the interrelation of bone tissue and immune features is of interest to approximate P intake to animal's physiology and health status. German Landrace piglets received different levels of digestible phosphorus: recommended, higher, or lower amounts. At multiple time points, relevant serum parameters were analyzed and radiologic studies on bone characteristics were performed. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected to assess differential gene expression. Dietary differences were reflected by serum phosphorus, calcium, parathyroid hormone, and vitamin D. Bone reorganization was persistently affected as shown by microstructural parameters, cathepsin K levels, and transcripts associated with bone formation. Moreover, blood expression patterns revealed a link to immune response, highlighting bidirectional loops comprising bone formation and immune features, where the receptor-activator of NF-κB ligand/receptor-activator of NF-κB kinase system may play a prominent role. The modulated P supplementation provoked considerable organismal plasticity. Genes found to be differentially expressed due to variable P supply are involved in pathways relevant to P utilization and are potential candidate genes for improved P efficiency.
Kazachstania slooffiae is a porcine intestinal yeast whose role in the intestinal environment is largely unexplored. Therefore, the impact of K. slooffiae on growth performance, intestinal microbial metabolites and the microbiota of weaned piglets was investigated in this study. Forty-eight German Landrace pigs were weaned at day 27 or 28 of life and grouped into one control and three treatment groups. During the 5-week experiment, piglets had ad libitum access to feed and water. On days 5, 6 and 7 post weaning, pigs were orally supplemented with either placebo or K. slooffiae cells once a day. Faecal samples collected on days 5-8, 14, 21 and 28 post weaning were used for microbiological and chemical analyses. Between groups, there were no significant differences in the incidence of diarrhoea, pH and growth performance. Total yeasts and K. slooffiae correlated positively with total short-chain fatty acids, acetic, propionic, n-butyric, i-valeric and valeric acids, and negatively with pH. Pyrosequencing of the bacterial intestinal community revealed that K. slooffiae significantly affected the composition of the microbiota. The results of this study suggest that K. slooffiae may play an important role in the porcine digestive system, especially in the critical weaning period.
Effects of probiotic Enterococcus faecium DMS 10663 NCIMB 10415 on diarrhoea and performance of sucking piglets were evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Piglets from treatment group (TG, n=56) and placebo group (PG, n=53) sows were included in the study. Immediately after birth and at day 2 and 3 post natum, each of the TG piglets received 2.8×10(9) colony forming units (cfu) per os. From day 4 until weaning (day 26), 1.26×10(9) cfu E. faecium/piglet were given twice a day via a liquid additive. Piglets already suffering from diarrhoea additionally got a glucose-electrolyte solution enriched with 2.9×10(8) (week 1) and 5.8×10(8) (week 2) cfu E. faecium/day. PG piglets received corresponding placebo preparations. A score was defined to characterise the severity of diarrhoea, including accompanying symptoms. The counts of viable born, stillborn and weaned piglets were similar in TG and PG litters (P>0.05). The probiotic treatment mitigated incidence and severity of diarrhoea (P<0.05) with no impact on diarrhoea length (P>0.05). Probiotic treatment improved daily weight gain (P<0.05) yet with no provable effect on body weight at weaning (P>0.05). The additional supply of E. faecium in piglets suffering from diarrhoea had no further beneficial effect.
BackgroundIn monogastric animals, phosphorus (P) homeostasis is maintained by regulating intestinal absorption, bone mobilization, and renal excretion. Since P is a non-renewable resource, a shortage is imminent due to widespread over-usage in the farming and animal husbandry industries. As a consequence, P efficiency should be improved in pig production. We sought to characterize the transcriptional response in re−/absorbing and excreting tissues in pigs to diets varying in calcium: phosphorus ratios. Weaned piglets were assigned to one of three groups fed diets varying in digestible P content for a period of five weeks. Gene expression profiles were analyzed in jejunum, colon, and kidney.ResultsTranscriptome analysis revealed that reduced dietary P intake affects gene expression in jejunum and kidney, but not in colon. The regulation of mineral homeostasis was reflected via altered mRNA abundances of CYP24A1, CYP27A1, TRPM6, SPP1, and VDR in jejunum and kidney. Moreover, lowered abundances of transcripts associated with the classical complement system pathway were observed in the jejunum. In kidney, shifted transcripts were involved in phospholipase C, calcium signaling, and NFAT signaling, which may have immunomodulatory implications.ConclusionsOur results revealed local transcriptional consequences of variable P intake in intestinal and renal tissues. The adaptive responses are the result of organismal efforts to maintain systemic mineral homeostasis while modulating immune features at local tissue sites. Therefore, the deviation from the currently recommended dietary P supply must be carefully considered, as the endogenous mechanisms that respond to low P diets may impact important adaptive immune responses.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-4584-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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