Dynamic Distribution of the Gut Microbiota and the Relationship with Apparent Crude Fiber Digestibility and Growth Stages in Pigs

Abstract

The gut microbiota plays an important role in nutrient digestibility in animals. To examine changes in the pig gut microbiota across growth stages and its effects on nutrient digestion, the gut microbiota population in pigs at 28 days (before weaning), and 60, 90, and 150 days of age was assessed by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The apparent digestibility of crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) was also assessed in these pigs. A total of 19,875 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified from all samples. Both bacterial abundance and diversity increased with age. A total of 22 phyla and 249 genera were identified from all fecal samples; Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the most dominant phyla in all samples. With increasing age, the proportion of TM7 and Tenericutes increased, whereas the proportion of Lentisphaerae and Synergistetes decreased. The abundance of 36 genera varied with age, and the apparent digestibility of CF increased with age. Three phyla, Proteobacteria, Tenericutes and TM7, and 11 genera, including Anaeroplasma, Campylobacter, and Clostridium, were correlated with apparent CF digestibility.

Exploring a Possible Link between the Intestinal Microbiota and Feed Efficiency in Pigs

“…in low RFI pigs. On the contrary, some other members that may have a role in carbohydrate utilization, such as the genus "Candidatus Saccharimonas" (47) or Methanosphaera, were less abundant in low RFI pigs, albeit they were present at very low median relative abundances. Actinobacillus was present at a higher abundance in the ceca of low RFI pigs, but despite this, some species potentially pathogenic to pigs (OTUs of A. pleuropneumoniae, A. porcitonsillarum, and A. rossii) were found, albeit at very low abundances, in the ilea of both low and high RFI pigs.…”

Oral Administration of a Select Mixture of Bacillus Probiotics Affects the Gut Microbiota and Goblet Cell Function following Escherichia coli Challenge in Newly Weaned Pigs of Genotype MUC4 That Are Supposed To Be Enterotoxigenic E. coli F4ab/ac Receptor Negative

“…In humans, the gut microbiota can be influenced by age, physiologic variations, and geography (20). Indeed, an increased Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio in the gut microbiota was also found in advanced-age pigs (21). An increased ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes divisions has been associated with improved energy-harvesting capacity (22).…”

Long-term performance of rapid oxidation of arsenite in simulated groundwater using a population of arsenite-oxidizing microorganisms in a bioreactor

“…Barcoded V4 amplicons were sequenced using the pair-end method on the Illumina MiSeq platform (Illumina, USA). DNA sequence processing and analysis was carried out as described previously (Niu et al, 2015).…”