Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum addition to sows in late gestation and lactation on reproductive performance and intestinal microbiota1

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Clostridium butyricum addition to diets in late gestation and lactation on the reproductive performance and gut microbiota for sows. A total of 180 healthy Landrace × Yorkshire sows at 90 d of gestation were randomly assigned to one of four groups, with 45 replicates per group, receiving a basal commercial diet (Control, 0% C. butyricum) or diet added with 0.1% C. butyricum (1 × 108 CFU/kg of feed), 0.2% C. butyricum (2 × 108 CFU/kg of feed), 0.4% C. butyricum (4 × 108 CFU/kg of feed), respectively. The experiment was conducted from 90 d of gestation to weaning at 21 d of lactation. The results showed that the interval between piglet born was linearly (P < 0.05) decreased, and the duration of farrowing was significantly (quadratic, P < 0.05) shortened as C. butyricum addition increased. There was a linear (P < 0.05) increase in litter weight at weaning and litter weight gain. The concentrations of IgG and IgM in colostrum, and IgM in milk were linearly increased (P < 0.05) as C. butyricum addition. Serum MDA concentrations of sows at parturition and 14 d in lactation, and piglets at 14 and 21 d of age were linearly (P < 0.05) decreased, respectively. The serum total antioxidant capacity concentrations of sows at parturition and 14 and 21 d in lactation, and piglets at 14 and 21 d of age were linearly (P < 0.05) increased as C. butyricum addition, respectively. There was a linear decrease in the serum endotoxin concentration of sows on 21 d in lactation (P < 0.05). The serum cortisol concentrations of piglets at 14 and 21 d of age were both significantly (quadratic, P < 0.05) decreased. The 0.2% C. butyricum increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (P = 0.016) at phylum level, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, Prevotella_1, Prevotellaceae_UCG-003, Prevotella_9, Alloprevotella (P < 0.05) at genus level, and decreased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Actinobacteria (P < 0.001) at phylum level, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Streptococcus, Escheruchia-Shigella, Sphingomonas, Succinivibrio (P < 0.05) at genus level and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (P = 0.020). In conclusion, the present research indicated that dietary addition with C. butyricum could shorten the duration of farrowing and enhance the growth performance of suckling piglets. Moreover, 0.2% C. butyricum administration to sows changed the composition of intestinal microbiota, especially increased the relative abundance of Prevotella.

Clostridium butyricum Protects IPEC‐J2 Cells from ETEC K88‐Induced Oxidative Damage by Activating the Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway

“…Moreover, these diets improve the intestinal barrier function and digestive enzyme activity in broilers infected with ETEC K88 [9]. According to previous studies, CB promotes the expression of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in mice and alleviates oxidative stress [10][11][12]. Therefore, the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immuneenhancing effects of this probiotic may be related to the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1-(Keap1-) Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway, which is one of the most important antioxidative stress pathways in cells.…”

Differences in Gut Microbial and Serum Biochemical Indices Between Sows With Different Productive Capacities During Perinatal Period

“…Moreover, microflora plays a vital role in reproductive performance. Probiotics feed supplements have been shown to improve sow reproductive capacity by influencing gut microbiota (Alexopoulos et al, 2004;Tsukahara et al, 2018;Cao et al, 2019).…”

Effects of supplementing sow diets during late gestation with Pennisetum purpureum on antioxidant indices, immune parameters and faecal microbiota

“…MDA, T‐AOC, GSH‐Px, CAT and SOD can be used to determine the redox state of sow serum. MDA is a sign of oxidative stress, and its increased level indicates that the animal is in a strong oxidative stress state (Cao et al., 2019). SOD can catalyse the degradation of superoxide radicals into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, which are then degraded by CAT.…”

“…Short‐Chain Fatty Acid (SCFAs) including acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid in faeces samples were analysed by 7890B gas chromatography (Agilent, Inc.) as described previously (Cao et al., 2019).…”