Inclusion of Soluble Fiber in the Gestation Diet Changes the Gut Microbiota, Affects Plasma Propionate and Odd-Chain Fatty Acids Levels, and Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Sows

Abstract

The transition from pregnancy to lactation is characterized by a progressive decrease in insulin sensitivity. Propionate increases with dietary fiber consumption and has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity. Recent studies suggest that plasma odd-chain fatty acids [OCFAs; pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and heptadecanoic acid (C17:0)] that inversely correlated with insulin resistance are synthesized endogenously from gut-derived propionate. The present study investigated the effects of soluble fiber during gestation on gut microbiota, plasma non-esterified fatty acids and insulin sensitivity in sows. Sows were allocated to either control or 2.0% guar gum plus pregelatinized waxy maize starch (SF) dietary treatment during gestation. The SF addition changes the structure and composition of gut microbiota in sows. Genus Eubacterium increased by SF addition may promote intestinal propionate production. Moreover, the dietary SF increased circulating levels of plasma OCFAs, especially C17:0. The SF-fed sows had a higher insulin sensitivity and a lower systemic inflammation level during perinatal period. Furthermore, the plasma C15:0 and C17:0 was negatively correlated with the area under curve of plasma glucose after meal and plasma interleukin-6. In conclusion, dietary SF improves insulin sensitivity and alleviates systemic inflammation in perinatal sows, potentially related to its stimulating effect on propionate and OCFAs production.

Dietary fiber and microbiota interaction regulates sow metabolism and reproductive performance

“…Dietary fiber is the main source of energy for gut microbiota, which means that adding an appropriate amount of dietary fiber can increase the abundance of specific microorganisms ( Sappok et al., 2015 ). In addition, dietary fiber also increases the proportion of beneficial bacteria and reduces the proportion of pathogenic bacteria in the gut ( Guan et al., 2019 ; Jiang et al., 2019 ; Wu et al., 2020 ; Xu et al., 2020a ).…”

“…Short-chain fatty acids involved in the regulation of sow metabolism, immunity, and cell proliferation ( Li et al., 2019 ; Wu et al., 2020 ; Xu et al., 2020a ). Dietary supplementation of 3% purified fiber-mixture significantly increase the concentrations of butyrate and propionate in the feces of sows, which was related to the increase in the abundance of Eubacterium-hallii-group and Bacteroides in the gut ( Wu et al., 2020 ).…”

“…Short-chain fatty acids are transported to the peripheral circulation through the portal vein, thereby acting on the liver and peripheral tissues. They have been proposed to act as signal molecules to regulate different physiological activities of the host ( Koh et al., 2016 ), such as regulating immunity and the expression of antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory and pro-inflammatory factors ( Li et al., 2019 ; Shang et al., 2019 ; Guo et al., 2020 ; Xu et al., 2020a ).…”

“…The gut microbiota is sensitive to the physical and chemical properties of specific dietary fibers. Many recent studies have reported that the addition of dietary fibers to diets during pregnancy effectively alters sow gut microbiota composition and diversity, and their interaction affects the sow's nutritional, physiological, and immune processes in a variety of ways ( Cheng et al., 2018a ; Jarrett and Ashworth, 2018 ; Wu et al., 2020 ; Xu et al., 2020a ; Zhuo et al., 2020 ). The present review summarized the effects of dietary fiber on the composition and diversity of sows' gut microbes, as well as their interactions on the regulation of sows' gut health, and reproductive and lactation performances.…”

Troubled Process of Parturition of the Domestic Pig

“…The most important changes in the gut microbiota composition include a reduction in Proteobacteria and an increase in Ruminococcaceae, Oscillospira, and Eubacterium. Additionally, the genus Eubacterium increases, after dietary soluble fiber supplementation during pregnancy, promoting propionate release, being one of the possible reasons by which dietary fiber increases insulin sensitivity and decrease the general inflammation in sows around farrowing [73]. Those microbiota capable to ferment indigestible carbohydrates, produce short chain fatty acids (SCFA) that can be an important energy source for the sow.…”