Supplementing Synbiotic in Sows' Diets Modifies Beneficially Blood Parameters and Colonic Microbiota Composition and Metabolic Activity in Suckling Piglets

Abstract

Nutrients in the maternal diet favor the growth and development of suckling piglets and alter their gut microbiota composition and metabolic activity, thus affecting the hosts. The present study analyzed, in suckling piglets from sows receiving antibiotic or synbiotic supplements from pregnancy to lactation, several biochemical parameters, oxidative/anti-oxidative indices, inflammatory cytokines, and ingestion-related factor levels in plasma, as well as colonic microbiota composition and metabolic activity, and mucosal expression of genes related to the intestinal barrier function. Compared with the control group, maternal synbiotic supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) the plasma levels of glucose, AMM, TC, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), MDA, H2O2, ghrelin, CCK, PP, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, Ala, Cys, Tau, and β-AiBA, the levels of propionate and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the colonic luminal content, and colonic abundances of RFN20, Anaerostipes, and Butyricimonas; while increased (P < 0.05) the plasma levels of urea nitrogen (UN), Ile, Leu, α-AAA, α-ABA, and 1-Mehis, as well as colonic abundances of Sphingomonas, Anaerovorax, Sharpea, and Butyricicoccus. Compared with the antibiotic group, maternal synbiotic supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) the plasma levels of glucose, gastrin, and Ala, as well as abundances of Pasteurella and RFN20 and propionate level in the colonic content. Expression of genes coding for E-cadherin, Occludin, ZO-1, ZO-2, IL-10, and interferon-α were down-regulated in the colonic mucosa. The synbiotic supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the plasma levels of UN, Leu, α-ABA, and 1-Mehis, the abundances of Anaerovorax, Sharpea, and Butyricicoccus and expression of genes coding for E-cadherin, Occludin, ZO-1, ZO-2, IL-10, and interferon-α. Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between colonic Anaerostipes abundance and acetate and SCFAs levels; whereas a negative correlation between Fusobacteria and Fusobacterium abundances and acetate level. These findings suggest that synbiotic supplementation in the maternal diet improved nutrient metabolism and intestinal barrier permeability, reduced oxidative stress, and modified colonic microbiota composition and metabolic activity in suckling piglets.

The High Level of Xylooligosaccharides Improves Growth Performance in Weaned Piglets by Increasing Antioxidant Activity, Enhancing Immune Function, and Modulating Gut Microbiota

“…Moreover, T-SOD, T-AOC, and CAT levels exhibited quadratic increases with different dietary XOS levels on day 28, but the level of MDA was decreased quadratically. A recent report also found that maternal supplementation of 500 mg/kg XOS in diet had a lower level of MDA in sucking pigs, while did not affect the SOD, T-AOC, and CAT activity ( 28 ). These results indicated that XOS improvement of growth performance of weaned piglets might be related to increasing the antioxidant capability.…”

“…Numerous studies indicated that XOS can alleviate inflammatory status in animals. Sow supplementation of 500 mg/kg XOS decreased serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-2, and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α levels in sucking piglets ( 28 ). In the present study, 1.5 and 3% XOS significantly decreased the serum IL-1β compared with the control group.…”

Intestinal microbiota and its interaction to intestinal health in nursery pigs

“…and reduced Clostridium perfringens in the ileum. Ma et al. (2020) reported that nursing piglets from sows fed a diet supplemented with a synbiotic had significant changes in the luminal microbiota in colon and further reduced the systemic immune and oxidative stress status.…”

Probiotics and Synbiotics Addition to Bama Mini-Pigs' Diet Improve Carcass Traits and Meat Quality by Altering Plasma Metabolites and Related Gene Expression of Offspring

“…In addition, dietary inclusion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products from nursery to slaughter improved the marbling score of pork ( 14 ). Moreover, our previous studies showed that maternal addition of synbiotics (including L. plantarum, S. cerevisiae , and XOS) during pregnancy and lactation improved survival rate, nutrient metabolism, and intestinal barrier permeability, reduced oxidative stress, and modified colonic microbiota composition and metabolic activity in suckling piglets ( 15 , 16 ). Bama mini-pigs, one of the most well-known native mini-pigs in China, have superior meat quality but slower muscle growth than commercial pigs ( 17 ).…”