AUTHOR=Ma Cui , Gao Qiankun , Zhang Wanghong , Zhu Qian , Tang Wu , Blachier Francois , Ding Hao , Kong Xiangfeng 

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

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.575685

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2020.575685

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>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 (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) the plasma levels of glucose, AMM, TC, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), MDA, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, 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 <italic>RFN20, Anaerostipes</italic>, and <italic>Butyricimonas</italic>; while increased (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) the plasma levels of urea nitrogen (UN), Ile, Leu, α-AAA, α-ABA, and 1-Mehis, as well as colonic abundances of <italic>Sphingomonas, Anaerovorax, Sharpea</italic>, and <italic>Butyricicoccus</italic>. Compared with the antibiotic group, maternal synbiotic supplementation decreased (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) the plasma levels of glucose, gastrin, and Ala, as well as abundances of <italic>Pasteurella</italic> and <italic>RFN20</italic> 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 (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) the plasma levels of UN, Leu, α-ABA, and 1-Mehis, the abundances of <italic>Anaerovorax, Sharpea</italic>, and <italic>Butyricicoccus</italic> 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 <italic>Anaerostipes</italic> abundance and acetate and SCFAs levels; whereas a negative correlation between <italic>Fusobacteria</italic> and <italic>Fusobacterium</italic> 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.</p>