Abstract
Enzyme-supplemented diets can influence the intestinal microbiome in an intricate interplay with the immune system. The effects of β-mannanase supplementation in metabolizable energy (ME)-reduced diets containing xylanase were investigated on cytokine profile and fecal microbiota in lactating sows (n = 60, 248.4 ± 2.4 kg) assigned in a randomized block design to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: a control diet containing xylanase (valorization of 40 kcal of ME/kg diet, CD40), CD40 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg, valorization of 45 kcal ME/kg diet, CD85), and CD40 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg, valorization of 60 kcal ME/kg diet, CD100). Serum cytokines concentrations were determined on day 18 of lactation. On day 21, fecal microbiota composition was characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Sows on CD85 had higher alpha diversity richness than CD100 based on the Simpson index. Acutalibacteraceae family was more abundant in sows fed CD100 than CD85 but CAG-508 and NSJ_53 families exhibited higher abundance in sows fed CD85 than CD100. Fimenecus genus exhibited lower abundance in sows on CD85 compared to CD40 or CD100. In conclusion, a diet supplemented with β-mannanase reduced by 85 kcal/kg containing xylanase during lactation can inhibit harmful bacteria, leading to changes in fecal alpha diversity in sows.