Temporal Microbial Dynamics in Feces Discriminate by Nutrition, Fecal Color, Consistency and Sample Type in Suckling and Newly Weaned Piglets
Author:
Metzler-Zebeli Barbara U.12ORCID, Lerch Frederike12, Yosi Fitra123, Vötterl Julia12ORCID, Ehmig Juliane12, Koger Simone24, Verhovsek Doris5
Affiliation:
1. Unit Nutritional Physiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria 2. Christian-Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Gut Health Concepts of Livestock, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria 3. Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Sriwijaya, Palembang 30662, Indonesia 4. Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria 5. University Clinic for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
Abstract
Feces enable frequent samplings for the same animal, which is valuable in studies investigating the development of the gut microbiome in piglets. Creep feed should prepare the piglet’s gut for the postweaning period and shape the microbiome accordingly. Little is known about the variation that is caused by differences in fecal color and consistency and different sample types (feces versus swab samples). Therefore, this study evaluated the age-related alterations in the microbiome composition (16S rRNA gene) in feces of suckling and newly weaned piglets in the context of nutrition and fecal consistency, color and sample type from day 2 to 34 of life. Feces from 40 healthy piglets (2 each from 20 litters) were collected on days 2, 6, 13, 20, 27, 30 and 34. Weaning occurred on day 28. Half of the litters only drank sow milk during the suckling phase, whereas the other half had access to creep feed from day 10. Creep feeding during the suckling phase influenced the age-related total bacterial and archaeal abundances but had less of an influence on the relative bacterial composition. Results further showed different taxonomic compositions in feces of different consistency, color and sample type, emphasizing the need to consider these characteristics in comprehensive microbiome studies.
Funder
Austrian Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs and the National Foundation for Research, Technology and Development BIOMIN Holding GmbH
Subject
General Veterinary,Animal Science and Zoology
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