Raw data for Study 1 and 2 and metadata

Due to the evolution of welfare laws and the search for novel methods to study pig microbiota, the development of precise and non-invasive sampling methods is key to studying the microbial communities that inhabit the gut of the pigs. Administering swallowable devices to pigs is always a challenge due to factors like anatomy,specific materials required, and the need to restrain the animals. In this study, we describe a step-by-step protocol on how to administrate a Capsule for Sampling (CapSa), a biocompatible non-invasive device to study pig’s microbiota without harming the animals. The validation of the administering protocol was done through two different studies. In study 1, a total of 92 Swiss Large White pigs (from 6.45 to 71.3 kg BW) were administrated two capsules each and monitored for the following three days for capsule retrieval. On day 3, all pigs were euthanised to locate the missing capsules directly from the gastrointestinal tract of the pig. In study 2, 16 Swiss Large White pigs were selected at weaning and administered CapSas at five different timepoints (T1: 52 ± 3; T2: 70 ± 3; T3: 83 ± 3; T4: 110 ± 3; T5: 126 ± 3 days of age). To retrieve the capsules in the feces, pigs were monitored during three days post-administration. At T5, pigs were slaughtered and missing capsules were searched in the gastrointestinal tract. The protocol entails acclimation of the animals, housing modifications, administration of a prokinetic agent (prucalopride) to facilitate gastric emptying and oesophageal intubations to overcome challenges related to administration, gastric blockage and retrieval of the capsules.The present study describes a valid procedure to administer CapSa or any other swallowable devices in pigs. Moreover, this procedure is applicable for singular as well as repetitive administrations over the lifespan of the pigs.

伴随福利法规的完善以及猪肠道微生物群研究新型方法的探索需求，开发精准且非侵入性的采样方法，已然成为研究猪肠道内定植微生物群落的核心关键。由于猪的解剖结构特点、所需特殊材料，以及必须对动物进行保定等诸多限制因素，给猪投服可吞咽装置始终是一项颇具难度的工作。本研究详细描述了一套分步操作方案，介绍如何使用采样胶囊（Capsule for Sampling, CapSa）——一种生物相容性非侵入式装置，可在不伤害猪只的前提下研究其肠道微生物群。该饲喂方案的验证通过两项独立研究完成。研究1共纳入92头瑞士大白猪（体重6.45~71.3 kg），每头猪饲喂2枚胶囊，并在随后3天内监测胶囊的回收情况。在第3天时，对所有猪只实施安乐死，直接从其胃肠道中寻找未回收的胶囊。研究2选取16头断奶期瑞士大白猪，在5个不同时间点（T1：52±3日龄；T2：70±3日龄；T3：83±3日龄；T4：110±3日龄；T5：126±3日龄）饲喂CapSa。为回收粪便中的胶囊，在饲喂后连续3天对猪只进行监测。在T5时间点，对猪只进行屠宰，并在其胃肠道中搜寻未回收的胶囊。本方案包含动物环境适应、饲养环境改造、饲喂促动力剂（普卢卡必利）以促进胃排空，以及采用食管插管术以克服饲喂、胃阻塞和胶囊回收相关的挑战。本研究描述了一种可行的猪只CapSa饲喂方案，亦可推广至其他可吞咽装置的饲喂操作。此外，该方案适用于猪只整个生命周期内的单次或重复饲喂操作。