Wild boar-derived microbiota transplantation impacts piglet gut microbiota, metabolite profile, and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production

Colonization of species specific co-evolved microbes in early life plays an important role in the gastrointestinal and immune system development. In this study, we hypothesized that the strict biosecurity and antibiotic use in modern pig production has resulted in the loss of coevolved species and critical symbiotic host microbe interactions that are essential for host physiology. The objective was to culture and reintroduce missing host derived microbes from wild boars into conventional piglets to understand their colonization dynamics and effect on gut microbial community structure, metabolite profile as well as systemic and local immune response. On postnatal day (PND) 21, 48 piglets selected from six litters were orally exposed on alternate days to one of the following treatments until PND 27: 1) a cultured mixed microbial community (MMC) derived from wild boar (WB); 2) MMC from a conventional sow (Sow); 3) a combination of MMC from wild boar and conventional sow (Mix); or 4) Control (1X PBS) to test the hypothesis.