Colonic Microbiota and Metabolite Profiles and Their Associations with Host Plasma Biochemical Parameters of Three Pig Breeds from Suckling to Weaning

This study examined the colonic microbiota and metabolite profiles and their correlation with plasma biochemical parameters of Xiangcun Black (XB), Taoyuan Black (TB), and Duroc piglets at 1, 10, 21 (weaning), and 24 days of age. The results showed that colonic microbial diversity increased with age, with distinct composition at 1 day. In addition, colonic Lactobacillus and Bacteroides abundances were higher (P < 0.05) in the 1-day-old Duroc piglets, as well as Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 abundance (P < 0.05) in the 1-day-old TB piglets. At 24 days, butyric acid-producing Subdoligranulum abundance was higher (P < 0.05) in the TB piglets, as well as Bacteroides abundance (P < 0.05) in the XB piglets. The LEfSe analysis and PICRUSt2 function prediction showed that increased Bacteroides and Muribaculaceae abundances (P < 0.05) might be the potential biomarkers associated with enhanced secondary bile acid biosynthesis and streptomycin biosynthesis in the XB piglets at 24 days. Metabolomics analyses showed colonic metabolite composition differed between both ages and breeds (P < 0.05). The number of metabolic pathways, in which differential metabolites between breeds involved, was highest at 21 days of age. The differential metabolites among the three breeds at 21 days were enriched in glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, TCA cycle, glycine/serine/threonine metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, arginine biosynthesis, and neomycin/kanamycin/gentamicin biosynthesis (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that the colonic Lactobacillus and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 abundance might influence the plasma hydroxyproline, albumin, and valine concentrations through affecting the colonic metabolites, including pantothenic acid, glyceric acid, L-aspartic acid, dimethylglycine, N-acetyl-glutamic acid, and 20-HETE. In summary, colonic Subdoligranulum, Bacteroides, and Muribaculaceae may confer a stronger resistance to the weaning stress of TB and XB piglets by increasing butyric acid and secondary bile acid production. Moreover, Lactobacillus and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 may be the key genera that influence the host health from suckling to weaning in all pig breeds. These findings highlight the significance of precise nutrition for swine production.