Metagenomic analysis of microbial composition and antibiotic resistance gene associations in Duroc Landrace Yorkshire pigs intestinal microbiota across different growth stages

With the rapid development of intensive pig farming and widespread antibiotic use, the dynamic changes in intestinal microbial communities and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) across different growth stages are closely related to pig health and production performance, and moreover pose potential threats to food safety and public health. Understanding their distribution patterns and transmission mechanisms is crucial for developing effective breeding management strategies. This study investigated Duroc Landrace Yorkshire (DLY) crossbred pigs at different growth stages from intensive farms, including piglet group (n=13), finishing pig group (n=19), and sow group (n=9). Fecal samples were collected and analyzed using metagenomic sequencing combined with bioinformatics approaches to examine the structure, function, and host attribution of intestinal microbial composition and resistance genes across growth stages. This study elucidated the composition, dynamics, and associations between fecal microorganisms and ARGs in DLY pigs across growth stages, providing valuable insights for intestinal health management and antibiotic resistance research.