Changes of gut microbiota structure and morphology in weaned piglets treated with fresh fermented soybean meal

This study investigated the effects of dietary fresh fermented soybean meal (FSM) on the intestinal microbiota and metabolites, bacterial enzyme activity and intestinal morphology of weaning piglets. A total of 64 weaned piglets were randomly allocated into two treatments. A corn-soybean-based diet was used as the control and other treatment was fed the same basal diet containing 15% fresh FSM. The feeding trial lasted for 21 days. Bacterial community structure and diversity in the cecum and colon were assessed using pyrosequencing-based analysis. The results showed that the phylum level, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Tenericutes were dominant in the cecum or colon. Gut Firmicutes increased, while Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria decreased in the fresh FSM-fed piglets. At the genus level, the relative abundances of butyrate-producing bacteria, Lactobacillus and Prevotella were higher in both cecum and colon of fresh FSM fed piglets. Meanwhile, fresh FSM could promote the development of intestinal morphological and reduce the incidence of diarrhea. The results indicated that fresh FSM might change intestinal function by influencing intestinal microenvironment.