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Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Recapitulating Suckling-to-Weaning Transition In Vitro using Fetal Intestinal Organoids
Published on: November 15, 2019
Significant changes in caecal microbial composition and metabolites of weaned piglets after protein restriction and
Shiyi Tian1, Qing Shi1, Yizhi Zhu1
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
Abstract:
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of protein restriction and subsequent realimentation on caecal barrier function, caecal microbial composition and metabolites in weaned piglets. Thirty-six 28-day-old weaned piglets were randomly assigned to a control group and a treatment group. The piglets were fed diets containing 18.83% (normal) or 13.05% (low) of crude protein from the 1st to 14th day, after which all piglets were fed diets containing 18.83% of crude protein from the 15th to 28th day. The results showed that protein restriction increased caecal bacterial diversity and richness as well as the abundance of Ruminococcus 2, Faecalibacterium and Lachnospiraceae_uncultured, but reduced the abundance and the gene copies of Lactobacillus in the treatment group compared with the control group on day 14. Protein restriction also decreased the concentrations of isovaleric acid and total branched-chain fatty acids. During the succedent protein realimentation stage, the abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 and the concentrations of lactic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid and total short-chain fatty acids were increased in the treatment group on day 28. Furthermore, the ammonia concentration was reduced, while the gene mRNA levels of caecal barrier function were increased in the treatment group both on days 14 and 28. In conclusion, dietary protein restriction and realimentation could change caecal microbial composition and metabolites, and eventually influence caecal barrier function. The present study may provide a new insight into protein restriction and realimentation in weaned piglets.
