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Milk Formula Diet Alters Bacterial and Host Protein Profile in Comparison to Human Milk Diet in Neonatal Piglet Model
Fernanda Rosa1,2, Boris L Zybailov3, Galina V Glazko4
1USDA-ARS, Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA.
Insights
Neonatal piglet diets significantly alter gut microbial composition and protein expression. Human milk (HM) promoted beneficial bacteria like Firmicutes and Lachnospiraceae, unlike infant formula (MF).
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Proteomics
- Neonatal Nutrition
Background:
- The neonatal gut microbiome plays a crucial role in infant development and health.
- Dietary components significantly influence the establishment and composition of the gut microbiota.
- Understanding the impact of early-life nutrition on the gut metaproteome is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the metaproteome profiles of cecal contents in piglets fed human milk (HM) versus infant formula (MF).
- To investigate the effects of neonatal diet on gut bacterial taxa and microbial protein expression.
- To identify specific microbial proteins and enzymes influenced by HM and MF diets.
Main Methods:
- Metaproteome profiling of cecal contents from neonatal piglets.
- Piglets were fed either pasteurized human milk (HM) or dairy-based infant formula (MF) from postnatal day 2 to 21.
- Analysis of microbial composition and protein identification using metaproteomics.
Main Results:
- HM-fed piglets exhibited a higher abundance of Firmicutes phyla and Lachnospiraceae family compared to MF-fed piglets.
- Ruminococcus gnavus was the most abundant species in HM-fed piglets.
- A greater number of microbial proteins were identified in HM-fed piglets, including glycoside enzymes from Bacteroides spp. and lyases from Lachnospiraceae.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal diet composition significantly impacts the gut bacterial taxa and microbial protein profiles in piglets before weaning.
- Human milk promotes a distinct gut metaproteome compared to infant formula.
- These findings highlight the importance of early-life nutrition in shaping the gut microbial ecosystem.
Abstract:
The metaproteome profiling of cecal contents collected from neonatal piglets fed pasteurized human milk (HM) or a dairy-based infant formula (MF) from postnatal day (PND) 2 to 21 were assessed. At PND 21, a subset of piglets from each group (n = 11/group) were euthanized, and cecal contents were collected for further metaproteome analysis. Cecal microbiota composition showed predominantly more Firmicutes phyla and Lachnospiraceae family in the lumen of cecum of HM-fed piglets in comparison to the MF-fed group. Ruminococcus gnavus was the most abundant species from the Firmicutes phyla in the cecal contents of the HM-fed piglets at 21 days of age. A greater number of expressed proteins were identified in the cecal contents of the HM-fed piglets relative to the MF-fed piglets. Greater abundances of proteins potentially expressed by Bacteroides spp. such as glycoside enzymes were noted in the cecal lumen of HM-fed piglets relative to the MF. Additionally, lyases associated with Lachnospiraceae family were abundant in the cecum of the HM group relative to the MF group. Overall, our findings indicate that neonatal diet impacts the gut bacterial taxa and microbial proteins prior to weaning. The metaproteomics data were deposited into PRIDE, PXD025432 and 10.6019/PXD025432.
