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Micro-Coevolution of Genetics Rather Than Diet With Enterotype in Pigs
Ning Ma1, Yiwei Sun1, Jiashun Chen2
1State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
Frontiers in Nutrition
|April 8, 2022
Summary
Piglet gut microbiota is primarily shaped by host genetics, not diet. Chinese breeds exhibit unique enterotypes, with Lactobacillus reuteri showing potential for disease intervention in weaned piglets.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Animal genetics
- Gut health
Background:
- Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in host health.
- Understanding host-genetics influence on gut microbiome is vital for animal breeding and health management.
- Previous studies often focus on environmental factors like diet, overlooking host genetic contributions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish an enterotype model for piglets based on host genetics.
- To investigate the impact of host genetics on gut microbiota composition and function in different pig breeds.
- To identify specific microbial strains with potential for disease intervention.
Main Methods:
- Enterotype analysis of piglet gut microbiota, controlling for dietary variations.
- Comparative analysis of microbial communities across various Chinese and other pig breeds.
- Isolation and characterization of key microbial strains, including Lactobacillus reuteri.
Main Results:
- Three distinct enterotype clusters were identified: Bacteroides, Streptococcus, and Lactobacillus.
- Chinese native breeds were predominantly associated with enterotypes 1 and 3, indicating a strong genetic influence.
- Lactobacillus reuteri, a representative strain of enterotype 3, was found across all enterotypes and demonstrated excellent stress resistance.
Conclusions:
- Host genetics is a major determinant of piglet gut microbiota composition and function.
- The identified enterotypes provide a framework for understanding pig breed-specific microbial communities.
- Lactobacillus reuteri possesses traits beneficial for improving disease resistance and health in weaned piglets.
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