Composition, function, and timing: exploring the early-life gut microbiota in piglets for probiotic interventions.

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Microbiology
• Gut Microbiome Research

Background:

• A healthy gut microbiota in early life offers long-term benefits for piglets.
• The ideal timing for probiotic introduction to optimize piglet gut microbiota is not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate piglet gut microbiota development and identify optimal probiotic intervention timing.
• To understand sow-to-piglet microbial transmission and its impact on gut colonization.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal fecal sampling from 63 piglets at three pre-weaning stages.
• Analysis of sow vaginal and fecal microbiota.
• 16S rRNA gene and metagenomic sequencing for microbial composition, function, and networks.
• Source-tracking analysis to identify microbial origins.

Main Results:

• Piglet gut microbiota composition, diversity, and function changed significantly with age.
• Sow microbiota (vaginal and fecal) were key sources for neonatal piglet gut colonization.
• By day 21, piglets showed a more efficient microbial network and enhanced colonization resistance.
• Three Ruminococcus sp. strains identified at day 10 may improve pre-weaning weight gain.

Conclusions:

• Day 10 (D10) is the most effective time for probiotic administration in piglets.
• This study enhances understanding of early-life piglet microbiota dynamics.
• Findings provide evidence-based guidance for future probiotic strategies in swine.