Interrelation between gut microbiota, SCFA, and fatty acid composition in pigs.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Animal Science
• Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

• The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in host metabolism, including the fermentation of indigestible compounds into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).
• SCFAs can be transformed by the host and accumulated in tissues, potentially influencing meat quality traits.
• Understanding the interplay between gut microorganisms and host lipid metabolism is essential for optimizing animal production and health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlations between gut microbial composition and SCFA profiles in rectal content.
• To explore the potential linkage between rectal microbial and SCFA profiles and fatty acid composition in pig backfat and muscle.
• To identify specific bacterial genera that may serve as biomarkers for SCFA and lipid metabolism in pigs.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of a Duroc × Iberian crossbred pig population.
• Correlation analysis between bacterial and archaeal genera abundance and fatty acid profiles (rectal content, backfat, muscle).
• Identification of significant associations between specific microbial taxa and SCFA and lipid metabolites.

Main Results:

• Significant correlations were observed between various bacterial/archaeal genera and fatty acid profiles.
• Prevotella spp. abundance was positively associated with n-butyric acid and negatively with acetic acid in rectal content.
• Akkermansia spp. showed an inverse association with n-butyric acid and a positive association with acetic acid.
• The Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group genus correlated positively with palmitic acid in muscle and negatively with stearic acid in backfat and oleic acid in muscle.

Conclusions:

• Prevotella spp. and Akkermansia spp. may act as potential biomarkers for acetic and n-butyric acids in pigs.
• The Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group is potentially linked to lipid metabolism, suggesting an indirect role of the gut microbiota in modifying backfat and muscle fatty acid composition.
• These findings highlight the intricate relationship between gut microbiota and host lipid metabolism, offering insights for potential manipulation through microbial interventions.