Relationship Between Methane Emissions and Intestinal Methanogenic Microbiota in Micro-Mini Pigs

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Science
• Microbiology

Background:

• Methane production in pigs is understudied compared to cattle.
• Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock contribute to climate change.
• Understanding porcine gut microbiota is key to mitigating emissions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and utilize an original GHG monitoring system for pigs.
• To investigate the relationship between porcine GHG emissions and gut archaea.
• To identify factors influencing methane production in pigs.

Main Methods:

• Development of a semi-closed monitoring chamber with a photoacoustic gas monitor for real-time GHG monitoring.
• Parallel analysis of porcine gut microbiota composition.
• Correlation analysis between GHG emissions, body weight, and microbial abundance.

Main Results:

• The genus Methanobrevibacter dominated the pig gut microbiota.
• Carbon dioxide emissions correlated with body weight.
• Methane production was associated with Methanobrevibacter abundance, not body weight.

Conclusions:

• The study establishes a link between specific gut archaea (Methanobrevibacter) and methane production in pigs.
• Intestinal microbiota composition plays a significant role in methane generation.
• Findings support efforts to reduce GHG emissions in livestock production, with a need for further archaeal diversity analysis.