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Intestinal microbiota of sow‐reared piglets is unaffected by route of delivery
Author(s) -
Wang Mei,
Radlowski Emily C.,
Monaco Marcia H.,
Fahey George C.,
Gaskins H. Rex,
Donovan Sharon M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.903.2
Subject(s) - ileum , weaning , bifidobacterium , lactobacillus , clostridium , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , biology , zoology , medicine , andrology , bacteria , endocrinology , genetics
How vaginal vs. Cesarean delivery affected the microbiota and short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations in ileum and ascending colon (AC) of piglets was studied. Piglets were weaned on d21 and samples obtained on d3, 14, 21 and 28. Microbiota were assessed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) analysis and real‐time PCR using universal and group‐specific primers. Route of delivery was not significant, so data were grouped by day. Multivariate analysis of T‐RFLP profiles from AC displayed 3 distinct clusters by age (d3, d14/21, and d28). Total bacteria in ileum and AC and Clostridium cluster XIVa in AC increased between d3 and 14, were stable until d21, then decreased at d28 (p<0.05). In ileum, Clostridium cluster XIVa and Lactobacillus densities were stable between d3 and d21 piglets, then decreased at d28 (p<0.05). Bifidobacterium in ileum did not change over time, and was stable in AC prior to weaning, after which its density increased. Lactobacillus spp in AC was also stable during the suckling period, then decreased after weaning. Ileal pH (7.4) was unaffected by age, while AC pH decreased after weaning compared to d3‐21 (pH 5.6 vs 6.8). Prior to weaning, SCFA concentrations were similar in ileum and AC. After weaning, SCFA decreased in ileum, but increased 2‐ to 5‐fold in AC. Piglet microbiota and SCFA changed over time, but were not affected by route of delivery (BMS Freedom to Discover Award).