Comparative analysis of changes in diarrhea and gut microbiota in Beigang pigs.

Increasing evidence indicated that the gut microbiota is a large and complex organic combination, which is closely related to the host health. Diarrhea is a disease with devastating effects on livestock that has been demonstrated to be associated with gut microbiota. Currently, studies on gut microbiota and diarrhea have involved multiple species, but changes in gut microbiota of Beigang pigs during diarrhea have not been characterized. Here, we described gut microbial changes of Beigang pigs during diarrhea. Results indicated that a total of 4423 OTUs were recognized in diarrheic and healthy Beigang pigs, and Firmicutes and Bacteroidota were the most dominant phyla regardless of health status. However, the major components of the gut microbiota changed between diarrheic and healthy Beigang pigs. Bacterial taxonomic analysis revealed that the relative abundances of 3 phyla (Synergistota, Actinobacteriota and Spirochaetota) and 30 genera increased significantly during diarrhea, whereas the relative abundances of 3 phyla (Patescibacteria, Bacteroidota and Fibrobacterota) and 41 genera decreased significantly. In conclusion, this study found significant changes in the gut microbiota of Beigang pigs during diarrhea. Meanwhile, this also lays the foundation for the prevention and treatment of diarrhea in Beigang pigs and the further discovery of more anti-diarrhea probiotics.

Protective role of dryland rearing on netting floors against mortality through gut microbiota-associated immune performance in Shaoxing ducks.

Dryland rearing on netting floors (DRNF) is a new rearing method for ducks, which could prevent duck excreta from polluting water bodies. However, the influence of DRNF on duck production and immune performance remains poorly understood. In this study, 2,280 Shaoxing ducks, an egg-type breed of Sheldrake in China, were chosen and randomly divided into 2 groups to investigate the effects of DRNF on duck farming. During the experimental laying rates, feed-egg ratios, and mortality rates of the 2 groups were calculated and recorded. Serum immune parameters, including thymus index, spleen index, levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), were determined. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to analyze the variability of gut microbiota in the duck ileum and cecum. The results showed that DRNF significantly reduced the mortality rate of the ducks and increased the thymus index (P < 0.05), compared to the control. No other significant differences were detected in productional and immune indices (P > 0.05). The 16S rRNA sequencing results revealed differentially enriched microbial compositions in the ileum and cecum, which might be responsible for the improved immune function of Shaoxing ducks. For example, an increase in Lactobacillaceae (family), Anaerotruncus (genus), Saccharibacteria (phylum), Flavobacteriaceae (family), and a reduction in Anaerobiospirillum (genus), Lachnospiraceae (family), Blautia (genus) was revealed in the DRNF ducks. In conclusion, DRNF could alter gut microflora, enhance duck immune system, and reduce mortality in Shaoxing ducks.