Background The emergence of antibiotic resistant microorganisms associated with conventional swine production practices has increased interest in acid-based compounds having antimicrobial properties and other biologic...Background The emergence of antibiotic resistant microorganisms associated with conventional swine production practices has increased interest in acid-based compounds having antimicrobial properties and other biological functions as nutritional interventions.Despite the interest in organic acids and monoglycerides,few studies have examined the effects of the combination of these acid-based additives in weaned pigs under disease challenge conditions.Therefore,this study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with blend of organic acids and/or medium-chain fatty acid monoglycerides on intestinal health and systemic immunity of weaned pigs experimentally infected with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)F18 at 4-week of age.Results Dietary supplementation of organic acids,monoglycerides,or both organic acids and monoglycerides(combination)reduced(P<0.05)the diarrhea frequency of ETEC F18-infected pigs throughout the experimental period(d−7 to 21 post-inoculation).This is consistent with the reduced(P<0.05)proportion ofβ-hemolytic coliforms in feces observed for the organic acid and combination treatments on d 10 post-inoculation.Supplementation of organic acids,monoglycerides,or combination also reduced(P<0.05)bacterial translocation in mesenteric lymph nodes on d 21 post-inoculation.Pigs fed with monoglycerides or combination had lower(P<0.05)white blood cells on d 5 post-inoculation,and pigs fed the combination also had lower(P<0.05)lymphocytes than pigs in control group.Monoglyceride supplementation increased(P<0.05)white blood cells and neutrophils compared with control group on d 14 post-inoculation.However,supplementation with organic acid blend,monoglyceride blend,or combination did not affect growth performance in this experiment.Conclusions Supplementation with monoglycerides or organic acids alone or in combination improves the detrimental effects of ETEC F18 infection in weaned pigs,as indicated by reduced diarrhea,fecal shedding ofβ-hemolytic coliforms,and bacterial translocation,and thus enhancing disease resistance.Monoglycerides reduced the inflammatory response during peak infection,but their immunomodulatory and possible synergistic effects with organic acids need to be further investigated.展开更多
Background There is a growing focus on using various plant-derived agricultural by-products to increase the benefits of pig farming,but these feedstuffs are fibrous in nature.This study investigated the relationship b...Background There is a growing focus on using various plant-derived agricultural by-products to increase the benefits of pig farming,but these feedstuffs are fibrous in nature.This study investigated the relationship between dietary fiber physicochemical properties and feedstuff fermentation characteristics and their effects on nutrient utilization,energy metabolism,and gut microbiota in growing pigs.Methods Thirty-six growing barrows(47.2±1.5 kg)were randomly allotted to 6 dietary treatments with 2 apparent viscosity levels and 3β-glucan-to-arabinoxylan ratios.In the experiment,nutrient utilization,energy metabolism,fecal microbial community,and production and absorption of short-chain fatty acid(SCFA)of pigs were investigated.In vitro digestion and fermentation models were used to compare the fermentation characteristics of feedstuffs and ileal digesta in the pig’s hindgut.Results The production dynamics of SCFA and dry matter corrected gas production of different feedstuffs during in vitro fermentation were different and closely related to the physical properties and chemical structure of the fiber.In animal experiments,increasing the dietary apparent viscosity and theβ-glucan-to-arabinoxylan ratios both increased the apparent ileal digestibility(AID),apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD),and hindgut digestibility of fiber components while decreasing the AID and ATTD of dry matter and organic matter(P<0.05).In addition,increasing dietary apparent viscosity andβ-glucan-to-arabinoxylan ratios both increased gas exchange,heat production,and protein oxidation,and decreased energy deposition(P<0.05).The dietary apparent viscosity andβ-glucanto-arabinoxylan ratios had linear interaction effects on the digestible energy,metabolizable energy,retained energy(RE),and net energy(NE)of the diets(P<0.05).At the same time,the increase of dietary apparent viscosity andβ-glucan-to-arabinoxylan ratios both increased SCFA production and absorption(P<0.05).Increasing the dietary apparent viscosity andβ-glucan-to-arabinoxylan ratios increased the diversity and abundance of bacteria(P<0.05)and the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria.Furthermore,increasing the dietaryβ-glucan-to-arabinoxylan ratios led to a linear increase in SCFA production during the in vitro fermentation of ileal digesta(P<0.001).Finally,the prediction equations for RE and NE were established.Conclusion Dietary fiber physicochemical properties alter dietary fermentation patterns and regulate nutrient utilization,energy metabolism,and pig gut microbiota composition and metabolites.展开更多
Background The composition and relative abundances of intestinal microbiota are closely related to animal growth,development and health.This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the spatial distribution and temp...Background The composition and relative abundances of intestinal microbiota are closely related to animal growth,development and health.This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of intestinal fungi in pigs,with a focus on fungal alterations associated with diarrhea.Methods Intestinal digesta from duodenum,jejunum,ileum,cecum,colon and feces of 8 finishing pigs(180 days old)were collected.Fecal samples were also collected from 18 pigs across different growth stages,including lactation(3 d),nursery(26 d,35 d,49 d),growing(120 d)and finishing(180 d).Additionally,feces were collected from 32 diarrheal and 32 healthy piglets at 28 days old.Fungal community profiling in these samples was performed using internal transcribed spacer(ITS)sequencing.Results A total of 9,224 amplicon sequence variants(ASVs)were detected in all of 220 samples.Intestinal fungal diversity exhibited clear biogeographic patterns,with significantly lower richness and Shannon index in the ileum(P<0.05)and significantly higher richness in the large intestine and feces(P<0.05).The fungal community structure also varied significantly across intestinal segments,with Kazachstania dominating in the ileum and Geotrichum in the duodenum and jejunum.Across growth stages,fecal fungal diversity increased after weaning.PCoA results revealed that fungal structure exhibited significant temporal changes(R=0.7313,P=0.001),with the core fungal taxa dominated by Diutina catenulata,Aspergillus restrictus and Tahromyces munnarensis.In addition,by comparing the fungal community of piglets with and without diarrhea,the richness and Shannon index were significantly higher in the diarrheal piglets than those in healthy piglets(P<0.05)with Kazachstania,Diutina and Aspergillus enriched in diarrheal piglets and Geotrichum,Tahromyces and Piromyces in healthy piglets.Conclusions The intestinal fungal community in pigs shows distinct spatial variation,with greater diversity in the large intestine.Fungal composition shifts dynamically with age,particularly around the weaning transition.This study highlights specific fungal taxa associated with diarrhea caused by weaning stress,offering new insights into the interplay between gut fungi and pig health.展开更多
Background Exogenous xylanase can increase utilization of fiber and energy when included in diets for pigs,and xylo-oligosaccharides(XOS)may improve growth performance of pigs by modulating intestinal fermentation.How...Background Exogenous xylanase can increase utilization of fiber and energy when included in diets for pigs,and xylo-oligosaccharides(XOS)may improve growth performance of pigs by modulating intestinal fermentation.However,it is unclear if a stimbiotic(i.e.,a combination of xylanase and XOS)has superior effects compared with a xylanase alone,and there is a lack of data demonstrating if xylanase fed to lactating sows influences growth performance of weanling pigs.Therefore,two hypotheses were tested:1)xylanase and stimbiotic improve growth performance,apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD)of gross energy(GE)and total dietary fiber(TDF),digestible energy(DE),and intestinal health of weanling pigs and 2)offspring of sows fed xylanase in lactation have greater growth performance after weaning than offspring of sows fed no xylanase during lactation.Methods One hundred and twenty pigs were weaned from sows fed a diet without xylanase,and 120 pigs were weaned from sows fed a lactation diet containing 16,000 beechwood xylanase units per kg(initial weight:5.81±0.50 kg).Pigs were allotted to a 2×3 factorial with two sow groups(lactation diet without or with xylanase)and three dietary treatments(i.e.,control,control plus xylanase,or control plus stimbiotic).Results There were no interactions between sow treatment and post-weaning pig treatment,and sow treatment did not impact post-weaning growth or ATTD of GE and TDF in weaned pigs.From d 15 to 28 post-weaning,the ADG,G:F,ATTD of GE and TDF,and concentration of DE were greater(P<0.05)for pigs fed the diet with stimbiotic than if fed the xylanase diet or the control diet,and pigs fed the xylanase diet had greater(P<0.05)ADG,G:F,ATTD of GE and TDF,and concentration of DE than pigs fed the control diet.From d 29 to 42 post-weaning,pigs fed the diets with xylanase or stimbiotic had greater(P<0.05)ADG,ATTD of GE and TDF,and DE than pigs fed the control diet.Conclusions Pigs fed xylanase or stimbiotic had greater ATTD of GE and TDF,greater DE,and greater overall ADG,G:F,and final body weight on d 42 post-weaning than pigs fed the control diet,but feeding sows xylanase in lactation did not influence post-weaning growth performance.展开更多
Background The aim of this study was to investigate the role of necroptosis in deoxynivalenol(DON)-induced liver injury and inflammation in weaned piglets.Methods In Exp.1,12 weaned piglets were divided into 2 groups ...Background The aim of this study was to investigate the role of necroptosis in deoxynivalenol(DON)-induced liver injury and inflammation in weaned piglets.Methods In Exp.1,12 weaned piglets were divided into 2 groups including pigs fed basal diet and pigs fed diet contaminated with 4 mg/kg DON for 21 d.In Exp.2,12 weaned piglets were divided into 2 groups including con-trol piglets and piglets given a gavage of 2 mg/kg body weight(BW)DON.In Exp.3,24 weaned piglets were used in a 2×2 factorial design and the main factors including necrostatin-1(Nec-1)(DMSO or 0.5 mg/kg BW Nec-1)and DON challenge(saline or 2 mg/kg BW DON gavage).On 21 d in Exp.1,or at 6 h post DON gavage in Exp.2 and 3,pigs were killed for blood samples and liver tissues.Liver histology,blood biochemical indicators,and liver inflamma-tion and necroptosis signals were tested.Results Dietary or oral gavage with DON caused liver morphological damage in piglets.Dietary DON led to hepato-cyte damage indicated by increased aspartate transaminase(AST)activity and AST/alanine aminotransferase(ALT)ratio,and DON gavage also caused hepatocyte damage and cholestasis indicated by increased AST and alkaline phosphatase(AKP)activities.Dietary DON caused liver necroptosis indicated by increased protein abundance of total receptor interacting protein kinase 3(t-RIP3)and total mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein(t-MLKL).Moreover,DON gavage increased mRNA expression of interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-1βin liver.DON gavage also induced liver necroptosis demonstrated by increased protein abundance of t-RIP3,phosphorylated-RIP3(p-RIP3),t-MLKL and p-MLKL.However,pretreatment with Nec-1,a specific inhibitor of necroptosis,inhibited liver necroptosis indi-cated by decreased protein expression of t-RIP3,p-RIP3,t-MLKL and p-MLKL.Nec-1 pretreatment reduced liver morphological damage after DON gavage.Pretreatment with Nec-1 also attenuated liver damage induced by DON indicated by decreased activities of AST and AKP.Furthermore,Nec-1 pretreatment inhibited liver mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-1βafter DON challenge.Conclusions Our data demonstrate for the first time that necroptosis contributes to DON-induced liver injury and inflammation in piglets.展开更多
Toxoplasma gondii(T.gondii)is a globally distributed parasite that can infect a diversity of warm-blooded animals,including swine and humans.Infection in swine poses a considerable threat to food safety and public hea...Toxoplasma gondii(T.gondii)is a globally distributed parasite that can infect a diversity of warm-blooded animals,including swine and humans.Infection in swine poses a considerable threat to food safety and public health.The aim of this meta-analysis was to estimate the seroprevalence of T.gondii infection in the swine population in China from 2000 to 2023 and to examine potential factors associated with infection.A total of 112 studies were included,collectively involving 145,152 swine samples originating from 26 provinces.The pooled seroprevalence was 26.0%(95%CI:23.3%–28.7%).Stratified analysis based on diagnostic methods revealed that studies using the indirect hemagglutination assay(IHA)reported a seroprevalence of 19.7%(95%CI:17.2%–22.2%),whereas those utilizing the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)reported a higher seroprevalence of 35.5%(95%CI:29.1%–41.8%).Geographical analysis indicated higher seroprevalence in the South Central and Southwest regions,whereas the East and Northwest areas reported the lowest seroprevalence.Chongqing Province reported the highest seroprevalence,reaching 44.9%(95%CI:43.4%–46.0%),followed by Xinjiang,Hainan,and Guizhou,whereas the lowest was observed in Shandong Province(3.5%,95%CI:1.7%–6.1%).These findings provide important epidemiological evidence that can inform strategies for the prevention and control of T.gondii infection in swine populations,with a focus on high-risk populations and geographical areas.This imperative contributes substantially to the improvement of both food safety and public health.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the refractive and the histological changes in guinea pig eyes after posterior scleral reinforcement with scleral allografts.METHODS:Four-week-old guinea pigs were implanted with scleral allografts,...AIM:To investigate the refractive and the histological changes in guinea pig eyes after posterior scleral reinforcement with scleral allografts.METHODS:Four-week-old guinea pigs were implanted with scleral allografts,and the changes of refraction,corneal curvature and axis length were monitored for 51d.The effects of methylprednisolone(MPS)on refraction parameters were also evaluated.And the microstructure and ultra-microstructure of eyes were observed on the 9d and 51d after operation.Repeated-measures analysis of variance and one-way analysis of variance were used.RESULTS:The refraction outcome of the implanted eye decreased after operation,and the refraction change of the 3 mm scleral allografts group was significantly different with control group(P=0.005)and the sham surgical group(P=0.004).After the application of MPS solution,the reduction of refraction outcome was statistically suppressed(P=0.008).The inflammatory encapsulation appeared 9d after surgery.On 51d after operation,the loose implanted materials were absorbed,while the adherent implanted materials with MPS group were still tightly attached to the recipient’s eyeball.CONCLUSION:After implantation of scleral allografts,the refraction of guinea pig eyes fluctuated from a decrease to an increase.The outcome of the scleral allografts is affected by implantation methods and the inflammatory response.Stability of the material can be improved by MPS.展开更多
Meniscus injuries are widespread and the available treatments do not offer enough healing potential.Here,we provide critical support for using pigs as a biological model for meniscal degeneration and the development o...Meniscus injuries are widespread and the available treatments do not offer enough healing potential.Here,we provide critical support for using pigs as a biological model for meniscal degeneration and the development of cutting-edge therapies in orthopedics.We present a single-cell transcriptome atlas of the meniscus,consisting of cell clusters corresponding to four major cell types:chondrocytes,endothelial cells,smooth muscle cells,and immune cells.Five distinct chondrocyte subclusters(CH0–CH4)were annotated,of which only one was widespread in both the red and white zones,indicating a major difference in the cellular makeup of the zones.Subclusters distinct to the white zone appear responsible for cartilage-specific matrix deposition and protection against adverse microenvironmental factors,while those in the red zone exhibit characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells and are more likely to proliferate and migrate.Additionally,they induce remodeling actions in other chondrocyte subclusters and promote the proliferation and maturation of endothelial cells,inducing healing and vascularization processes.Considering that they have substantial remodeling capabilities,these subclusters should be of great interest for tissue engineering studies.We also show that the cellular makeup of the pig meniscus is comparable to that of humans,which supports the use of pigs as a model in orthopedic therapy development.展开更多
Background Fat is a key component of body composition in both humans and animals,with intramuscular fat(IMF)being a critical determinant of pork quality.Higher IMF level enhances meat qualities such as flavor,tenderne...Background Fat is a key component of body composition in both humans and animals,with intramuscular fat(IMF)being a critical determinant of pork quality.Higher IMF level enhances meat qualities such as flavor,tenderness,and juiciness,directly influencing consumer preference and market demand.Therefore,identifying microbial biomarkers associated with fat deposition is essential for improving meat quality in livestock and understanding how gut microbiota regulates host metabolism.Results In this study,we examined changes in meat quality,fat metabolism,and gut microbiota during the pig life cycle,from weaning to marketing.We found that Jinhua pig exhibited higher IMF content and marbling score,and higher α diversity of colonic microbial communities.Microbiome Multivariate Association with Linear Models was used to identify the core genera associated with age,breed,and feed,and Prevotella was found to respond to both age and breed factors.The correlation analysis of fat deposition indicators with microbial genera revealed that Prevotella was a potential biomarker in response to IMF.In addition,the P.stercorea DSM 18206(P.stercorea)was identified in porcine sample and administered to pseudo sterile mouse to examine the effect on IMF deposition.We found that the gavage of P.stercorea with alfalfa-enriched diet led to a significant increase in triglyceride(TG)and IMF contents in muscle.Metabolomic analysis further confirmed P.stercorea may potentially regulate fat deposition through the sphingolipid signaling pathway.Conclusions We identified P.stercorea as a potential biomarker linked to higher IMF deposition and validated their role in shaping the gut microbiota and promoting fat accumulation in a mouse model,which correlated with the sphingolipid signaling pathway.These findings provide valuable insights into the role of P.stercorea in regulating fat deposition and metabolic health,offering implications for improving both livestock meat quality and lipid metabolism in humans.展开更多
The kidney is essential for maintaining fluid,electrolyte,and metabolite homeostasis,and for regulating blood pressure.The pig serves as a valuable biomedical model for human renal physiology,offering insights across ...The kidney is essential for maintaining fluid,electrolyte,and metabolite homeostasis,and for regulating blood pressure.The pig serves as a valuable biomedical model for human renal physiology,offering insights across different physiological states.In this study,single-cell RNA sequencing was used to profile 138469 cells from 12 pig kidney samples collected during the embryonic(E),fattening(F),and pregnancy(P)periods,identifying 29 cell types.Proximal tubule(PT)cells exhibited elevated expression of metabolism-related transcription factors(TFs),including GPD1,ACAA1,and AGMAT,with validation across multiple individuals,periods,and species.Fluorescence homologous double-labeling of paraffin sections further confirmed the expression of ACAA1 and AGMAT in PT cells.Comparative analysis of pig and human kidneys revealed a high degree of similarity among corresponding cell types.Analysis of cell-type heterogeneity highlighted the diversity of thick ascending limb(TAL)cells,identifying a TAL subpopulation related to immune function.Additionally,the functional heterogeneity of kidney-resident macrophages(KRM)was explored across different anatomical sites.In the renal medulla,KRM were implicated in phagocytosis and leukocyte activation,whereas in the renal pelvis,they functioned as ligands,recruiting neutrophils with bactericidal activity to the renal pelvis to combat urinary tract infections.展开更多
Background This study investigated the effects of different non-starch polysaccharide(NSP)sources with NSP degrading enzymes(NSPases)and the influence on the mucosa-associated microbiota and intestinal immunity of nur...Background This study investigated the effects of different non-starch polysaccharide(NSP)sources with NSP degrading enzymes(NSPases)and the influence on the mucosa-associated microbiota and intestinal immunity of nursery pigs,on growth performance and carcass traits at market weight.Methods One hundred and sixty newly weaned pigs at 7.0±0.3 kg body weight(BW)were allotted in a 2×2 factorial with NSP sources and NSPases serving as factors.The 4 dietary treatments were:DDGS,corn distillers'dried grains with solubles as source of NSP;DDGS+NSPases(DDGS+),DDGS with xylanase at 0.01%,3,000 U/kg of feed andβ-mannanase at 0.05%,400 U/kg of feed;SHWB,soybean hulls and wheat bran replacing corn DDGS as the source of NSP;SHWB with NSPases(SHWB+),SHWB with xylanase at 0.01%,3,000 U/kg of feed andβ-mannanase at 0.05%,400 U/kg of feed.Pigs were fed for 37 d and housed in groups of 4 pigs per pen.At d 37,the median body weight pig in each pen was euthanized for sampling to analyze intestinal health parameters.Remaining pigs were fed a common diet for subsequent phases to evaluate the carryover effect on growth and carcass traits.Results The SHWB decreased(P<0.05)the relative abundance of Helicobacter,tended to increase(P=0.074)the relative abundance of Lactobacillus,increased(P<0.05)immunoglobulin G(IgG)in the jejunal mucosa,tended to increase(P=0.096)the villus height(VH)in the jejunum,and tended to improve ADG(P=0.099)and feed efficiency(P=0.068)during phase 1 compared to DDGS treatment.Supplementation of NSPases increased(P<0.05)Shannon index of diversity,increased the relative abundance of Streptococcus and Acinetobacter,and tended to increase(P=0.082)dry matter digestibility.The BW of pigs fed SHWB was more uniform(P<0.05)at the end of the 120 d study.Additionally,hot carcass weight of pigs fed SHWB tended to be more uniform(P=0.089)than DDGS treatment.Conclusion Soybean hulls and wheat bran replacing DDGS in nursery diets improved uniformity of pigs at market weight,which might be attributed to beneficial modulation of the mucosa-associated microbiota and enhanced intestinal morphology during the nursery phase.Supplementation of NSPases had beneficial effects on the intestinal mucosa-associated microbiota,digestibility,and intestinal immunity in SHWB treatment,whereas no carryover effects were overserved at market weight.展开更多
[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a compound Chinese herbal medicine pig gut microbiota and metabolic ecology.[Methods]Through 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and metabolomics,the ...[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a compound Chinese herbal medicine pig gut microbiota and metabolic ecology.[Methods]Through 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and metabolomics,the effects of administing a 5%compound mixture of Pseudostellaria heterophylla,Uncaria rhynchophylla and Lonicera japonica for 60 d on the intestinal microbiota and metabolites of three-way crossbred pigs were evaluated.[Results]The Chinese herbal medicine(CHM)group exhibited improvedα-diversity indices(Ace=541.22,Shannon=3.36,Simpson=0.10),though not significant(P>0.05),compared with the CK group(Ace=511.46,Shannon=2.75,Simpson=0.12).β-diversity analysis revealed a clear separation between the groups.At the phylum level,the overall differences in gut microbiota composition were minor.However,the CHM group showed a substantial increase in Bacteroidota in the cecum and a significant rise in Myxobacteria,which have anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity potential,suggesting a positive effect on intestinal health.Meanwhile,the CHM group exhibited 67 unique OTUs,higher than 27 in the CK group,primarily concentrated in the ileum and cecum.Additionally,metabolomic analysis revealed 210 unique metabolites in the CHM group,surpassing 77 in the CK group.A total of 653 metabolites showed significant changes,involving 11 metabolic pathways.Correlation analysis revealed that metabolites such as PC,PE,LysoPC,LysoPE and dehydrocarpaine were closely associated with microbiota.In the CHM group,key metabolites exhibited complex interactions with gut microbiota.Dehydrocarpaine showed positive correlations with probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.[Conclusions]These results demonstrated that CHM potentially enhanced pig gut health by improving microbial diversity and regulating metabolic networks,providing a scientific basis for further optimization of swine farming strategies.展开更多
Ferroptosis is a newly identified form of regulated cell death(RCD)characterized by iron overload and excessive lipid peroxidation.To date,numerous studies in human and mouse models have shown that ferroptosis is clos...Ferroptosis is a newly identified form of regulated cell death(RCD)characterized by iron overload and excessive lipid peroxidation.To date,numerous studies in human and mouse models have shown that ferroptosis is closely related to tissue damage and various diseases.In recent years,ferroptosis has also been found to play an indispensable and multifaceted role in infection and tissue injury in pigs,and nutritional regulation strategies targeting ferroptosis show great potential.In this review,we summarize the research progress of ferroptosis and its role in infection and tissue injury in pigs.Furthermore,we discuss the existing evidence on ferroptosis regulation by nutrients,aiming to provide valuable insights for future investigation into ferroptosis in pigs and offer a novel perspective for the treatment of infection and injury in pigs.展开更多
Background Monoglycerides have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional practices due to their biolog-ical activities,including antimicrobial properties.However,few studies have assessed the efficacy of mono...Background Monoglycerides have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional practices due to their biolog-ical activities,including antimicrobial properties.However,few studies have assessed the efficacy of monoglyceride blend on weaned pigs and their impacts on performance,immune response,and gut health using a disease chal-lenge model.Therefore,this study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary monoglycerides of short-and medium-chain fatty acids on the immunity and gut health of weaned pigs experimentally infected with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F18.Results Pigs supplemented with high-dose zinc oxide(ZNO)had greater(P<0.05)growth performance than other treatments,but no difference was observed in average daily feed intake between ZNO and monoglycerides groups during the post-challenge period.Pigs in ZNO and antibiotic groups had lower(P<0.05)severity of diarrhea than control,but the severity of diarrhea was not different between antibiotic and monoglycerides groups.Pigs fed with monoglycerides or ZNO had lower(P<0.05)serum haptoglobin on d 2 or 5 post-inoculation than control.Pigs in ZNO had greater(P<0.05)goblet cell numbers per villus,villus area and height,and villus height:crypt depth ratio(VH:CD)in duodenum on d 5 post-inoculation than pigs in other treatments.Pigs supplemented with monoglyc-erides,ZNO,or antibiotics had reduced(P<0.05)ileal crypt depth compared with control on d 5 post-inoculation,contributing to the increase(P=0.06)in VH:CD.Consistently,pigs in ZNO expressed the lowest(P<0.05)TNFa,IL6,IL10,IL12,IL1A,IL1B,and PTGS2 in ileal mucosa on d 5 post-inoculation,and no difference was observed in the expres-sion of those genes between ZNO and monoglycerides.Supplementation of ZNO and antibiotic had significant impacts on metabolic pathways in the serum compared with control,particularly on carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism,while limited impacts on serum metabolites were observed in monoglycerides group when compared with control.Conclusions The results suggest that supplementation of monoglyceride blend may enhance disease resist-ance of weaned pigs by alleviating the severity of diarrhea and mitigating intestinal and systemic inflammation,although the effectiveness may not be comparable to high-dose zinc oxide.展开更多
Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)has been utilized in China for thousands of years to treat and prevent various diseases,with recent research highlighting microRNAs(miRNAs)in herbal decoctions as key bioactive compone...Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)has been utilized in China for thousands of years to treat and prevent various diseases,with recent research highlighting microRNAs(miRNAs)in herbal decoctions as key bioactive components.The oral lyophilized powder of the pig spleen extracts(PAT)composed of oligonucleotides and peptides extracted from fresh pig spleen and delivered via a lipid mixture containing neutral cytidinyl lipid DNCA and cationic lipid CLD(Mix),has demonstrated significant antitumor effects against A549 and BCPAP cells,promoting early and late apoptosis by approximately 20%in A549 cells.Intratumoral administration of PAT/Mix in A549-bearing mice significantly reduced both tumor volume and weight.Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses suggested that PAT/Mix exerted its antitumor activity by silencing DEPDC1 mRNA in A549 cells,thereby influencing cellular processes and metabolic pathways.Additionally,PAT/Mix was found to promote the maturation of bone marrow dendritic cells(BMDCs),enhancing antigen processing and presentation.These findings indicated that PAT/Mix held promise as a therapeutic agent with both immunomodulatory and antitumor properties,owing not only to its peptide components but also to miRNAs,which played a critical therapeutic role.展开更多
Background Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(E.coli)is a threat to humans and animals that causes intestinal dis-orders.Antimicrobial resistance has urged alternatives,including Lactobacillus postbiotics,to mitigate th...Background Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(E.coli)is a threat to humans and animals that causes intestinal dis-orders.Antimicrobial resistance has urged alternatives,including Lactobacillus postbiotics,to mitigate the effects of enterotoxigenic E.coli.Methods Forty-eight newly weaned pigs were allotted to NC:no challenge/no supplement;PC:F18^(+)E.coli chal-lenge/no supplement;ATB:F18^(+)E.coli challenge/bacitracin;and LPB:F18^(+)E.coli challenge/postbiotics and fed diets for 28 d.On d 7,pigs were orally inoculated withF18^(+)E.coli.At d 28,the mucosa-associated microbiota,immune and oxidative stress status,intestinal morphology,the gene expression of pattern recognition receptors(PRR),and intestinal barrier function were measured.Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4.Results PC increased(P<0.05)Helicobacter mastomyrinus whereas reduced(P<0.05)Prevotella copri and P.ster-corea compared to NC.The LPB increased(P<0.05)P.stercorea and Dialister succinatiphilus compared with PC.The ATB increased(P<0.05)Propionibacterium acnes,Corynebacterium glutamicum,and Sphingomonas pseudosanguinis compared to PC.The PC tended to reduce(P=0.054)PGLYRP4 and increased(P<0.05)TLR4,CD14,MDA,and crypt cell proliferation compared with NC.The ATB reduced(P<0.05)NOD1 compared with PC.The LPB increased(P<0.05)PGLYRP4,and interferon-γand reduced(P<0.05)NOD1 compared with PC.The ATB and LPB reduced(P<0.05)TNF-αand MDA compared with PC.Conclusions TheF18^(+)E.coli challenge compromised intestinal health.Bacitracin increased beneficial bacteria show-ing a trend towards increasing the intestinal barrier function,possibly by reducing the expression of PRR genes.Lac-tobacillus postbiotics enhanced the immunocompetence of nursery pigs by increasing the expression of interferon-γand PGLYRP4,and by reducing TLR4,NOD1,and CD14.展开更多
Background Diets with high inclusion of corn co-products such as corn fermented protein(CFP)may contain excess Leu,which has a negative impact on feed intake and growth performance of pigs due to increased catabolism ...Background Diets with high inclusion of corn co-products such as corn fermented protein(CFP)may contain excess Leu,which has a negative impact on feed intake and growth performance of pigs due to increased catabolism of Val and Ile and reduced availability of Trp in the brain for serotonin synthesis.However,we hypothesized that the negative effect of using CFP in diets for weanling pigs may be overcome if diets are fortified with crystalline sources of Val,Trp,and(or)Ile.Methods Three hundred and twenty weanling pigs were randomly allotted to one of 10 dietary treatments in a com-pletely randomized design,with 4 pigs per pen and 8 replicate pens per treatment.A corn-soybean meal diet and 2 basal diets based on corn and 10%CFP or corn and 20%CFP were formulated.Seven additional diets were formu-lated by fortifying the basal diet with 20%CFP with Ile,Trp,Val,Ile and Val,Ile and Trp,Trp and Val,or Ile,Trp and Val.A two-phase feeding program was used,with d 1 to 14 being phase 1 and d 15 to 28 being phase 2.Fecal scores were recorded every other day.Blood samples were collected on d 14 and 28 from one pig per pen.On d 14,fecal samples were collected from one pig per pen in 3 of the 10 treatments to determine volatile fatty acids,ammonium concen-tration,and microbial protein.These pigs were also euthanized and ileal tissue was collected.Results There were no effects of dietary treatments on any of the parameters evaluated in phase 1.Inclusion of 10%or 20%CFP in diets reduced(P<0.05)final body weight on d 28,and average daily gain(ADG)and average daily feed intake(ADFI)in phase 2 and for the entire experimental period.However,pigs fed the CFP diet supplemented with Val,Ile,and Trp had final body weight,ADFI,ADG and gain to feed ratio in phase 2 and for the entire experiment that was not different from pigs fed the control diet.Fecal scores in phase 2 were reduced(P<0.05)if CFP was used.Conclusions Corn fermented protein may be included by up to 20%in diets for weanling pigs without affecting growth performance,gut health,or hindgut fermentation,if diets are fortified with extra Val,Trp,and Ile.Inclusion of CFP also improved fecal consistency of pigs.展开更多
Find It Why was the third pig the smartest?nee upon a time,three little pigs lived with their mother.One day,she told them,"You are big now.Go build homes and take care of yourselves."So,the three pigs left ...Find It Why was the third pig the smartest?nee upon a time,three little pigs lived with their mother.One day,she told them,"You are big now.Go build homes and take care of yourselves."So,the three pigs left and went to find places to live.The first little pig didn't like to work hard.He found some straw.展开更多
Dear Editor,Swinepox virus(SWPV)belongs to the family Poxviridae,subfamily Chordopoxvirinae,and genus Varicellovirus(Lefkowitz et al.,2018).It exhibits the typical brick-shaped morphology and envelope structure charac...Dear Editor,Swinepox virus(SWPV)belongs to the family Poxviridae,subfamily Chordopoxvirinae,and genus Varicellovirus(Lefkowitz et al.,2018).It exhibits the typical brick-shaped morphology and envelope structure characteristic of poxviruses.Its genome is a 146 kbp linear double-stranded DNA encoding approximately 150 genes(Moorkamp et al.,2008;Schwarz et al.,2024).SWPV is highly host-specific,infecting only domestic pigs and wild boars.Transmission occurs through direct contact with infectious scabs,congenital transmission,or mechanical transmission by arthropods such as pig lice and house flies.The disease is more likely to occur in pig farms with poor sanitation conditions(Borst et al.,1990;Jindal,2015;Kaiser et al.,2021;Kumar et al.,2023;Riyesh et al.,2016).展开更多
基金supported by Animal Nutrition,Eastman Chemical Company,Kingsport,TN,USA.
文摘Background The emergence of antibiotic resistant microorganisms associated with conventional swine production practices has increased interest in acid-based compounds having antimicrobial properties and other biological functions as nutritional interventions.Despite the interest in organic acids and monoglycerides,few studies have examined the effects of the combination of these acid-based additives in weaned pigs under disease challenge conditions.Therefore,this study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with blend of organic acids and/or medium-chain fatty acid monoglycerides on intestinal health and systemic immunity of weaned pigs experimentally infected with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)F18 at 4-week of age.Results Dietary supplementation of organic acids,monoglycerides,or both organic acids and monoglycerides(combination)reduced(P<0.05)the diarrhea frequency of ETEC F18-infected pigs throughout the experimental period(d−7 to 21 post-inoculation).This is consistent with the reduced(P<0.05)proportion ofβ-hemolytic coliforms in feces observed for the organic acid and combination treatments on d 10 post-inoculation.Supplementation of organic acids,monoglycerides,or combination also reduced(P<0.05)bacterial translocation in mesenteric lymph nodes on d 21 post-inoculation.Pigs fed with monoglycerides or combination had lower(P<0.05)white blood cells on d 5 post-inoculation,and pigs fed the combination also had lower(P<0.05)lymphocytes than pigs in control group.Monoglyceride supplementation increased(P<0.05)white blood cells and neutrophils compared with control group on d 14 post-inoculation.However,supplementation with organic acid blend,monoglyceride blend,or combination did not affect growth performance in this experiment.Conclusions Supplementation with monoglycerides or organic acids alone or in combination improves the detrimental effects of ETEC F18 infection in weaned pigs,as indicated by reduced diarrhea,fecal shedding ofβ-hemolytic coliforms,and bacterial translocation,and thus enhancing disease resistance.Monoglycerides reduced the inflammatory response during peak infection,but their immunomodulatory and possible synergistic effects with organic acids need to be further investigated.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program(No.2021YFD1300201)Jilin Provincial Department of Science and Technology Innovation Platform and Talent Special Project(No.20230508090RC).
文摘Background There is a growing focus on using various plant-derived agricultural by-products to increase the benefits of pig farming,but these feedstuffs are fibrous in nature.This study investigated the relationship between dietary fiber physicochemical properties and feedstuff fermentation characteristics and their effects on nutrient utilization,energy metabolism,and gut microbiota in growing pigs.Methods Thirty-six growing barrows(47.2±1.5 kg)were randomly allotted to 6 dietary treatments with 2 apparent viscosity levels and 3β-glucan-to-arabinoxylan ratios.In the experiment,nutrient utilization,energy metabolism,fecal microbial community,and production and absorption of short-chain fatty acid(SCFA)of pigs were investigated.In vitro digestion and fermentation models were used to compare the fermentation characteristics of feedstuffs and ileal digesta in the pig’s hindgut.Results The production dynamics of SCFA and dry matter corrected gas production of different feedstuffs during in vitro fermentation were different and closely related to the physical properties and chemical structure of the fiber.In animal experiments,increasing the dietary apparent viscosity and theβ-glucan-to-arabinoxylan ratios both increased the apparent ileal digestibility(AID),apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD),and hindgut digestibility of fiber components while decreasing the AID and ATTD of dry matter and organic matter(P<0.05).In addition,increasing dietary apparent viscosity andβ-glucan-to-arabinoxylan ratios both increased gas exchange,heat production,and protein oxidation,and decreased energy deposition(P<0.05).The dietary apparent viscosity andβ-glucanto-arabinoxylan ratios had linear interaction effects on the digestible energy,metabolizable energy,retained energy(RE),and net energy(NE)of the diets(P<0.05).At the same time,the increase of dietary apparent viscosity andβ-glucan-to-arabinoxylan ratios both increased SCFA production and absorption(P<0.05).Increasing the dietary apparent viscosity andβ-glucan-to-arabinoxylan ratios increased the diversity and abundance of bacteria(P<0.05)and the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria.Furthermore,increasing the dietaryβ-glucan-to-arabinoxylan ratios led to a linear increase in SCFA production during the in vitro fermentation of ileal digesta(P<0.001).Finally,the prediction equations for RE and NE were established.Conclusion Dietary fiber physicochemical properties alter dietary fermentation patterns and regulate nutrient utilization,energy metabolism,and pig gut microbiota composition and metabolites.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32372907)State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products(No.10417000023 CE0601G/004/002)。
文摘Background The composition and relative abundances of intestinal microbiota are closely related to animal growth,development and health.This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of intestinal fungi in pigs,with a focus on fungal alterations associated with diarrhea.Methods Intestinal digesta from duodenum,jejunum,ileum,cecum,colon and feces of 8 finishing pigs(180 days old)were collected.Fecal samples were also collected from 18 pigs across different growth stages,including lactation(3 d),nursery(26 d,35 d,49 d),growing(120 d)and finishing(180 d).Additionally,feces were collected from 32 diarrheal and 32 healthy piglets at 28 days old.Fungal community profiling in these samples was performed using internal transcribed spacer(ITS)sequencing.Results A total of 9,224 amplicon sequence variants(ASVs)were detected in all of 220 samples.Intestinal fungal diversity exhibited clear biogeographic patterns,with significantly lower richness and Shannon index in the ileum(P<0.05)and significantly higher richness in the large intestine and feces(P<0.05).The fungal community structure also varied significantly across intestinal segments,with Kazachstania dominating in the ileum and Geotrichum in the duodenum and jejunum.Across growth stages,fecal fungal diversity increased after weaning.PCoA results revealed that fungal structure exhibited significant temporal changes(R=0.7313,P=0.001),with the core fungal taxa dominated by Diutina catenulata,Aspergillus restrictus and Tahromyces munnarensis.In addition,by comparing the fungal community of piglets with and without diarrhea,the richness and Shannon index were significantly higher in the diarrheal piglets than those in healthy piglets(P<0.05)with Kazachstania,Diutina and Aspergillus enriched in diarrheal piglets and Geotrichum,Tahromyces and Piromyces in healthy piglets.Conclusions The intestinal fungal community in pigs shows distinct spatial variation,with greater diversity in the large intestine.Fungal composition shifts dynamically with age,particularly around the weaning transition.This study highlights specific fungal taxa associated with diarrhea caused by weaning stress,offering new insights into the interplay between gut fungi and pig health.
基金financial support for this research by AB Vista,Marlborough,UK,is greatly appreciated.
文摘Background Exogenous xylanase can increase utilization of fiber and energy when included in diets for pigs,and xylo-oligosaccharides(XOS)may improve growth performance of pigs by modulating intestinal fermentation.However,it is unclear if a stimbiotic(i.e.,a combination of xylanase and XOS)has superior effects compared with a xylanase alone,and there is a lack of data demonstrating if xylanase fed to lactating sows influences growth performance of weanling pigs.Therefore,two hypotheses were tested:1)xylanase and stimbiotic improve growth performance,apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD)of gross energy(GE)and total dietary fiber(TDF),digestible energy(DE),and intestinal health of weanling pigs and 2)offspring of sows fed xylanase in lactation have greater growth performance after weaning than offspring of sows fed no xylanase during lactation.Methods One hundred and twenty pigs were weaned from sows fed a diet without xylanase,and 120 pigs were weaned from sows fed a lactation diet containing 16,000 beechwood xylanase units per kg(initial weight:5.81±0.50 kg).Pigs were allotted to a 2×3 factorial with two sow groups(lactation diet without or with xylanase)and three dietary treatments(i.e.,control,control plus xylanase,or control plus stimbiotic).Results There were no interactions between sow treatment and post-weaning pig treatment,and sow treatment did not impact post-weaning growth or ATTD of GE and TDF in weaned pigs.From d 15 to 28 post-weaning,the ADG,G:F,ATTD of GE and TDF,and concentration of DE were greater(P<0.05)for pigs fed the diet with stimbiotic than if fed the xylanase diet or the control diet,and pigs fed the xylanase diet had greater(P<0.05)ADG,G:F,ATTD of GE and TDF,and concentration of DE than pigs fed the control diet.From d 29 to 42 post-weaning,pigs fed the diets with xylanase or stimbiotic had greater(P<0.05)ADG,ATTD of GE and TDF,and DE than pigs fed the control diet.Conclusions Pigs fed xylanase or stimbiotic had greater ATTD of GE and TDF,greater DE,and greater overall ADG,G:F,and final body weight on d 42 post-weaning than pigs fed the control diet,but feeding sows xylanase in lactation did not influence post-weaning growth performance.
基金Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China(U22A20517 and 32272906).
文摘Background The aim of this study was to investigate the role of necroptosis in deoxynivalenol(DON)-induced liver injury and inflammation in weaned piglets.Methods In Exp.1,12 weaned piglets were divided into 2 groups including pigs fed basal diet and pigs fed diet contaminated with 4 mg/kg DON for 21 d.In Exp.2,12 weaned piglets were divided into 2 groups including con-trol piglets and piglets given a gavage of 2 mg/kg body weight(BW)DON.In Exp.3,24 weaned piglets were used in a 2×2 factorial design and the main factors including necrostatin-1(Nec-1)(DMSO or 0.5 mg/kg BW Nec-1)and DON challenge(saline or 2 mg/kg BW DON gavage).On 21 d in Exp.1,or at 6 h post DON gavage in Exp.2 and 3,pigs were killed for blood samples and liver tissues.Liver histology,blood biochemical indicators,and liver inflamma-tion and necroptosis signals were tested.Results Dietary or oral gavage with DON caused liver morphological damage in piglets.Dietary DON led to hepato-cyte damage indicated by increased aspartate transaminase(AST)activity and AST/alanine aminotransferase(ALT)ratio,and DON gavage also caused hepatocyte damage and cholestasis indicated by increased AST and alkaline phosphatase(AKP)activities.Dietary DON caused liver necroptosis indicated by increased protein abundance of total receptor interacting protein kinase 3(t-RIP3)and total mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein(t-MLKL).Moreover,DON gavage increased mRNA expression of interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-1βin liver.DON gavage also induced liver necroptosis demonstrated by increased protein abundance of t-RIP3,phosphorylated-RIP3(p-RIP3),t-MLKL and p-MLKL.However,pretreatment with Nec-1,a specific inhibitor of necroptosis,inhibited liver necroptosis indi-cated by decreased protein expression of t-RIP3,p-RIP3,t-MLKL and p-MLKL.Nec-1 pretreatment reduced liver morphological damage after DON gavage.Pretreatment with Nec-1 also attenuated liver damage induced by DON indicated by decreased activities of AST and AKP.Furthermore,Nec-1 pretreatment inhibited liver mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-1βafter DON challenge.Conclusions Our data demonstrate for the first time that necroptosis contributes to DON-induced liver injury and inflammation in piglets.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFE0114400).
文摘Toxoplasma gondii(T.gondii)is a globally distributed parasite that can infect a diversity of warm-blooded animals,including swine and humans.Infection in swine poses a considerable threat to food safety and public health.The aim of this meta-analysis was to estimate the seroprevalence of T.gondii infection in the swine population in China from 2000 to 2023 and to examine potential factors associated with infection.A total of 112 studies were included,collectively involving 145,152 swine samples originating from 26 provinces.The pooled seroprevalence was 26.0%(95%CI:23.3%–28.7%).Stratified analysis based on diagnostic methods revealed that studies using the indirect hemagglutination assay(IHA)reported a seroprevalence of 19.7%(95%CI:17.2%–22.2%),whereas those utilizing the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)reported a higher seroprevalence of 35.5%(95%CI:29.1%–41.8%).Geographical analysis indicated higher seroprevalence in the South Central and Southwest regions,whereas the East and Northwest areas reported the lowest seroprevalence.Chongqing Province reported the highest seroprevalence,reaching 44.9%(95%CI:43.4%–46.0%),followed by Xinjiang,Hainan,and Guizhou,whereas the lowest was observed in Shandong Province(3.5%,95%CI:1.7%–6.1%).These findings provide important epidemiological evidence that can inform strategies for the prevention and control of T.gondii infection in swine populations,with a focus on high-risk populations and geographical areas.This imperative contributes substantially to the improvement of both food safety and public health.
基金Supported by the Scientific Research Project of Shanghai Municipal Health Commission(No.202140416)the Clinical Research Boosting Program of the Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine(No.JYLJ202117).
文摘AIM:To investigate the refractive and the histological changes in guinea pig eyes after posterior scleral reinforcement with scleral allografts.METHODS:Four-week-old guinea pigs were implanted with scleral allografts,and the changes of refraction,corneal curvature and axis length were monitored for 51d.The effects of methylprednisolone(MPS)on refraction parameters were also evaluated.And the microstructure and ultra-microstructure of eyes were observed on the 9d and 51d after operation.Repeated-measures analysis of variance and one-way analysis of variance were used.RESULTS:The refraction outcome of the implanted eye decreased after operation,and the refraction change of the 3 mm scleral allografts group was significantly different with control group(P=0.005)and the sham surgical group(P=0.004).After the application of MPS solution,the reduction of refraction outcome was statistically suppressed(P=0.008).The inflammatory encapsulation appeared 9d after surgery.On 51d after operation,the loose implanted materials were absorbed,while the adherent implanted materials with MPS group were still tightly attached to the recipient’s eyeball.CONCLUSION:After implantation of scleral allografts,the refraction of guinea pig eyes fluctuated from a decrease to an increase.The outcome of the scleral allografts is affected by implantation methods and the inflammatory response.Stability of the material can be improved by MPS.
基金supported by the National Centre for Research and Development TECHMATSTRATEG-Ⅲ/0027/2019,POWR.03.02.00-00-I006/17the IDUB UAM。
文摘Meniscus injuries are widespread and the available treatments do not offer enough healing potential.Here,we provide critical support for using pigs as a biological model for meniscal degeneration and the development of cutting-edge therapies in orthopedics.We present a single-cell transcriptome atlas of the meniscus,consisting of cell clusters corresponding to four major cell types:chondrocytes,endothelial cells,smooth muscle cells,and immune cells.Five distinct chondrocyte subclusters(CH0–CH4)were annotated,of which only one was widespread in both the red and white zones,indicating a major difference in the cellular makeup of the zones.Subclusters distinct to the white zone appear responsible for cartilage-specific matrix deposition and protection against adverse microenvironmental factors,while those in the red zone exhibit characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells and are more likely to proliferate and migrate.Additionally,they induce remodeling actions in other chondrocyte subclusters and promote the proliferation and maturation of endothelial cells,inducing healing and vascularization processes.Considering that they have substantial remodeling capabilities,these subclusters should be of great interest for tissue engineering studies.We also show that the cellular makeup of the pig meniscus is comparable to that of humans,which supports the use of pigs as a model in orthopedic therapy development.
基金supported by the specialized research fund from National Natural Science Foundation of China,Joint Fund for Regional Innovation Development(U21 A20249)National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs,China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA(CARS-35)National Key R&D Program of China(YFD1300702).
文摘Background Fat is a key component of body composition in both humans and animals,with intramuscular fat(IMF)being a critical determinant of pork quality.Higher IMF level enhances meat qualities such as flavor,tenderness,and juiciness,directly influencing consumer preference and market demand.Therefore,identifying microbial biomarkers associated with fat deposition is essential for improving meat quality in livestock and understanding how gut microbiota regulates host metabolism.Results In this study,we examined changes in meat quality,fat metabolism,and gut microbiota during the pig life cycle,from weaning to marketing.We found that Jinhua pig exhibited higher IMF content and marbling score,and higher α diversity of colonic microbial communities.Microbiome Multivariate Association with Linear Models was used to identify the core genera associated with age,breed,and feed,and Prevotella was found to respond to both age and breed factors.The correlation analysis of fat deposition indicators with microbial genera revealed that Prevotella was a potential biomarker in response to IMF.In addition,the P.stercorea DSM 18206(P.stercorea)was identified in porcine sample and administered to pseudo sterile mouse to examine the effect on IMF deposition.We found that the gavage of P.stercorea with alfalfa-enriched diet led to a significant increase in triglyceride(TG)and IMF contents in muscle.Metabolomic analysis further confirmed P.stercorea may potentially regulate fat deposition through the sphingolipid signaling pathway.Conclusions We identified P.stercorea as a potential biomarker linked to higher IMF deposition and validated their role in shaping the gut microbiota and promoting fat accumulation in a mouse model,which correlated with the sphingolipid signaling pathway.These findings provide valuable insights into the role of P.stercorea in regulating fat deposition and metabolic health,offering implications for improving both livestock meat quality and lipid metabolism in humans.
基金supported by the International Cooperation and Exchange Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32261133531)。
文摘The kidney is essential for maintaining fluid,electrolyte,and metabolite homeostasis,and for regulating blood pressure.The pig serves as a valuable biomedical model for human renal physiology,offering insights across different physiological states.In this study,single-cell RNA sequencing was used to profile 138469 cells from 12 pig kidney samples collected during the embryonic(E),fattening(F),and pregnancy(P)periods,identifying 29 cell types.Proximal tubule(PT)cells exhibited elevated expression of metabolism-related transcription factors(TFs),including GPD1,ACAA1,and AGMAT,with validation across multiple individuals,periods,and species.Fluorescence homologous double-labeling of paraffin sections further confirmed the expression of ACAA1 and AGMAT in PT cells.Comparative analysis of pig and human kidneys revealed a high degree of similarity among corresponding cell types.Analysis of cell-type heterogeneity highlighted the diversity of thick ascending limb(TAL)cells,identifying a TAL subpopulation related to immune function.Additionally,the functional heterogeneity of kidney-resident macrophages(KRM)was explored across different anatomical sites.In the renal medulla,KRM were implicated in phagocytosis and leukocyte activation,whereas in the renal pelvis,they functioned as ligands,recruiting neutrophils with bactericidal activity to the renal pelvis to combat urinary tract infections.
基金funded by North Carolina Agricultural Foundation(Raleigh,NC,USA)USDA-NIFA(Hatch#02893 and National Needs Fellowship#2019-38420-28970,Washington DC,USA)+1 种基金CJ Bio(Seoul,Korea)CTC Bio(Seoul,Korea)。
文摘Background This study investigated the effects of different non-starch polysaccharide(NSP)sources with NSP degrading enzymes(NSPases)and the influence on the mucosa-associated microbiota and intestinal immunity of nursery pigs,on growth performance and carcass traits at market weight.Methods One hundred and sixty newly weaned pigs at 7.0±0.3 kg body weight(BW)were allotted in a 2×2 factorial with NSP sources and NSPases serving as factors.The 4 dietary treatments were:DDGS,corn distillers'dried grains with solubles as source of NSP;DDGS+NSPases(DDGS+),DDGS with xylanase at 0.01%,3,000 U/kg of feed andβ-mannanase at 0.05%,400 U/kg of feed;SHWB,soybean hulls and wheat bran replacing corn DDGS as the source of NSP;SHWB with NSPases(SHWB+),SHWB with xylanase at 0.01%,3,000 U/kg of feed andβ-mannanase at 0.05%,400 U/kg of feed.Pigs were fed for 37 d and housed in groups of 4 pigs per pen.At d 37,the median body weight pig in each pen was euthanized for sampling to analyze intestinal health parameters.Remaining pigs were fed a common diet for subsequent phases to evaluate the carryover effect on growth and carcass traits.Results The SHWB decreased(P<0.05)the relative abundance of Helicobacter,tended to increase(P=0.074)the relative abundance of Lactobacillus,increased(P<0.05)immunoglobulin G(IgG)in the jejunal mucosa,tended to increase(P=0.096)the villus height(VH)in the jejunum,and tended to improve ADG(P=0.099)and feed efficiency(P=0.068)during phase 1 compared to DDGS treatment.Supplementation of NSPases increased(P<0.05)Shannon index of diversity,increased the relative abundance of Streptococcus and Acinetobacter,and tended to increase(P=0.082)dry matter digestibility.The BW of pigs fed SHWB was more uniform(P<0.05)at the end of the 120 d study.Additionally,hot carcass weight of pigs fed SHWB tended to be more uniform(P=0.089)than DDGS treatment.Conclusion Soybean hulls and wheat bran replacing DDGS in nursery diets improved uniformity of pigs at market weight,which might be attributed to beneficial modulation of the mucosa-associated microbiota and enhanced intestinal morphology during the nursery phase.Supplementation of NSPases had beneficial effects on the intestinal mucosa-associated microbiota,digestibility,and intestinal immunity in SHWB treatment,whereas no carryover effects were overserved at market weight.
基金Supported by Guizhou Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Project(QNYZZZ[2017]No.12,GZSZCYJSTX-04)2024 Quality Supervision and Sampling Project of Normal Temperature Semen for Breeding Pigs.
文摘[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a compound Chinese herbal medicine pig gut microbiota and metabolic ecology.[Methods]Through 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and metabolomics,the effects of administing a 5%compound mixture of Pseudostellaria heterophylla,Uncaria rhynchophylla and Lonicera japonica for 60 d on the intestinal microbiota and metabolites of three-way crossbred pigs were evaluated.[Results]The Chinese herbal medicine(CHM)group exhibited improvedα-diversity indices(Ace=541.22,Shannon=3.36,Simpson=0.10),though not significant(P>0.05),compared with the CK group(Ace=511.46,Shannon=2.75,Simpson=0.12).β-diversity analysis revealed a clear separation between the groups.At the phylum level,the overall differences in gut microbiota composition were minor.However,the CHM group showed a substantial increase in Bacteroidota in the cecum and a significant rise in Myxobacteria,which have anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity potential,suggesting a positive effect on intestinal health.Meanwhile,the CHM group exhibited 67 unique OTUs,higher than 27 in the CK group,primarily concentrated in the ileum and cecum.Additionally,metabolomic analysis revealed 210 unique metabolites in the CHM group,surpassing 77 in the CK group.A total of 653 metabolites showed significant changes,involving 11 metabolic pathways.Correlation analysis revealed that metabolites such as PC,PE,LysoPC,LysoPE and dehydrocarpaine were closely associated with microbiota.In the CHM group,key metabolites exhibited complex interactions with gut microbiota.Dehydrocarpaine showed positive correlations with probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.[Conclusions]These results demonstrated that CHM potentially enhanced pig gut health by improving microbial diversity and regulating metabolic networks,providing a scientific basis for further optimization of swine farming strategies.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(U22A20517).
文摘Ferroptosis is a newly identified form of regulated cell death(RCD)characterized by iron overload and excessive lipid peroxidation.To date,numerous studies in human and mouse models have shown that ferroptosis is closely related to tissue damage and various diseases.In recent years,ferroptosis has also been found to play an indispensable and multifaceted role in infection and tissue injury in pigs,and nutritional regulation strategies targeting ferroptosis show great potential.In this review,we summarize the research progress of ferroptosis and its role in infection and tissue injury in pigs.Furthermore,we discuss the existing evidence on ferroptosis regulation by nutrients,aiming to provide valuable insights for future investigation into ferroptosis in pigs and offer a novel perspective for the treatment of infection and injury in pigs.
文摘Background Monoglycerides have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional practices due to their biolog-ical activities,including antimicrobial properties.However,few studies have assessed the efficacy of monoglyceride blend on weaned pigs and their impacts on performance,immune response,and gut health using a disease chal-lenge model.Therefore,this study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary monoglycerides of short-and medium-chain fatty acids on the immunity and gut health of weaned pigs experimentally infected with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F18.Results Pigs supplemented with high-dose zinc oxide(ZNO)had greater(P<0.05)growth performance than other treatments,but no difference was observed in average daily feed intake between ZNO and monoglycerides groups during the post-challenge period.Pigs in ZNO and antibiotic groups had lower(P<0.05)severity of diarrhea than control,but the severity of diarrhea was not different between antibiotic and monoglycerides groups.Pigs fed with monoglycerides or ZNO had lower(P<0.05)serum haptoglobin on d 2 or 5 post-inoculation than control.Pigs in ZNO had greater(P<0.05)goblet cell numbers per villus,villus area and height,and villus height:crypt depth ratio(VH:CD)in duodenum on d 5 post-inoculation than pigs in other treatments.Pigs supplemented with monoglyc-erides,ZNO,or antibiotics had reduced(P<0.05)ileal crypt depth compared with control on d 5 post-inoculation,contributing to the increase(P=0.06)in VH:CD.Consistently,pigs in ZNO expressed the lowest(P<0.05)TNFa,IL6,IL10,IL12,IL1A,IL1B,and PTGS2 in ileal mucosa on d 5 post-inoculation,and no difference was observed in the expres-sion of those genes between ZNO and monoglycerides.Supplementation of ZNO and antibiotic had significant impacts on metabolic pathways in the serum compared with control,particularly on carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism,while limited impacts on serum metabolites were observed in monoglycerides group when compared with control.Conclusions The results suggest that supplementation of monoglyceride blend may enhance disease resist-ance of weaned pigs by alleviating the severity of diarrhea and mitigating intestinal and systemic inflammation,although the effectiveness may not be comparable to high-dose zinc oxide.
基金The Contract Grant from Zhejiang Fengan Biopharmaceutical Co.,Ltd,Zhejiang Province,China。
文摘Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)has been utilized in China for thousands of years to treat and prevent various diseases,with recent research highlighting microRNAs(miRNAs)in herbal decoctions as key bioactive components.The oral lyophilized powder of the pig spleen extracts(PAT)composed of oligonucleotides and peptides extracted from fresh pig spleen and delivered via a lipid mixture containing neutral cytidinyl lipid DNCA and cationic lipid CLD(Mix),has demonstrated significant antitumor effects against A549 and BCPAP cells,promoting early and late apoptosis by approximately 20%in A549 cells.Intratumoral administration of PAT/Mix in A549-bearing mice significantly reduced both tumor volume and weight.Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses suggested that PAT/Mix exerted its antitumor activity by silencing DEPDC1 mRNA in A549 cells,thereby influencing cellular processes and metabolic pathways.Additionally,PAT/Mix was found to promote the maturation of bone marrow dendritic cells(BMDCs),enhancing antigen processing and presentation.These findings indicated that PAT/Mix held promise as a therapeutic agent with both immunomodulatory and antitumor properties,owing not only to its peptide components but also to miRNAs,which played a critical therapeutic role.
文摘Background Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(E.coli)is a threat to humans and animals that causes intestinal dis-orders.Antimicrobial resistance has urged alternatives,including Lactobacillus postbiotics,to mitigate the effects of enterotoxigenic E.coli.Methods Forty-eight newly weaned pigs were allotted to NC:no challenge/no supplement;PC:F18^(+)E.coli chal-lenge/no supplement;ATB:F18^(+)E.coli challenge/bacitracin;and LPB:F18^(+)E.coli challenge/postbiotics and fed diets for 28 d.On d 7,pigs were orally inoculated withF18^(+)E.coli.At d 28,the mucosa-associated microbiota,immune and oxidative stress status,intestinal morphology,the gene expression of pattern recognition receptors(PRR),and intestinal barrier function were measured.Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4.Results PC increased(P<0.05)Helicobacter mastomyrinus whereas reduced(P<0.05)Prevotella copri and P.ster-corea compared to NC.The LPB increased(P<0.05)P.stercorea and Dialister succinatiphilus compared with PC.The ATB increased(P<0.05)Propionibacterium acnes,Corynebacterium glutamicum,and Sphingomonas pseudosanguinis compared to PC.The PC tended to reduce(P=0.054)PGLYRP4 and increased(P<0.05)TLR4,CD14,MDA,and crypt cell proliferation compared with NC.The ATB reduced(P<0.05)NOD1 compared with PC.The LPB increased(P<0.05)PGLYRP4,and interferon-γand reduced(P<0.05)NOD1 compared with PC.The ATB and LPB reduced(P<0.05)TNF-αand MDA compared with PC.Conclusions TheF18^(+)E.coli challenge compromised intestinal health.Bacitracin increased beneficial bacteria show-ing a trend towards increasing the intestinal barrier function,possibly by reducing the expression of PRR genes.Lac-tobacillus postbiotics enhanced the immunocompetence of nursery pigs by increasing the expression of interferon-γand PGLYRP4,and by reducing TLR4,NOD1,and CD14.
基金Financial support for this research from Minnesota Corn Growers Association(Burnsville,MN,USA)Green Plains Energy(Omaha,NE,USA)is greatly appreciated.
文摘Background Diets with high inclusion of corn co-products such as corn fermented protein(CFP)may contain excess Leu,which has a negative impact on feed intake and growth performance of pigs due to increased catabolism of Val and Ile and reduced availability of Trp in the brain for serotonin synthesis.However,we hypothesized that the negative effect of using CFP in diets for weanling pigs may be overcome if diets are fortified with crystalline sources of Val,Trp,and(or)Ile.Methods Three hundred and twenty weanling pigs were randomly allotted to one of 10 dietary treatments in a com-pletely randomized design,with 4 pigs per pen and 8 replicate pens per treatment.A corn-soybean meal diet and 2 basal diets based on corn and 10%CFP or corn and 20%CFP were formulated.Seven additional diets were formu-lated by fortifying the basal diet with 20%CFP with Ile,Trp,Val,Ile and Val,Ile and Trp,Trp and Val,or Ile,Trp and Val.A two-phase feeding program was used,with d 1 to 14 being phase 1 and d 15 to 28 being phase 2.Fecal scores were recorded every other day.Blood samples were collected on d 14 and 28 from one pig per pen.On d 14,fecal samples were collected from one pig per pen in 3 of the 10 treatments to determine volatile fatty acids,ammonium concen-tration,and microbial protein.These pigs were also euthanized and ileal tissue was collected.Results There were no effects of dietary treatments on any of the parameters evaluated in phase 1.Inclusion of 10%or 20%CFP in diets reduced(P<0.05)final body weight on d 28,and average daily gain(ADG)and average daily feed intake(ADFI)in phase 2 and for the entire experimental period.However,pigs fed the CFP diet supplemented with Val,Ile,and Trp had final body weight,ADFI,ADG and gain to feed ratio in phase 2 and for the entire experiment that was not different from pigs fed the control diet.Fecal scores in phase 2 were reduced(P<0.05)if CFP was used.Conclusions Corn fermented protein may be included by up to 20%in diets for weanling pigs without affecting growth performance,gut health,or hindgut fermentation,if diets are fortified with extra Val,Trp,and Ile.Inclusion of CFP also improved fecal consistency of pigs.
文摘Find It Why was the third pig the smartest?nee upon a time,three little pigs lived with their mother.One day,she told them,"You are big now.Go build homes and take care of yourselves."So,the three pigs left and went to find places to live.The first little pig didn't like to work hard.He found some straw.
基金supported by National Key R&D Program of China(2021YFD1800300 and 2022YFD1800800)National Natural Science Foundation of China(32072841).
文摘Dear Editor,Swinepox virus(SWPV)belongs to the family Poxviridae,subfamily Chordopoxvirinae,and genus Varicellovirus(Lefkowitz et al.,2018).It exhibits the typical brick-shaped morphology and envelope structure characteristic of poxviruses.Its genome is a 146 kbp linear double-stranded DNA encoding approximately 150 genes(Moorkamp et al.,2008;Schwarz et al.,2024).SWPV is highly host-specific,infecting only domestic pigs and wild boars.Transmission occurs through direct contact with infectious scabs,congenital transmission,or mechanical transmission by arthropods such as pig lice and house flies.The disease is more likely to occur in pig farms with poor sanitation conditions(Borst et al.,1990;Jindal,2015;Kaiser et al.,2021;Kumar et al.,2023;Riyesh et al.,2016).
