Effects of Maternal Low-Protein Diet on Microbiota Structure and Function in the Jejunum of Huzhu Bamei Suckling Piglets

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In mammals, the intestine is the main organ where nutrients are digested and absorbed, thus serving a central role in the growth and health of animals. Low-protein diets are based on the “ideal amino acid” theory, where AA crystals are added to ensure the amino acid balance of the diet. As a result, the amino acid nutritional needs of piglets are reduced along with the total protein level of the diet as well as the metabolic burden of piglets. This typically results in reduced diarrhea and improved gut health. In this study, the microbial composition and function of jejunum chyme samples were analyzed from 30 Huzhu Bamei suckling piglets from sows fed diets with different protein levels via16S rRNA sequencing and bioinformatics. This work provides a theoretical basis for the production of low-protein diets for use in the production of Bamei pigs. ABSTRACT: The jejunum is the primary organ for digestion and nutrient absorption in mammals. The development of the jejunum in suckling piglets directly affects their growth performance post-weaning. The jejunum microbiome plays an important role in proliferation, metabolism, apoptosis, immune, and homeostasis of the epithelial cells within the organ. The composition and diversity of the gut microbiome is susceptible to the protein composition of the diet. Therefore, the effects of maternal low-protein diets on piglets’ intestinal microbial structure and function have become a hot topic of study. Herein, a maternal low-protein diet was formulated to explore the effects on jejunum microbiome composition and metabolic profiles in Bamei suckling piglets. Using 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) sequencing in conjunction with bioinformatics analysis, 21 phyla and 297 genera were identified within the gut microflora. The top 10 phyla and 10 genera are within the gut bacteria. Next, KEGG analysis showed that the low-protein diet significantly increased the gut microbial composition, transport and catabolism, immune system, global and overview maps, amino acid metabolism, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, endocrine system, biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites, signal transduction, environmental adaptation, and cell motility. Taken together, low-protein diets do not appear to affect the reproductive performance of Bamei sows but improved the gut microbiome of the suckling piglets as well as reduced the probability of diarrhea. The data presented here provide new insights on the dietary protein requirements to support the Huzhu Bamei pig industry.