Short Administration of Combined Prebiotics Improved Microbial Colonization, Gut Barrier, and Growth Performance of Neonatal Piglets

[Image: see text] This study was conducted to investigate the effects of short administration with the combination (GMF) of galactooligosaccharides (GOS), milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on microbiota, intestinal barriers, and growth performance of neonatal piglets. Sixteen newborn piglets were divided into two groups: GMF group and CON group; GMF solution (5 mL) and saline (5 mL) were, respectively, administered to piglets in the GMF group and CON group once a day during the first week after birth. The results showed that GMF administration improved the growth performance of neonatal piglets on day 8 and day 21, coupled with the enriched genus Lactobacillus on day 8 and the increased genera norank_f__Muribaculaceae, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Enterococcus, and Romboutsia on day 21. Additionally, GMF administration increased luminal acetate and propionate levels, upregulated the gene expressions of intestinal tight junctions (Occludin, Claudins, and ZO-1), mucins (Mucin-1, Mucin-2, Mucin-4, and Mucin-20), and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-22) while decreased the plasma diamine oxidase (DAO) level on day 21. The correlation analysis showed a positive relationship between the colonized beneficial microbiota and the modified intestinal barrier genes. In conclusion, the first week administration of GMF facilitated the colonization of beneficial bacteria, promoted intestinal development by enhancing microbiota-associated intestinal barrier functions, and improved the growth performance of the piglets during the whole neonatal period. Our findings provide guidelines for combined prebiotics application in modulating the microbial colonization and intestinal development of the neonates.