Weaning differentially affects the maturation of piglet peripheral blood and jejunal Peyer’s patches

Abstract

The study aimed to assess how the post-weaning condition changes piglet peripheral blood (PB) and jejunal Peyer’s patches (JPPs) as compared to the suckling period, and how these changes are associated with intestinal microbiota evolution. Sixteen pigs were slaughtered and sampled for PB, JPPs and jejunal content (JC) at weaning (26 days) or at 12 days fed on a pre-starter diet. The PB and JPP transcriptomes were analysed using mRNA-seq. The Gene Set Enrichment Analysis was used to demonstrate enriched gene clusters, depending on sampling time. Jejunal microbiota was profiled using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Post-weaning JPPs were enriched for processes related to the activation of IFN-γ and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen processing which clustered with the reduced abundance of the Weisella genus and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in JC. The post-weaning microbiome differed from that seen in just-weaned pigs. For just-weaned PB, the enrichment of genes related to hemoglobin and the iron metabolism indicated the greater presence of reticulocytes and immature erythrocytes. The JPP genes involved in the I MHC and IFN-γ activations were markers of the post-weaning phase. Several genes attributable to reticulocyte and erythrocyte maturation could be interesting for testing the iron nutrition of piglets.

Evaluation of a Plant-Based Infant Formula Containing Almonds and Buckwheat on Gut Microbiota Composition, Intestine Morphology, Metabolic and Immune Markers in a Neonatal Piglet Model

“…The intestinal microbiota profiling of the dairy-based formula-fed piglets in this present study are in accordance with previous studies that demonstrated that nursing piglets had higher abundance of Bacteroides, which utilize milk oligosaccharides as substrates [ 33 , 34 ]. Postnatal conditions can also affect the gastrointestinal tract development [ 35 , 36 ]. Therefore, we analyzed the gut morphology of both large and small intestinal regions.…”

Proteomic changes associated with maternal dietary low ω6:ω3 ratio in piglets supplemented with seaweed Part II: Ileum proteomes

“…This process is essential to ensure an effective barrier function of the small intestine [2] and to progressively educate the mucosal immune system upon the antigenic challenge for health and normal growth maintenance [3]. Piglets in this critical phase must be well-equipped to protect the intestines and immune development, preventing an excessive reduction in feed consumption, intestinal inflammation, and dysbiosis [4].…”