Gut microbiota developmental trajectories in min and DLY pigs during lactation and nursery stages and the alleviation of ETEC-induced diarrhea by fecal microbiota transplantation
4 affiliations
- 1College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University
- 2Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, Department of Food Science, Northeast Agricultural University
- 3National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University
- 4Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, Northeast Agricultural University
Abstract
Introduction: The gut microbiota plays a vital role in porcine growth, intestinal barrier function, and disease resistance, yet the influence of host genetics on microbiota development and breed-specific phenotypes remains unclear. This study investigated gut microbiota dynamics in genetically distinct pig breeds and evaluated the functional impact of breed-specific microbiota on intestinal health.
Methods: A total of 76 healthy 3-day-old piglets from Min pigs and Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) pigs were monitored from day 3 to day 49. Microbiota composition was analyzed at eight developmental stages using high-resolution 2bRAD-M sequencing. Intestinal tissues were collected at day 49 for spatial microbiota profiling and barrier function assessment. Additionally, twelve 21-day-old DLY piglets were assigned to control, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 challenge, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) groups to evaluate the protective effects of Min pig microbiota.
Results: Significant breed-specific differences were observed in microbial composition, developmental trajectories, and ecological succession patterns. Min pigs exhibited higher microbial diversity and greater community stability during early weaning compared to DLY pigs, accompanied by improved intestinal barrier integrity and reduced diarrhea incidence. FMT from Min pigs significantly enhanced microbial diversity, strengthened intestinal barrier function, and alleviated diarrhea following ETEC challenge.
Discussion: These findings demonstrate that host genetics shapes gut microbiota development, influencing intestinal health and disease resistance. Microbiota derived from Min pigs confers protective effects against enteric infection, highlighting its potential as a microbial resource to improve gut health in commercial pig production.
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BibTeX
@article{xie2026microbiota,
title = {{Gut microbiota developmental trajectories in min and DLY pigs during lactation and nursery stages and the alleviation of ETEC-induced diarrhea by fecal microbiota transplantation}},
author = {Weichun Xie and Zhuoran Li and Jinru Lin and Huitao Bai and Jiaxuan Li and Wen Cui and Yanping Jiang and Baifen Song and Xiaona Wang and Lijie Tang},
journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1939230},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1939230/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Gut microbiota developmental trajectories in min and DLY pigs during lactation and nursery stages and the alleviation of ETEC-induced diarrhea by fecal microbiota transplantation
AU - Weichun Xie
AU - Zhuoran Li
AU - Jinru Lin
AU - Huitao Bai
AU - Jiaxuan Li
AU - Wen Cui
AU - Yanping Jiang
AU - Baifen Song
AU - Xiaona Wang
AU - Lijie Tang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1939230
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1939230/full
AB - Introduction: The gut microbiota plays a vital role in porcine growth, intestinal barrier function, and disease resistance, yet the influence of host genetics on microbiota development and breed-specific phenotypes remains unclear. This study investigated gut microbiota dynamics in genetically distinct pig breeds and evaluated the functional impact of breed-specific microbiota on intestinal health. Methods: A total of 76 healthy 3-day-old piglets from Min pigs and Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) pigs were monitored from day 3 to day 49. Microbiota composition was analyzed at eight developmental stages using high-resolution 2bRAD-M sequencing. Intestinal tissues were collected at day 49 for spatial microbiota profiling and barrier function assessment. Additionally, twelve 21-day-old DLY piglets were assigned to control, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 challenge, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) groups to evaluate the protective effects of Min pig microbiota. Results: Significant breed-specific differences were observed in microbial composition, developmental trajectories, and ecological succession patterns. Min pigs exhibited higher microbial diversity and greater community stability during early weaning compared to DLY pigs, accompanied by improved intestinal barrier integrity and reduced diarrhea incidence. FMT from Min pigs significantly enhanced microbial diversity, strengthened intestinal barrier function, and alleviated diarrhea following ETEC challenge. Discussion: These findings demonstrate that host genetics shapes gut microbiota development, influencing intestinal health and disease resistance. Microbiota derived from Min pigs confers protective effects against enteric infection, highlighting its potential as a microbial resource to improve gut health in commercial pig production.
SN - 1664-302X
ER -