Early social contact alters the community structure and functions of the faecal microbiome in suckling-growing piglets

• Published in: Animal (Cambridge, England) England), 2021-12, Vol.15 (12), p.100393-100393, Article 100393
• Main Authors: Bi, Y.J., Liu, R.Z., Ji, W.B., Wei, H.D., Pan, L., Li, J.H., Li, X., Zhang, R.X., Liu, H.G., Bao, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 16S rRNA sequencing; Animal Feed - analysis; Animals; Continuous social contact; Feces; Female; Functional pathway; Microbial community; Microbiota; Pig; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S - genetics; Swine; Weaning
• ISSN: 1751-7311; 1751-732X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100393

Social contact during suckling, in an enriched social environment, can reduce the aggressive behaviours of piglets during regrouping at weaning, and improve their production performance and welfare. The aim of this study was to determine the possible impact of suckling social contact on gut microbes. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing to measure the faecal microbial structure and function in piglets experiencing social contact. Eighteen-litter piglets were allocated to two treatments: an early continuous social contact (CSC) group where piglets from adjacent pens shared a mutual pen starting at 14 days postpartum and a control (CON) group where piglets had no contact with individuals from adjacent pens during the suckling period. The piglets were regrouped at 36 days of age. The litter weights at 35 and 63 days of age were measured. Faecal samples were randomly collected at 16, 35, 42, and 63 days of age and faecal DNA was determined. The results showed that the litter weight of piglets in the CSC group was significantly decreased at 63 days compared with the CON group. Continuous social contact also significantly decreased the microbial richness at 16 and 35 days of age (P  3, P