Rotsaert Chloë, Minnebo Yorick, Duysburgh Cindy, Liu LinShu, Mahalak Karley K, Firrman Jenni, Mattei Lisa M, Moustafa Ahmed M, Bittinger Kyle, Hu Weiming, Marzorati Massimo, Michiels Joris, Van de Wiele Tom
ProDigest BV, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Frieda Saeysstraat 1, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
J Anim Sci. 2025 Jan 4;103. doi: 10.1093/jas/skaf107.
The increased attention toward the role of the gut microbiome in health and disease for both animals and humans has fueled the demand for more relevant and accurate research models. In this study, we present an overview of biochemical and microbial parameters measured throughout the digestive tract of ten TopigsNorsvin × German Piétrain piglets to better understand the in vivo dynamics of digestive and fermentative processes in different gastrointestinal segments, as pigs are suggested to be a representative animal model for the human gastrointestinal tract. Our key findings include region-specific and significantly differing (P < 0.001) pH profiles, with the stomach having the lowest pH (3.36 ± 0.72) and the ileum the highest (7.24 ± 0.18). Dry matter content also varied significantly (P < 0.001), with the stomach having the highest (27.8 ± 2.4%) and the duodenum the lowest (10.6 ± 0.7%). The average total transit time was 12 hr and 45 min ± 1 h and 42 min. Enzyme activities (pepsin, trypsin, amylase) showed interindividual differences. Amino acid levels varied among piglets, with total concentrations averaging 7.04 × 102 ± 2.29 × 102 µg mL-1 in the duodenum, 1.19 × 103 ± 2.69 × 102 µg mL-1 in the jejunum and 9.39 × 102 ± 2.54 × 102 µg mL-1 in the ileum. Bile acid concentrations varied strongly between piglets, with high levels in the gall bladder and varying levels throughout the digestive tract. Short-chain fatty acid concentrations increased significantly (P < 0.001) along the digestive tract, with the highest levels in the large intestine. The microbial load increased consistently (P < 0.001) along the digestive tract, with the highest loads in the rectum (6.82 × 1010 ± 2.88 × 1010 cells mL-1). The highest microbial diversity was observed in the lower intestine (i.e., caecum, colon and rectum), with significant shifts in microbial community composition, especially from the ileum to the caecum. This study provides valuable insights into the digestive and microbiological parameters of the porcine gut, confirming the pig's relevance as a model for gastrointestinal research. The findings can inform the development of in vitro or ex vivo models, reducing ethical constraints of animal studies and aiding in the assessment of dietary interventions on gut health.
对肠道微生物群在动物和人类健康与疾病中作用的关注度不断提高，推动了对更相关、更准确研究模型的需求。在本研究中，我们概述了在10头托佩克诺丁×德国皮特兰仔猪整个消化道中测量的生化和微生物参数，以便更好地了解不同胃肠道段消化和发酵过程的体内动态，因为猪被认为是人类胃肠道的代表性动物模型。我们的主要发现包括特定区域且差异显著（P<0.001）的pH值分布，胃的pH值最低（3.36±0.72），回肠最高（7.24±0.18）。干物质含量也有显著差异（P<0.001），胃中最高（27.8±2.4%），十二指肠最低（10.6±0.7%）。平均总转运时间为12小时45分钟±1小时42分钟。酶活性（胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶）存在个体差异。仔猪之间氨基酸水平各不相同，十二指肠中总浓度平均为7.04×102±2.29×102µg mL-1，空肠中为1.19×103±2.69×102µg mL-1，回肠中为9.39×102±2.54×102µg mL-1。胆汁酸浓度在仔猪之间差异很大，胆囊中含量高，在整个消化道中含量各不相同。短链脂肪酸浓度沿消化道显著增加（P<0.001），在大肠中含量最高。微生物负荷沿消化道持续增加（P<0.001），直肠中负荷最高（6.82×1010±2.88×1010个细胞/mL）。在肠道下部（即盲肠、结肠和直肠）观察到最高的微生物多样性，微生物群落组成有显著变化，尤其是从回肠到盲肠。本研究为猪肠道的消化和微生物参数提供了有价值的见解，证实了猪作为胃肠道研究模型的相关性。这些发现可为体外或离体模型的开发提供信息，减少动物研究的伦理限制，并有助于评估饮食干预对肠道健康的影响。
