TY - JOUR
T1 - Impact of yeast-derived β-glucans on the porcine gut microbiota and immune system in early life
AU - de Vries, Hugo
AU - Geervliet, Mirelle
AU - Jansen, Christine A.
AU - Rutten, Victor P.M.G.
AU - van Hees, Hubèrt
AU - Groothuis, Natalie
AU - Wells, Jerry M.
AU - Savelkoul, Huub F.J.
AU - Tijhaar, Edwin
AU - Smidt, Hauke
PY - 2020/10/1
Y1 - 2020/10/1
N2 - Piglets are susceptible to infections in early life and around weaning due to rapid environmental and dietary changes. A compelling target to improve pig health in early life is diet, as it constitutes a pivotal determinant of gut microbial colonization and maturation of the host’s immune system. In the present study, we investigated how supplementation of yeast-derived β-glucans affects the gut microbiota and immune function pre-and post-weaning, and how these complex systems develop over time. From day two after birth until two weeks after weaning, piglets received yeast-derived β-glucans or a control treatment orally and were subsequently vaccinated against Salmonella Typhimurium. Faeces, digesta, blood, and tissue samples were collected to study gut microbiota composition and immune function. Overall, yeast-derived β-glucans did not affect the vaccination response, and only modest effects on faecal microbiota composition and immune parameters were observed, primarily before weaning. This study demonstrates that the pre-weaning period offers a ‘window of opportunity’ to alter the gut microbiota and immune system through diet. However, the observed changes were modest, and any long-lasting effects of yeast-derived β-glucans remain to be elucidated.
AB - Piglets are susceptible to infections in early life and around weaning due to rapid environmental and dietary changes. A compelling target to improve pig health in early life is diet, as it constitutes a pivotal determinant of gut microbial colonization and maturation of the host’s immune system. In the present study, we investigated how supplementation of yeast-derived β-glucans affects the gut microbiota and immune function pre-and post-weaning, and how these complex systems develop over time. From day two after birth until two weeks after weaning, piglets received yeast-derived β-glucans or a control treatment orally and were subsequently vaccinated against Salmonella Typhimurium. Faeces, digesta, blood, and tissue samples were collected to study gut microbiota composition and immune function. Overall, yeast-derived β-glucans did not affect the vaccination response, and only modest effects on faecal microbiota composition and immune parameters were observed, primarily before weaning. This study demonstrates that the pre-weaning period offers a ‘window of opportunity’ to alter the gut microbiota and immune system through diet. However, the observed changes were modest, and any long-lasting effects of yeast-derived β-glucans remain to be elucidated.
KW - Early life
KW - Gastro-intestinal tract
KW - Gut microbiota
KW - Immune system
KW - Porcine
KW - β-glucans
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85092644362&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/microorganisms8101573
DO - 10.3390/microorganisms8101573
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85092644362
SN - 2076-2607
VL - 8
JO - Microorganisms
JF - Microorganisms
IS - 10
M1 - 1573
ER -