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Impact of Intestinal Microbiota on Growth and Feed Efficiency in Pigs: A Review
Gardiner, Gillian E. Metzler-Zebeli, Barbara U. Lawlor, Peadar G.
Gardiner, Gillian E.
Metzler-Zebeli, Barbara U.
Lawlor, Peadar G.
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2020-11-28
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Gardiner GE, Metzler-Zebeli BU, Lawlor PG. Impact of Intestinal Microbiota on Growth and Feed Efficiency in Pigs: A Review. Microorganisms 2020;8(12):1886. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8121886
Abstract
This review summarises the evidence for a link between the porcine intestinal microbiota
and growth and feed e ciency (FE), and suggests microbiota-targeted strategies to improve
productivity. However, there are challenges in identifying reliable microbial predictors of host
phenotype; environmental factors impact the microbe–host interplay, sequential di erences along
the intestine result in segment-specific FE- and growth-associated taxa/functionality, and it is often
di cult to distinguish cause and e ect. However, bacterial taxa involved in nutrient processing
and energy harvest, and those with anti-inflammatory e ects, are consistently linked with improved
productivity. In particular, evidence is emerging for an association of Treponema and methanogens
such as Methanobrevibacter in the small and large intestines and Lactobacillus in the large intestine with
a leaner phenotype and/or improved FE. Bacterial carbohydrate and/or lipid metabolism pathways
are also generally enriched in the large intestine of leaner pigs and/or those with better growth/FE.
Possible microbial signalling routes linked to superior growth and FE include increased intestinal
propionate production and reduced inflammatory response. In summary, the bacterial taxa and/or
metabolic pathways identified here could be used as biomarkers for FE/growth in pigs, the taxa
exploited as probiotics or the taxa/functionality manipulated via dietary/breeding strategies in order
to improve productivity in pigs.