title: Effect of dietary protein supply originating from soybean meal or casein on the intestinal microbiota of piglets.
abstract: Dietary composition is a major factor influencing the intestinal microbial ecosystem of pigs. To alleviate weaning-associated disorders, variations in dietary protein supply may beneficially affect microbial composition in the gastrointestinal tract of piglets. A total of 48 piglets, fitted with simple ileal T-cannulas, was used to examine the effect of protein supply of either highly digestible casein or less digestible, fiber-rich soybean meal (SBM) on the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Gene copies of 7 bacteria groups were determined by real-time PCR in ileal digesta and feces. Ileal counts of total eubacteria, the Bacteroides-Prevotella-Porphyromonas group, Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium Cluster XIVa were higher (P < 0.001) in the casein-based diets. Fecal counts of all analyzed bacterial groups were higher for the SBM-based diets (P < 0.001), apart from Enterobacteriaceae (P < 0.05) which were higher in the casein-based diets. Ileal counts of lactobacilli linearly increased as the crude protein level was increased up to 335 g/kg (P < 0.01). The Bacteroides-Prevotella-Porphyromonas group linearly decreased in ileal samples (P < 0.01) and increased in fecal samples (P < 0.05) as the crude protein level in the SBM-based diet was increased. Both, protein level and protein source may affect intestinal microbial balance. Higher dietary protein levels in combination with diets low in fiber contents might stimulate proliferation of protein fermenting bacteria in piglet's large intestine. Further studies are warranted to clarify, whether this would be associated with intestinal disturbances.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 8, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Vanessa T S
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Rist
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 8, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 8, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Nadja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 8, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany. Electronic address: rainer.mosenthin@uni-hohenheim.de.
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mosenthin
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 8, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Meike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eklund
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D058491:Bacterial Load; D058448:Biota; D002364:Caseins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D007082:Ileum / Q000382:microbiology*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013025:Glycine max / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D002364:Caseins; D004044:Dietary Proteins
keywords: ADF; Bacteroides group; Bacteroides–Prevotella–Porphyromonas group; CP; DM; GIT; Intestinal microbiota; NDF; NDO; PWD; Piglet; Protein level; Protein source; SBM; acid detergent fiber; crude protein; dry matter; gastrointestinal tract; neutral detergent fiber; nondigestible oligosaccharides; post-weaning diarrhea; soybean meal