Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Oxidative Status by ?-Carotene in Late Pregnant Sows.
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ABSTRACT: Recent evidences suggest that gut microbiota plays an important role in regulating physiological and metabolic activities of pregnant sows, and ?-carotene has a potentially positive effect on reproduction, but the impact of ?-carotene on gut microbiota in pregnant sows remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanisms of ?-carotene on the reproductive performance of sows from the aspect of gut microbiota. A total of 48 hybrid pregnant sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) with similar parity were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 16) and fed with a basal diet or a diet containing 30 or 90 mg/kg of ?-carotene from day 90 of gestation until parturition. Dietary supplementation of 30 or 90 mg/kg ?-carotene increased the number of live birth to 11.82 ± 1.54 and 12.29 ± 2.09, respectively, while the control group was 11.00 ± 1.41 (P = 0.201). Moreover, ?-carotene increased significantly the serum nitric oxide (NO) level and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity (P < 0.05). Characterization of fecal microbiota revealed that 90 mg/kg ?-carotene increased the diversity of the gut flora (P < 0.05). In particular, ?-carotene decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes including Lachnospiraceae AC2044 group, Lachnospiraceae NK4B4 group and Ruminococcaceae UCG-008, but enriched Proteobacteria including Bilophila and Sutterella, and Actinobacteria including Corynebacterium and Corynebacterium 1 which are related to NO synthesis. These data demonstrated that dietary supplementation of ?-carotene may increase antioxidant enzyme activity and NO, an important vasodilator to promote the neonatal blood circulation, through regulating gut microbiota in sows.
SUBMITTER: Yuan X
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7768031 | biostudies-literature | 2020
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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