Increased Proportion of Fiber-Degrading Microbes and Enhanced Cecum Development Jointly Promote Host To Digest Appropriate High-Fiber Diets
Guang Pu, Liming Hou, Taoran Du, Wuduo Zhou, Chenxi Liu, Peipei Niu, Chengwu Wu, Wenbin Bao, Ruihua Huang, Pinghua Li
Abstract
Although studies about the effects of dietary fiber on fiber digestion and intestinal microbiota of pigs were widely in progress, few studies have been conducted on the dynamic response of intestinal microbiota to dietary fiber levels, and the characteristics of intestinal microbiota and intestinal epithelial development adapted to high-fiber diet s were still unclear. Appropriate high fiber promoted the thickness of large intestine wall, increased the density of cecal goblet cells, and promoted the renewal of cecal epithelial cells. In addition, appropriate high fiber improves the microbial abundance with fiber-digesting potential. However, excessive dietary fiber caused an increase in the abundance of pathogenic bacteria. These results indicated that an increased proportion of fiber-degrading microbes and enhanced intestinal development jointly promote host to digest appropriate high-fiber diets. However, although too-high fiber levels in diet could maintain the adaptive development of cecal epithelium, the proportions of pathogenic bacteria increased, which might lead to a decrease of fiber digestion in pigs. Our data provided a theoretical basis for rational and efficient utilization of unconventional feed resources in pig production.