Lipid Metabolism and Microbial Profiles Between Shaziling and Yorkshire Pigs

Abstract Background: Shaziling pig, a Chinese indigenous breed, has been classified as a fatty pig model, while the lipid metabolism and gut microbial development in Shaziling pigs were rarely reported. Methods: Here, we compared the metabolic and microbial profiles at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 210, and 300 days of age between Shaziling and Yorkshire pigs. Results: Predictably, there were marked difference in the liver lipids (i.e., cholesterol, glucose, and low density lipoprotein) and the expressions (i.e., SREBP1/2 , LXRα / β , DGAT1 / 2 , and FABP1 - 3 ) between Shaziling and Yorkshire pigs. Bacteria in the ileal digesta and mucosa were further analyzed, and the results showed that Shaziling pigs had a higher α-diversity and the abundances of probiotics, such as Lactobacillus_johnosonii , Lactobacillus_amylovorus , and Clostridium_butyricum . 35 differentiated metabolites were identified in the mucosa between Shaziling and Yorkshire pigs, which were enriched in the carbohydrate, protein, glucose and amino acid metabolism and bile acid biosynthesis. Furthermore, 7 differentiated microbial species were markedly correlated with 35 metabolites, indicating the role of gut microbiota in host metabolism. Conclusions: In conclusion, Shaziling pigs exhibited different metabolic and microbial profiles compared with the Yorkshire pigs, which might contribute to the diverse metabolic phenotypes.