Enhanced immunity: the gut microbiota changes in high-altitude Tibetan pigs compared to Yorkshire pigs

Abstract

Introduction: Long-term domestication in high-altitude environments has led to unique changes in the gut microbiota of Tibetan Pigs. This study aims to investigate specific alterations in the intestinal flora of Tibetan Pigs compared to Yorkshire pigs.

Methods: We employed 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing technologies for comprehensive analysis of the gut microbiota. The data collected allowed us to assess microbial community structures and functional capabilities.

Results: Our analysis revealed that Tibetan Pigs raised under a "free-range + supplementary feeding" model exhibited increased abundance of microbial communities associated with short-chain fatty acid synthesis and the digestion of cellulose and hemicellulose. Notably, the characteristic bacterium Rhodococcus, commonly found in high-altitude environments, was enriched in the gut microbiota of Tibetan Pigs, facilitating the efficient utilization of natural compounds and degradation of toxic substances. Additionally, the increased abundance of probiotics in these pigs enhances their immunity, which may involve mechanisms such as disrupting the structure of pathogenic bacteria and detoxifying harmful metabolites.

Discussion: These findings underscore the advantages of Tibetan Pigs over common commercial breeds, highlighting their unique gut microbiota adaptations. Furthermore, they open new avenues for screening potential probiotics and developing genetic breeding strategies for improved livestock varieties.

Conclusion: Understanding the distinct gut microbiota of Tibetan Pigs provides valuable insights into their health benefits and resilience, contributing to future research on breed improvement and microbiome applications in agriculture.

Keywords: 16S rRNA; Tibetan pig; Yorkshire pig; gut microbiota; metagenome.

Figure 1

α- and-β diversity analysis results of 16S rRNA data between Tibetan Pigs and Yorkshire pigs: (A–D) α-diversity statistics of 16S rRNA data between Tibetan pigs and Yorkshire pigs, including Chao1 index, Shannon index, Simpson index, and number of observed OTUs and (E and F) β diversity PCoA results of 16S rRNA data between Tibetan Pigs and Yorkshire pigs, represented by PCoA plots based on Bray–Curtis distance and Jaccard distance.

Figure 2

Based on 16S rRNA data species annotation results: (A,B) species annotation and LEfSe analysis results of phylum level; (C,D) species annotation and LEfSe analysis results of genus level.

Figure 3

Functional prediction based on 16S rRNA data: (A) KEGG pathway heatmaps at level 1 and level 2; (B) PCA results of functional pathway prediction for Tibetan pigs and Yorkshire pigs; (C) differential pathways between Tibetan pigs and Yorkshire pigs; and (D–F) grouped bar chart of top 3 differential pathways between Tibetan pigs and large white pigs.

Figure 4

Species annotation at the phylum and genus levels and differential microbial community analysis between Tibetan pigs and Yorkshire pigs: The stacked species distribution diagram at phylum (A–D) and genus (E–H) levels, ANOSIM results, PCA results, and LEfSe analysis results for Tibetan pigs and Yorkshire pigs.

Figure 5

Functional prediction based on metagenome data: (A) KEGG pathway heatmaps at level 1 and level 2; (B) PCA results of functional pathway prediction for Tibetan pigs and Yorkshire pigs; (C) differential pathways between Tibetan pigs and Yorkshire pigs; and (D–F) grouped bar chart of top 3 differential pathways between Tibetan pigs and large white pigs.