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Citrulline (Cit), an effective precursor of arginine (Arg), escapes hepatic catabolism to be almost completely absorbed into the systemic circulation, thereby being efficiently converted to Arg in the kidneys to enhance its systemic bioavailability. This study investigated the effects of dietary Cit supplementation on lactation performance in sows, as well as the underlying mechanisms related to intestinal health in their suckling piglets, using multi-omics analyses.
Dietary Arg and Cit supplementation significantly increased average daily feed intake of lactating sows. Milk fat content and plasma nitric oxide (NO) concentration increased significantly in the Arg group and the 40%Cit group (P < 0.05), while milk threonine content increased slightly (P = 0.084). Consequently, the average daily gain of suckling piglets over the 21-day lactation period was also significantly improved. Furthermore, maternal 40%Cit supplementation improved the intestinal health of offspring by enhancing jejunal morphology and upregulating the expression of the tight junction protein occludin (P < 0.05), indicating a strengthened intestinal barrier. Mechanistically, this was achieved by activating the mTOR/S6 pathway in the piglets' jejunum. Maternal 40%Cit supplementation upregulated the expression of proteins related to mitochondrial fusion and fission (MFN2 and MFF, P < 0.05), and the protein expression of OPA1 showed an increasing trend (P = 0.097), indicating the structural and functional status of mitochondria was improved. Maternal 40%Cit supplementation also modulated the gut microbiota of piglets, increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Lachnoclostridium). Metabolomic analysis of sow milk identified 58 differential metabolites. Among these metabolites, palmitic acid levels were significantly increased and positively correlated with the abundance of Lachnoclostridium in the intestine (P < 0.05).
Dietary Cit supplementation enhanced sow lactation performance and improved intestinal barrier function in their offspring via activation of the jejunal mTOR/S6 pathway and improved mitochondrial structure and function in the piglet jejunum. These benefits were further supported by modulation of the gut microbiota and alterations in the milk fat and metabolome, ultimately promoting piglet growth.
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| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |
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