The gut microbiota as a predictor of feed efficiency and feeding behavior in Iberian pigs
Nuñez, Pedro (Universitat Politècnica de València. Instituto Universitario de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal)
Casto-Rebollo, Cristina (Universitat Politècnica de València. Instituto Universitario de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal)
Martinez-Boggio, Guillermo (University of Wisconsin)
Negro Rama, Sara (IngaFood S.A.)
Casellas Vidal, Joaquim (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments)
Varona, Luis (Universidad de Zaragoza)
Pena, RN (Universitat de Lleida. Departament de Ciència Animal)
Peñagaricano, Francisco (University of Wisconsin)
Ibañez-Escriche, Noelia (Universitat Politècnica de València. Instituto Universitario de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal)

Date:	2025
Abstract:	In recent years, the production system of Iberian pigs has been significantly intensified, with new technologies playing a crucial role in recording traits such as feed efficiency. These advances also allow the study of different traits related to feeding behavior. In addition, the composition of the gut microbiota has previously been associated with animal health and performance. This study evaluated the relationship between the host genetics, the gut microbiota, and traits of feed efficiency and feeding behavior up to 180 d of age. First, we quantified the phenotypic variance explained by the host genetics and the gut microbiota using fecal samples collected at 2-time points: 140 and 180 d. Second, we evaluated whether the microbiota at 140 d could serve as an early predictor of phenotypes measured at 180 d. Identifying accurate early predictors may serve as a valuable tool to support future strategies aimed at reducing testing duration in the nucleus of selection. Our results indicate that microbiota accounts for a low to moderate proportion of total phenotypic variance and improves model fit for feed efficiency traits when included. Furthermore, the inclusion of microbiota data at 140 d improved the prediction of feed efficiency traits at 180 d but did not improve predictions for feeding behavior. This study provides valuable insights into variance component estimation for feed efficiency and feeding behavior traits in Iberian pigs fed with automatic feeders and highlights new opportunities to explore the role of microbiota in feed efficiency. This research evaluates the influences of the host genetics and gut microbiota on feed efficiency and feeding behavior in Iberian pigs, highlighting the potential of gut microbiota to improve feed efficiency predictions.
Grants:	Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación PID2020-114705RB-I00 Agencia Estatal de Investigación AEI/10.13039/501100011033 Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación PRE2021-097003
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Cross-validation ; Feeding behavior ; Feed efficiency ; Gut microbiota ; Iberian pigs ; Prediction
Published in:	Journal of animal science, Vol. 103 (august 2025) , ISSN 1525-3163

DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaf268
PMID: 40820439

10 p, 1.7 MB

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