AUTHOR=Li Yang , Yang Min , Zhang Lijia , Mao Zhengyu , Lin Yan , Xu Shengyu , Fang Zhengfeng , Che Lianqiang , Feng Bin , Li Jian , Zhuo Yong , Wu De 

TITLE=Dietary Fiber Supplementation in Gestating Sow Diet Improved Fetal Growth and Placental Development and Function Through Serotonin Signaling Pathway

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.831703

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2022.831703

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fiber (DF) supplementation in gestation diet on fetal growth and placental development and function, and explore the possible mechanism of DF improving sow reproductive performance. Sixteen Large White × Landrace crossbred gilts were randomly allotted to two groups, and fed a semi-purified basal diet [non-fiber (NF) group, 0.1% total DF] or a basal diet supplemented with 8.33 g/kg inulin and 200 g/kg cellulose [Fiber (F) group] during gestation period. On day 106 of gestation, five sows per group were chosen and slaughtered for sample collection. Results showed that DF supplementation during gestation increased the total fetal weight and placental weight on day 106 of gestation; elevated serum serotonin concentration; increased concentrations of serotonin and short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate, and butyrate), as well as tryptophan hydroxylase 1 expression, in colon; elevated serotonin and progesterone concentrations and up-regulated the serotonin transporter, cytochrome P450 11A1, and insulin-like growth factor 2 expressions in placenta. Besides, the sows in F group had microbial community structures distinct from those in NF group. Supplementation of DF in gestation diet increased the Coprococcus 3 abundance that was positively correlated with colonic serotonin concentration, while significantly decreased the Family XIII AD3011 group abundance which was negatively correlated with colonic serotonin concentration. Above all, DF supplementation in gestation diet could increase placental serotonin level through promoting maternal serotonin synthesis in colon and the transport from the mother to placenta in sows, and then improve placental development and function, finally promoting fetal growth. Our findings provided insight into the mechanisms of DF improving sow reproductive performance.