Abstract:

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between changes in gut microbiota and muscle phenotype in ZBED6-knockout Bama pigs. In this study, 5-month-old wild-type and ZBED6-knockout Guangxi Bama mini-pigs were divided into 3 groups based on sex and genotypes: wild-type boars compared with wild-type sows (male WT: female WT), wild-type sows compared with knock-out sows (female WT: female Ko), and wild-type boars compared with knock-out boars (male WT: male Ko). The microbial composition of each intestinal segment was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that: 1) The community diversity of large intestine in Bama pigs was significantly higher than that of small intestine; 2) Compared with female wild-type pigs, male wild-type pigs have higher lean meat percentage. Turicibacter in ileum, Streptococcus in cecum and Peptostreptococcaceae in rectum were found to be concentrated in male wild-type pigs, while Lactobacillus in ileum was found to be concentrated in female wild-type pigs; 3) After knockout of ZBED6, muscle growth increased in pigs. The content of Lactobacillus in ileum of sows was significantly decreased and SMB53 in cecum was significantly increased. After knockout of ZBDE6, Prevotella and Ruminococcus increased significantly in boar rectum, and SMB53 increased significantly in cecum. The results suggest that the differences in abundance of Turicibacter, Streptococcus, Peptostreptococcaceae and Lactobacillus in the gut may affect energy metabolism and promote muscle growth in male wild-type pigs; After ZBED6 knockout, an increase abundance in SMB53 in the cecum of pigs may be a factor contributing to muscle gain.

Key words: Bama pig, ZBED6, gut microbes, SMB53