Abstract
Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), functional oligosaccharides with natural characteristics, are important active substances in milk that play an important role in the development of intestinal microbiota and the immune system of newborns. The intestinal maturation of piglets resembles that of human newborns and infants. Therefore, we used the newborn piglet model to study the effects of early-life GOS intervention. Six litters of neonatal piglets (10 piglets per litter) with the same average birth weight were divided into control (CON) and GOS (GOS) groups in each litter. Piglets in the GOS group were given 10 mL of GOS solution daily during the first week after birth, while piglets in the CON group were given the same dose of physiological saline orally. One pig per group from each litter was euthanized on day 8 and day 21. Results revealed that ileal microbiota composition was significantly enriched in Lactobacillus and unclassified Lactobacillaceae, and reduced in Clostridium sensu stricto on day 8 and day 21 after GOS intervention. Additionally, Escherichia significantly decreased on day 21 following the early-life GOS intervention. Moreover, the content of microbial metabolites, endocrine peptides, and the mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial peptides increased in the GOS group. These findings provide guidelines for early prebiotic supplementation for lactating newborns.