Low Crude Protein Diet Affects the Intestinal Microbiome and Metabolome Differently in Barrows and Gilts

Low protein diets are commonly used in the growing-finishing pig stage of swine production; however, effects low dietary on intestinal microbiota and their metabolites, association with sex, remain unclear. The present study aimed to assess impact a crude (CP) diet gut microbiome metabolome, reveal any relationship sex. Barrows gilts (both n = 24; initial body 68.33 ± 0.881 kg) were allocated into two treatments according four groups comprised pairs barrows fed high (CP 17% at I; CP 13% II) 15% 11% II), respectively, for 51 d. Eight pigs each group slaughtered colon contents collected. Intestinal metabolites assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. increased species richness indices ( P < 0.05) both sexes compared diet. sample Shannon index was different 0.01) between gilts. At genus level, unidentified Clostridiales 0.05), Neisseria Prevotellaceae Gracilibacteria affected by levels. relative abundance influence levels associated Metabolomic profiling indicated that mainly rather than barrows. A total 434 differentially abundant identified diets. Correlation analysis six communities closely twelve enriched amino acids, inflammation, immune, disease-related metabolic pathways. These results suggested decreasing changed pigs, which selectively metabolite profiles