Microbiological Diversity, Formation, Ecological Roleand Research Methods of the Pig Gut Microbiota: Review

This review presents data on studies of the intestinal microbiota of pigs, which plays a key role in the maintenance of animal health and physiology. The review summarizes to describe the effects of age, diet and antibiotics on the composition and functional activity of the intestinal microbiota of pigs and the distribution of antibiotic resistance genes under livestock production conditions. This review summarises research data on the composition of the intestinal microbiota of pigs, with special attention paid to the formation and dynamics of the composition of the microbiota of piglets in the neonatal period. The influence of different types of diet on the composition and functional activity of the intestinal microbiota of pigs, including the expression of glycosidohydrolase and glycosyltransferase genes and the possibility of modulating the composition of the microbiota through diet, which can minimise the effects of stress at weaning and increase animal performance. Particular attention is given to the role of the gut microbiota in the metabolism of amino acids, vitamins, lipids and bile acids, and to the functional metagenomics of the microbial community, allowing the identification of genes associated with adaptation to different diet types and pathological conditions. The review also discusses the role of pigs in the spread of antibiotic resistance genes, including using metagenomic and metatranscriptomic profiling, as well as the risks associated with their introduction into the environment and the potential impact on animal and human health.