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This study aimed to evaluate the genetic relationship between faecal microbial composition and five feed efficiency (FE) and production traits, residual feed intake (RFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), daily feed intake (DFI), average daily gain (ADG) and backfat thickness (BFT). A total of 588 samples from two experimental pig lines developed by divergent selection for RFI were sequenced for the 16 rRNA hypervariable V3‐V4 region. The 75 genera with less than 20% zero values (97% of the counts) and two α‐diversity indexes were analysed. Line comparison of the microbiota traits and estimations of heritability (h2) and genetic correlations (rg) were analysed. A non‐metric multidimensional scaling showed line differences between genera. The α‐diversity indexes were higher in the LRFI line than in the HRFI line (p <.01), with h2 estimates of 0.19 ± 0.08 (Shannon) and 0.12 ± 0.06 (Simpson). Forty‐eight genera had a significant h2 (>0.125). The rg of the α‐diversities indexes with production traits were negative. Some rg of genera belonging to the Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Prevotellaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Streptococcaceae, Rikenellaceae and Desulfovibrionaceae families significantly differed from zero (p <.05) with FE traits, RFI (3), DFI (7) and BFT (11). These results suggest that a sizable part of the variability of the gut microbial community is under genetic control and has genetic relationships with FE, including diversity indicators. It offers promising perspectives for selection for feed efficiency using gut microbiome composition in pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early bacterial colonization and succession within the gastrointestinal tract has been suggested to be crucial in the establishment of specific microbiota composition and the shaping of host phenotype. Here, the composition and dynamics of faecal microbiomes were studied for 31 healthy piglets across five age strata (days 14, 36, 48, 60 and 70 after birth) together with their mothers. Faecal microbiome composition was assessed by 16 S rRNA gene 454-pyrosequencing. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the predominant phyla present at each age. For all piglets, luminal secretory IgA concentration was measured at day 70, and body weight was recorded until day 70. The microbiota of suckling piglets was mainly represented by B acteroides, O scillibacter, E scherichia/ S higella, L actobacillus and unclassified R uminococcaceae genera. This pattern contrasted with that of A cetivibrio, D ialister, O ribacterium, S uccinivibrio and P revotella genera, which appeared increased after weaning. L actobacillus fermentum might be vertically transferred via breast milk or faeces. The microbiota composition coevolved with their hosts towards two different clusters after weaning, primarily distinguished by unclassified R uminococcaceae and P revotella abundances. P revotella was positively correlated with luminal secretory IgA concentrations, and body weight. Our study opens up new possibilities for health and feed efficiency manipulation via genetic selection and nutrition in the agricultural domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]