Metatranscriptomic Analysis Reveals Functional Features of the Gastrointestinal Microbiota in Tibetan Pigs

Abstract

Simple Summary Elucidation of the role of the gut microbiota in adaptation to high-altitude environments is crucial to broaden understanding of the mechanisms whereby animals adapt to high altitude. We collected 57 samples of the contents of the stomach, jejunum, cecum, colon, and rectum from six Tibetan pigs living at high altitude and six black pigs living at low altitude and performed metatranscriptomic sequencing. This revealed that Lactobacillus, Clostridioides, and Prevotella were the most abundant genera in the gastrointestinal microbiota of both groups. Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii were significantly enriched in the gastrointestinal microbiota of the Tibetan pigs. The former is associated with gut health maintenance, and the latter is linked to appropriate lipid metabolism. Metabolic pathway analysis of the microbial communities revealed that the gut microbiota of the Tibetan pigs was significantly associated with energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism pathways, suggesting that these pathways may play a key role in metabolic regulation at high altitudes. In addition, network analysis indicated that the gut microbiota of the Tibetan pigs was more complex. These results characterize differences between the gastrointestinal microbial profiles of the two pig populations. These findings may advance understanding of the adaptations of the gastrointestinal tract to high-altitude environments.