Published September 12, 2024 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Method: Standard operating procedure for the administration of swallowable devices to study pig's gut content in a non-invasive way

  • 1. ROR icon Agroscope
  • 2. Agroscope Standort Posieux
  • 3. ROR icon University of Bologna

Description

Due to the evolution of welfare laws and the search for novel methods to study pig microbiota, the development of precise and non-invasive sampling methods is key to studying the microbial communities that inhabit the guts of pigs. Administering swallowable devices to pigs is always a challenge due to factors
such as anatomy, the requirement for specific materials, and the need to restrain the animals. In this
study, we describe a step-by-step protocol on how to administer Capsule for Sampling (CapSa), a biocompatible non-invasive device to study pig’s microbiota without harming the animals. The validation of the protocol was done through two different studies. In Study 1, 92 Swiss Large White pigs (BW: 6.45–
71.3 kg) were administered two capsules each and monitored for the following 3 days for capsule retrieval. On day 3, all pigs were euthanised to locate the missing capsules directly from their gastrointestinal
tracts. In Study 2, 16 Swiss Large White pigs were selected at weaning and administered CapSas at five
different timepoints (T1: 52 ± 3; T2: 70 ± 3; T3: 83 ± 3; T4: 110 ± 3; T5: 126 ± 3 days of age). To retrieve
the capsules in the faeces, pigs were monitored 3 days postadministration. At T5, the pigs were slaughtered, and CapSas that were not found in the faeces, termed as missing CapSas, were retrieved from their
gastrointestinal tracts. The protocol entails acclimation of the animals, housing modifications, administration of a prokinetic agent (prucalopride) to facilitate gastric emptying, and oesophageal intubations
to overcome challenges related to administration, gastric blockage, and retrieval of the capsules. In
Study 1, 46.74% of the administered CapSas were found in the faeces within 72 h postadministration, with
47.67% retrieved within the first 24 h, and 28.26% were located in the stomach. The CapSa retrieval was
lowest in light pigs (<12 kg). In Study 2, 75.6% of CapSas were recovered in the faeces within 72 h postadministration, with 51.23% retrieved within the first 24 h. The CapSa retrieval rates varied depending on
the administration time point being lowest at T1 and T3 and highest at T2 with intermediate values at T4
and T5. In both studies, the pH levels were affected by transit time (P < 0.01), resulting in a more acidic
content when capsules were expelled after 36–40 h. To the contrary, the volume of the CapSa content was
never affected by transit time (P < 0.05). In both studies, postmortem observations showed no healthrelated issues except one pig from Study 2 excluded due to respiratory distress. The present study
describes a valid procedure for administering CapSa or any other swallowable devices in pigs.
Moreover, this procedure is applicable to singular and repetitive administrations over the lifespan of pigs.

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Additional details

Funding

MonoGutHealth – TRAINING AND RESEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT AND SUSTAIN GUT HEALTH AND REDUCE LOSSES IN MONOGASTRIC LIVESTOCK 955374
European Commission

Dates

Available
2024-09-13