Early introduction of a nutritional substrate is a promising biomimetic strategy for controlling the implantation of the microbiota and preserving the health of young animals. In this study, we provided experimental solid substrate in a gel form to stimulate suckling rabbits' intake and to investigate its effects on microbiota implantation and colonization. All the rabbits had access to solid feed outside the nest as of 15 days of age. Except for the control group, rabbits were offered starter feed gels inside the nests from 3 to 18 days of age. These gels were either free of additives (AF_GEL) or contained 4% of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS_GEL) or 4% of mannan-oligosaccharides and β-glucans mixtures (MOS_GEL). The cecal content of 160 rabbits was sampled at 18, 29, 38, and 57 days of age and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Pups consumed an average of 3.95 ± 1.07 g of starter feed gel with a higher intake when it was supplemented with fructo-oligosaccharides (+1.2 g; P < 0.05). Starter feed gel consumption increased the ensuing intake of pellets (+17 g from 15 to 21 days; P < 0.05). Alpha-diversity indexes were similar between groups and prebiotic supplementation did not induce a clear shift in microbiota pattern. Conversely, when considering rabbits that consumed more starter feed, the highest proportions of bacteria with plant-degrading abilities, such as species from the Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae families, were observed at 18 days of age. However, fermentative activities were not affected by starter feed intake at 29, 38, and 57 days of age. By providing comprehensive results on the regulation of microbial community structure at the onset of solid feed intake, this research paves the way for further studies on digestive ecosystem maturation.

中文翻译：

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固体饲料的早期引入：摄入量比益生元补充剂更能塑造肠道菌群。

营养基质的尽早引入是一种有前途的仿生策略，可用于控制微生物群的植入并保持幼小动物的健康。在这项研究中，我们以凝胶形式提供了实验性固体基质，以刺激乳兔的摄入并研究其对微生物群植入和定植的影响。到15天大时，所有兔子都可以在巢外获取固体饲料。除对照组外，给兔子3至18天大的巢内发酵剂饲料。这些凝胶不含添加剂（AF_GEL）或含有4％的低聚果糖（FOS_GEL）或4％的甘露寡糖和β-葡聚糖混合物（MOS_GEL）。在18、29、38和57天龄时对160只兔子的盲肠含量进行采样，并使用16S rRNA基因测序进行分析。当补充果糖寡糖时，幼仔平均消耗了3.95±1.07 g起动饲料凝胶，摄入量更高（+1.2 g； P <0.05）。起始饲料凝胶的消耗增加了随后的颗粒摄入量（从15天到21天增加了17克； P <0.05）。组之间的α-多样性指数相似，并且益生元补充并未引起微生物群模式的明显变化。相反，当考虑消耗更多起始饲料的兔子时，在18日龄时观察到比例最高的具有植物降解能力的细菌，例如来自唇形呼吸科和瘤胃科的物种。但是，发酵活动不受29、38和57日龄起始饲料摄入量的影响。