Fecal Microbiota and Hair Glucocorticoid Concentration Show Associations with Growth During Early Life in a Pig Model

The study examined the relationship between fecal microbiota, hair glucocorticoid concentrations, and growth in 75 piglets, categorized into four growth groups. Fast-growing pigs during the nursery period had higher cortisone levels and a lower cortisol-to-cortisone ratio, indicating a potential link to stress. Growth influenced fecal microbiota structure, with specific bacterial genera and higher fecal butyrate concentrations associated with faster growth. These findings suggest that both hair glucocorticoid levels and fecal microbiota composition are linked to growth rates in early life, highlighting the complex interplay between stress biomarkers and gut microbiota in growth development. Further research is needed to fully understand these relationships.