Maternal obesity induces placental dysfunction and intestinal microbial dysbiosis. However, the associations between intestinal microbiota and placental dysfunction are still unclear. In the present study, a gilt model was used to investigate the role of maternal obesity on placental oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and fecal microbiota composition, meanwhile identifying microbiota markers associated with placental oxidative stress. Twenty gilts were divided into two groups based on their backfat thickness on parturition day: namely Con group (average backfat thickness = 33 mm), and Obese group (average backfat thickness = 39 mm). The results showed that Obese group was lower than Con group in the birth weight of piglets. Compared with the Con group, the Obesity group exhibited an increased oxidative damage and inflammatory response in placenta, as evidenced by the increased concentrations of placental reactive oxygen species (ROS), protein carboxyl, and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Obesity group was lower than Con group in the concentrations of placental adenosine triphosphate, citrate synthase, and complex I activity. In addition, lower propionate level and Bacteroidetes abundance in feces were seen in the Obese Group. Furthermore, the concentrations of placental ROS, protein carboxyl, and IL-6 were positively correlated with the abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and negatively correlated with that of norank_f_Bacteroidales_S24-7_group. In conclusion, these findings suggest that maternal obesity might impair oxidative and inflammatory response in placenta through modulating intestinal microbiota composition.

The microbiota and fermentation quality of cassava foliage (CF) ensiled in the absence of additive (CK), or the presence of citric acid (CA), malic acid (MA), and their combination with aLactobacillus plantarumstrain (CAL and MAL)were investigated. These additives reduced (P< 0.05) the pH, butyric acid, and ammonia-N contents but increased (P< 0.05) the lactic acid content, and CAL and MAL showed similar remarkable effects.Paenibacillus(mean, 27.81%) andBacillus(mean, 16.04%) were the predominant strains in CF silage. The addition of CA or MAL increased the abundance ofPaenibacillus(25.81–52.28% and 47.97%, respectively), and the addition of MA increased the abundance ofBacillus(15.76–32.48%) compared with the CK group. Moreover, CAL and MAL increased the abundances of the potentially desirable bacteriaCellulosimicrobium(CAL 0–12.73%),Hyphomicrobium(0–7.90% and 8.94%), andOceanobacillus(0–8.37% and 3.08%) compared with the CK group. These findings suggested that CA and MA could enhance the silage quality of CF, and their combinations withLactobacillus plantarumwere more effective.