The physiological role of the gastrointestinal microbiota has become an important subject of nutrition research in pigs in the past years, and the importance of intestinal microbial activity in the etiology of disease is doubtless. This review summarizes the recent knowledge related to the microbial ecology of protein fermentation and the appearance of protein-derived metabolites along the pig intestine. The amount of fermentable protein depends on factors such as dietary protein concentration, protein digestibility due to secondary or tertiary structure, the interaction with dietary compounds or anti-nutritional factors, and the secretion of endogenous proteins into the gut lumen. High protein diets increase the luminal concentrations and epithelial exposure to putatively toxic metabolites and increase the risk for post-weaning diarrhea, but the mechanisms are not yet clarified. Although the use of fermentable carbohydrates to reduce harmful protein-derived metabolites in pigs is well-established, recent studies suggest that the inclusion of fermentable carbohydrates into diets with low protein digestibility or high dietary protein level may not ameliorate all negative effects with regard to epithelial response. Based on the current knowledge, the use of diets with low levels of high-quality protein may help to reduce the risk for intestinal disease in young pigs.

The influence of dietary CLA isomer(s) and/or selenized yeast on the growth, concentration of CLA isomers and other fatty acids in the liver was investigated in rats. Plasma blood triacylglycerols (TAG), total cholesterol (TC), HDL and LDL cholesterol fractions in relation to dietary CLA isomer(s) and/or selenium (Se) were analysed. The experiment was performed on female rats (Wistar), 8 weeks of age and initial body weight of about 200 g. After a 1-week preliminary period, for 4 weeks the animals were fed a diet enriched in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomer(s) and selenized yeast (2×2 experimental design). Dietary Se or/and CLA isomer(s) resulted in small changes in the spleen, heart, kidneys and brain, and increased liver weight. Administration of Se and trans10cis12CLA most efficiently increased the body weight gain of rats. CLA isomer(s) administered with or without Se elevated the CLA isomer(s) level in the liver. These results demonstrate that trans,transCLA isomers are metabolized more slowly, while cis,trans/trans,cisCLA isomers, more rapidly to longchain fatty acids containing a conjugated double bond. Enrichment of the diet in CLA isomer(s) with or without Se caused a reduction in the capacity of Δ9-, Δ6-and Δ5-desaturases in the liver, while dietary trans10cis12CLA or the CLA isomer mixture increased Δ4-desaturases. The contents of oleic acid, C20:4n-6, and C20:5n-3 decreased in the liver, whereas the level of C22:5n-3 and C22:6n-3 increased in the liver of rats fed the CLA isomer mixture. Individual dietary CLA isomers with or without Se increased the concentration of palmitic and stearic acids in the liver. All experimental diets increased the concentration of triacylglycerols in blood plasma, while trans10cis12CLA with or without Se usually decreased the concentration of total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL cholesterol.

The aim of the present work was to study the influence of tannic acid (TA) and protein level in the diet on fermentation in the caecum of rats, activity of bacterial β-glucuronidase, and colon morphology. Twelve groups of six male Wistar rats were given either a control diet free of TA or diets containing 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, or 2% TA. Diets contained 10 or 18% of crude protein. Body weight and feed intake were monitored during a 3-week experimental period. Tannic acid reduced protein apparent digestibility and decreased liveweight gain. Both factors affected caecal fermentation and increased volatile fatty acid production. The higher protein level increased the concentration of branched-chain fatty acids. Tannic acid reduced the activity of β-glucuronidase and affected colonic myenteron thickness. These results indicate that TA may have advantageous effects on the gastrointestinal tract if its amount in the diet does not exceed 1.5%.

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in Polish high-yielding dairy herds. Also, the relationships between the chemical composition of the diet and the feed particle size, ruminal pH and the occurrence of this metabolic disease and the fermentation profile were determined. Rumen fluid samples were obtained from a total of 213 cows from nine dairy herds (≥20 cows per herd) via rumenocentesis. Almost 14% (30/213) of cows as acidotic (pH<5.6) were found, which is indicative of SARA. Moreover, 44% of the herds were classified as SARA-positive and 56% as SARA-negative. Results of the current study suggested that the physically effective NDF (NDF -to-starch ratio could be better indices than peNDF to preventing the occurrence of SARA, and their level should not be lower than 1.00. Also, linear negative relationships between rumen fluid pH and concentration of propionate, valerate and total VFA were determined. According to the herd's SARA status and rumen fluid biochemical indices, there were significant differences between the pH of rumen fluid (p ≤ 0.01), concentrations of acetate (p ≤ 0.05), propionate (p ≤ 0.05), n-butyrate (p ≤ 0.01), n-valerate (p ≤ 0.01), the sum of VFA (p ≤ 0.01) and ammonia (p ≤ 0.05) in SARA-positive herds compared to SARA-negative herds. The better understanding the strategy of ruminant nutrition to coordinate energy conversion and the role of the ruminal pH in regulating N-NH production, absorption through rumen mucosa, urea secretion, the more successfully we can utilize these processes with due recognition of animal needs and welfare, as well as prevention of SARA occurrence.