Intestinal Health of Pigs Upon Weaning: Challenges and Nutritional Intervention

Abstract

The primary goal of nursery pig management is making a smooth weaning transition to minimize weaning associated depressed growth and diseases. Weaning causes morphological and functional changes of the small intestine of pigs, where most of the nutrients are being digested and absorbed. While various stressors induce post-weaning growth depression, the abrupt change from milk to solid feed is one of the most apparent challenges to pigs. Feeding functional feed additives may be viable solutions to promote the growth of nursery pigs by enhancing nutrient digestion, intestinal morphology, immune status, and by restoring intestinal balance. The aim of this review was to provide available scientific information on the roles of functional feed additives in enhancing intestinal health and growth during nursery phase. Among many potential functional feed additives, the palatability of the ingredient and the optimum supplemental level are varied, and these should be considered when applying into nursery pig diets. Considering different stressors pigs deal with in the post-weaning period, research on nutritional intervention using a single feed additive or a combination of different additives that can enhance feed intake, increase weight gain, and reduce mortality and morbidity are needed to provide viable solutions for pig producers. Further research in relation to the feed palatability, supplemental level, as well as interactions between different ingredients are needed.

Significance of Mucosa-Associated Microbiota and Its Impacts on Intestinal Health of Pigs Challenged with F18+ E. coli

“…The crypt depth and the VH:CD are indicators of enterocyte proliferation and villus damage. Greater crypt depth indicated greater enterocyte proliferation in crypts, whereas a greater VH:CD indicates lower enterocyte proliferation in crypts due to the reduced villus damage [ 51 , 52 ].…”

Importance of Zinc Nanoparticles for the Intestinal Microbiome of Weaned Piglets

“…L. plantarum is also known as Zn tolerable bacteria ( 128 ) what was clearly visible from the results. The increased occurrence of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and the decrease of Enterococcus and Enterobacteriaceae were predictors of improved pig's performance and reduced occurrence of diarrhea ( 129 ). In addition to L. plantarum , the microbiome of pigs comprises several bacterial strains that are tolerant to high doses of Zn.…”

In-Feed Supplementation of Resin Acid-Enriched Composition Modulates Gut Microbiota, Improves Growth Performance, and Reduces Post-Weaning Diarrhea and Gut Inflammation in Piglets

“…This challenging process is attributable to the immature gut structure of the piglets, which are unable to digest solid food particles fully, and the fermented undigested food promotes the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the gut [ 4 ]. Hence, piglets exhibit malabsorption syndrome followed by increased excretion of fatty acids and watery feces, degenerated intestinal villi, inflammation [ 5 ], and impaired immune functions [ 6 ]. In most cases, opportunistic bacteria, such as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) aggravate this condition and can cause post-weaning diarrhea (PWD).…”