The Suckling Piglet as an Agrimedical Model for the Study of Pediatric Nutrition and Metabolism

Abstract

The neonatal pig ranks among the most prominent research models for the study of pediatric nutrition and metabolism. Its precocial development at birth affords ready adaptation to artificial rearing systems, and research using this model spans a wide array of nutrients. Sophisticated in vitro and in vivo methodologies supporting both invasive, reduction-science research as well as whole-animal preclinical investigations have been developed. Potential applications may dually benefit both agricultural and medical sciences (e.g., "agrimedical research"). The broad scope of this review is to outline the fundamental elements of the piglet model and to highlight key aspects of relevance to various macronutrients, including lipids, carbohydrates, proteins/amino acids, and calcium/phosphorus. The review examines similarities between piglets and infants and also piglet idiosyncrasies, concluding that, overall, the piglet represents an adaptable and robust model for pediatric nutrition and metabolism research.

Comparison of Brain Development in Sow-Reared and Artificially Reared Piglets

“…To alleviate the potential impact of social isolation, AR piglets were given opportunities to engage in play with caretakers two to three times per day for the duration of the study. Furthermore, the AR piglet has previously been established as a normative model in nutrition studies (20). It is expected that the piglet will continue to be used in the field of nutrition and nutritional neuroscience heavily.…”

A 3-week pre-clinical study of 2′-fucosyllactose in farm piglets

“…While this previous study provides additional support for the safety of 2′-fucosyllactose, due to factors such as differences in starting materials and other process chemicals, the present study was conducted to provide additional evidence that the 2′-fucosyllactose produced using the fermentation process did not alter the tolerability of the finished material. Furthermore, as the neonatal piglet model is more representative of early human infant development than rodent models (Flamm, 2013;Guilloteau et al, 2010;Herfel et al, 2009; Institute of Medicine (IOM), 2004; Odle et al, 2014), this experiment was conducted to provide additional evidence of the safety and tolerability of 2′-fucosyllactose manufactured via fermentation for this sensitive subpopulation.…”

“…Neonatal piglets represent an excellent model for human infants, especially when comparing the first three weeks of life for piglets with the first three months of life for human infants (Flamm, 2013;Guilloteau et al, 2010;Herfel et al, 2009; Institute of Medicine (IOM), 2004; Odle et al, 2014). During this developmental period, neonatal piglets have many similarities to human infants including the presence of specific digestive enzymes, nutrient absorption, gut closure, dietary requirements, microbial population and gut transit time.…”

The Potential Impact of Animal Science Research on Global Maternal and Child Nutrition and Health: A Landscape Review

“…Ethical concerns also preclude the use of invasive experimental approaches and interventions that are common practice in animal sciences. Given the high degree of underlying biological commonality within mammals, much insight can be gained through extrapolation from agriculture species, termed dual-benefit, “agrimedical” application and “one health” (3). …”