Gut Health and Influencing Factors in Pigs

Abstract

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a complex, dynamic, and critical part of the body, which plays an important role in the digestion and absorption of ingested nutrients and excreting waste products of digestion. In addition, GIT also plays a vital role in preventing the entry of harmful substances and potential pathogens into the bloodstream. The gastrointestinal tract hosts a significant number of microbes, which throughout their metabolites, directly interact with the hosts. In modern intensive animal farming, many factors can disrupt GIT functions. As dietary nutrients and biologically active substances play important roles in maintaining homeostasis and eubiosis in the GIT, this review aims to summarize the current status of our knowledge on the most important areas.

Strategies for reducing noxious gas emissions in pig production: a comprehensive review on the role of feed additives

“…Plant extracts have some bioactive compound such as Garlic ( Allium sativum ): allicin, alliin, diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide [ 67 ]; Milk thistle ( Silybum marianum ): silymarin [ 68 ]; Turmeric ( Curcuma longa ): curcumin [ 69 ]; A. japonica : phytoecdysteroid, saponin, polysaccharide, inokosterone and 20-hydroxyecdysone [ 70 ]. The bioactive components in plant extracts can improve digestibility in pigs through several mechanisms, including increasing the activity of digestive enzymes [ 13 , 41 ], modulating the gut microbiome [ 13 , 21 , 60 ], and improving gut health and function [ 71 ]. Thus, plant extracts have been shown to improve the digestion and utilization of nutrients by pigs and reduce the amount of undigested material available for fermentation in the manure.…”

“…extracts can improve digestibility in pigs through several mechanisms, including increasing the activity of digestive enzymes [13,41], modulating the gut microbiome [13,21,60], and improving gut health and function [71]. Thus, plant extracts have been shown to improve the digestion and utilization of nutrients by pigs and reduce the amount of undigested material available for fermentation in the manure.…”

The Use of Fruit and Vegetable by-Products as Enhancers of Health Status of Piglets after Weaning: The Role of Bioactive Compounds from Apple and Carrot Industrial Wastes

“…In addition to all these factors, an undeveloped enzymatic and immune system leads to a reduced feed intake, sub-optimal or negative growth rates, and increased susceptibility to pathogen infections [ 15 , 16 ]. The gastrointestinal tract is strongly affected by weaning, and the dietary changes result in an insufficient utilization of nutrients, local inflammation and oxidative stress [ 17 , 18 , 19 ], resulting in a high incidence of diarrhea and, in severe cases, increased morbidity and mortality [ 20 ]. Research from the last decade showed that the gastrointestinal tract’s roles are not limited to nutrient digestion and absorption, but also have secretory (mucins, immunoglobulins) and important immune functions, with the intestine being considered the largest immune organ of the body [ 21 , 22 ].…”