Maturation of digestive function is retarded and plasma antioxidant capacity lowered in fully weaned low birth weight piglets

Abstract

The digestive function of low birth weight (LBW) pigs post-weaning has been poorly studied. Therefore, newborns from eleven hyperprolific sows were weighed, weaned at 27·2 d and fed a starter diet until sampling. Sampling was done between 18 and 28 d post-weaning. An LBW piglet (n 19) was defined as a piglet having a birth weight less than 1 kg and less than the lower quartile of litter birth weights. Normal birth weight (NBW) piglets (n 13) were having a birth weight close to the mean litter birth weight. For each piglet, eighty-eight variables were determined. Data were analysed with linear models with type of piglet and litter as predictors. A principal component analysis was performed to determine the most important discriminating variables. In the LBW pig, the development of the digestive tract postweaning was delayed: lower small-intestinal weight:length ratio due to a thinner tela submucosa and tunica muscularis and a higher secretory capacity, both in the distal jejunum. These observations might be a consequence of lower circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations (126 (SE 10·0) v. 158 (SE 12·0) ng/ml for LBW and NBW, respectively) and a lower density of IGF-1 receptors in the proximal small intestine. Additionally, the plasma antioxidant capacity was lower for the LBW pig. Taken together, in the LBW piglet, the normal gut maturation post-weaning was retarded and this did not seem to be related to the weaning transition as such.

Intrauterine Growth Restriction Impairs Small Intestinal Mucosal Immunity in Neonatal Piglets

“…Our findings agree with previous observations that also suggested that IUGR was associated with poorly developed SIs, which were shorter and thinner than those of normal piglets, although the relative length of the SI in IUGR was longer (Wang et al 2005;D'Inca et al 2010c;Shanklin and Cooke 1993). Michiels et al (2013) also reported maldevelopment of the digestive tract of the IUGR piglets in the post-weaning period. This could be a consequence of lower circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels.…”

Delayed growth, motor function and learning in preterm pigs during early postnatal life

“…Using the same assay, the majority of IGF-1 levels were also below detection limit in preterm infants during the first month of life (24). The slightly reduced relative liver weight, and increased kidney weight at 26 days, may relate to this metabolic dysregulation, together with changes in other endocrine control mechanisms, e.g., reduced sensitivity to insulin or IGF-1, as shown for growth-restricted piglets (38).…”

Higher body fatness in intrauterine growth retarded juvenile pigs is associated with lower fat and higher carbohydrate oxidation during ad libitum and restricted feeding

“…This was termed the ‘catch-up fat phenomenon,’ whereas the rebuilding of muscles was delayed [32]. It has been reported previously that the development of the gastrointestinal tract of IUGR pigs and the maturation of the digestive function post-weaning were delayed [13, 33, 34]. This is thought to contribute to a reduced efficiency of nutrient utilization during growth [8].…”