Sophorolipid protects against early-weaning syndrome by improving the gut microenvironment in early-weaned piglets

Abstract

Background In animals, weaning stress is the first and most critical stress. Weaning can negatively affect the growth performance of animals physically, psychologically, and pathologically. Our previous studies on the HT-29 cell line and early-weaned rats demonstrated that adequate sophorolipid (SPL) supplementation in feed could enhance the mucin-producing and wound healing capacities of the gut defense system by modulating gut microbiota. Methods We conducted an experiment with one hundred forty 21-day-old early weaned piglets (L x Y x D). They were allocated into 4 treatment and 7 replications (4 pigs per pen) according to their initial body weight. Body weight and feed intake were measured biweekly during experimental period. After 6 weeks, 28 pigs were randomly selected and sacrificed to collect plasma, jejunum, and cecal content samples. Results Dietary SPL supplementation at 5 and 10 mg/kg quadratically increased the average daily gain during the experimental period in the treatment groups when compared with the control group. The albumin levels of piglets fed with the SPL supplemented diet were downregulated to the normal range. Moreover, in feed, SPL supplementation at 5 and 10 mg/kg improved jejunal histological indices and gene expression levels related to mucin secretion and local inflammation markers. Consistent with these results, adequate SPL supplementation (5 and 10 mg/kg) increased the population of Prevotella, a beneficial bacterium, and its short-chain fatty acid production in the ceca of piglets. Conclusions The occurrence of diarrhea after weaning in piglets could be reduced by feeding a 10 ppm of SPL supplemented diet which improves the gut defense system by improving the microbial population and enhancing mucin layer integrity.

Dietary Palygorskite Clay-Adsorbed Nano-ZnO Supplementation Improves the Intestinal Barrier Function of Weanling Pigs

“…Weaning influences the intestinal mucosal immunity and growth performance of pigs ( 20 ). Intestinal mucosal immunity is an important factor for the intestinal development of pigs.…”

Effects of Sophorolipid on Growth Performance, Organ Characteristics, Lipid Digestion Markers, and Gut Functionality and Integrity in Broiler Chickens

“…In our study, dietary SPL supplementation quadratically increased SCFA production at high concentrations of propionate and butyrate. Our previous studies also showed that SPL-supplemented feed could enhance SCFA concentrations by modulating the gut microbiota population in diverse animal models [ 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”