Suckling Induces Differential Gut Enzyme Activity and Body Composition Compared to Feeding Milk Replacer in Piglets

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate differences in growth, hematology, metabolism, small intestine (SI) morphology, and enzyme activity of sow-reared piglets (SOW) compared to artificially reared piglets (MILK) given milk replacers in two different environments. Thirty-six piglets were selected at birth based on their birth weight; eighteen were kept on a commercial farm, another eighteen transferred to an animal research facility for artificial rearing. Differences were observed in enzymatic activity, with a larger amount of sucrase in the SOW compared with MILK group across the SI. SOW piglets also had a body composition with a larger amount of fat, muscle, and bone mass content. Differences in hematology were observed, suggesting environmental influences, biochemistry differences reflective of the diets given, and finally, an increased dry matter (DM) intake in SOW piglets was estimated. No differences were observed in immune function and only small differences in the gut integrity were found between the two groups. It can be concluded that body composition and enzyme activity can be manipulated through dietary intervention and that an increase in DM during lactation is beneficial for gut function. The study warrants further investigation into what this means for the subsequent weaning period.

Effects of early postnatal gastric and colonic microbiota transplantation on piglet gut health

“…[48]formula due to the risk of diarrhea, based on earlier experience from other studies at our research facilities. Therefore, a lower growth rate in our piglets was expected compared to sow-reared piglets under conventional settings, which corresponds with the ndings in Amdi et al, [49]. However, no differences in growth was observed between the three intervention groups and CON.…”

“…Due to the absence of the most common pathogens in the donor material and the occurrence of diarrhea in both the CON group and the experimental group, it is more likely that the diarrhea episodes were a result of the stress of single housing and shift from sows milk to milk replacer. Previous studies have demonstrated that such a transition can impact the integrity of the small intestinal barrier and raise the likelihood of experiencing diarrhea (49). Notably, the overall high prevalence of spontaneous diarrhea among all groups may have masked the treatment effects and should therefore be regarded as a limitation of the study.…”