Weaning Induces Both Transient and Long-Lasting Modifications of Absorptive, Secretory, and Barrier Properties of Piglet Intestine

Abstract

This study investigated intestinal physiology of piglets at weaning. Piglets (n = 60) weaned at 21 d were food deprived for 2 d and then tube-fed using 2 different diets (a conventional diet vs. a wheat-enriched diet). They were slaughtered at d 0, 2, 5, 8, or 15 postweaning. Jejunum, ileum, and colon were mounted in Ussing chambers. In addition, segments of the proximal jejunum of 4 growing pigs were studied 35 d after weaning. Secretory function was assessed by basal short-circuit current (Isc) and secretagogue-stimulated Isc. Glucose absorption was measured by the increase in Isc after the addition of glucose. Epithelial barrier function was measured by transmucosal resistance (R) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) fluxes across the epithelium. There were no significant differences between the pigs fed the 2 diets for any of the parameters studied. As already reported, a transient villous atrophy was observed. At the same time, we observed an increased basal Isc in jejunum and colon, increased glucose absorption and a dramatic drop of R in jejunum. These parameters had returned to preweaning values by d 5. Weaning was also followed by long-lasting modifications. In jejunum, responses to the secretagogues and glucose absorption were decreased at wk 2 after weaning and were not different between d 15 and 35. Ileal transmucosal resistance increased on d 5 and was stable thereafter. HRP flux in jejunum declined on d 2 and stayed at this low level throughout the experiment. We conclude that weaning induces transient dramatic changes in intestinal physiology but is also a period of maturation of the intestine.

Increasing weaning age of piglets from 4 to 7 weeks reduces stress, increases post-weaning feed intake but does not improve intestinal functionality

“…The increased permeability of HRP on day 7 after weaning is not congruent with data of tube-fed weaned piglets in which the permeability of HRP dropped 2 days after weaning and stayed at that level for the following 14 days (Boudry et al, 2004), but is in agreement with an increase of permeability of mannitol after weaning as observed before Verdonk et al, 2001). Increases in macromolecular permeability is associated with stress (Kiliaan et al, 1998;van Kalkeren, 2002) and underfeeding (Vente-Spreeuwenberg and Beynen, 2003) in rats and piglets.…”

Intestinal development and growth performance of early-weaned piglets fed a low-threonine diet

“…Villous atrophy is associated to gut disorders and malnutrition such as occurring at weaning, in parenterally fed animals or in animals suffering from infectious diseases. In these different situations, it is frequently associated with functional disturbances such as alteration of absorption capacity (Pluske et al, 1995;Marion et al, 2003) and permeability (McCracken et al, 1999;Kansagra et al, 2003;Boudry et al, 2004). In the present study, villous atrophy was associated with a reduction in aminopeptidase N-specific activity in the ileum.…”

Transient effects of weaning on the health of newly weaning piglets

“…This finding was consistent with our results. Even though we did not record feed intake in the weaning group, the reduction in body weight was mainly attributed to low feed intakes (Hampson and Kidder 1986;Appleby et al 1991;Fraser et al 1994;Bruininx et al 2002;Boudry et al 2004;Yin et al 2015).…”