Negative consequences of reduced protein diets supplemented with synthetic amino acids for performance, intestinal barrier function, and caecal microbiota composition of broiler chickens.

The consequences of feeding broiler chickens with reduced protein (RP) diets for gut health and barrier function are not well understood. This study was performed to elucidate the effect of reducing dietary protein and source of protein on gut health and performance parameters. Four experimental diets included 2 control diets with standard protein levels either containing meat and bone meal (CMBM) or an all-vegetable diet (CVEG), a medium RP diet (17.

Effects of Caffeine and Glucose Supplementation at Birth on Piglet Pre-Weaning Growth, Thermoregulation, and Survival.

Piglet pre-weaning mortality of approximately 15% represents a major economic and welfare concern to the pork industry. Supplementing neonatal piglets with glucose and/or caffeine has the potential to counteract hypoxic stress experienced during parturition and provide an energy substrate, which may improve survival to weaning. This study investigated the effects of caffeine and glucose supplementation at birth, in combination or separately, on piglet growth, thermoregulatory ability, and pre-weaning survival.

Maternal supplementation with phytogenic additives influenced the faecal microbiota and reproductive potential in sows.

Sows undergo physiological stress during gestation and lactation, potentially leading to enteric dysbiosis and reduced reproductive potential. Phytogenic additives (PFs) may improve performance via their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. This study determined whether the provision of a gestation/lactation diet containing PAs would alter the gastrointestinal microbiota of sows and their piglets, and improve performance.

Exposure to maternal feces in lactation influences piglet enteric microbiota, growth, and survival preweaning.

It is known that gilt progeny performance is reduced compared with sow progeny. Previous research suggests that the presence of maternal feces in early life improves the health and survival of offspring. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether contact with feces from multiparous (MP) sows would improve the growth and survival of piglets born and reared on primiparous (P1) sows and if so, whether these differences are associated with the gut microbiota.

Characterisation of Early Microbial Colonisers within the Spiral Colon of Pre- and Post-Natal Piglets.

Initial enteric microbial colonisation influences animal health and disease, hence an understanding of the first microbial colonisers within the piglet is important. The spiral colon of piglets that were stillborn ( = 20), born-alive ( = 10), and born alive and had sucked ( = 9) were collected from 28 sows to investigate whether initial microbial colonisation occurs pre- or post-partum and how it develops during the first 24 h post-partum. To examine this, DNA was extracted and 16S rRNA amplicon analysis was performed to allow analysis of microbial communities.

A Single Faecal Microbiota Transplantation Altered the Microbiota of Weaned Pigs.

Weaning is a stressful time for piglets, often leading to weight loss and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A leading cause for these post-weaning problems is enteric dysbiosis and methods to improve piglet health at this crucial developmental stage are needed. This study aimed to determine whether an enteric dysbiosis caused by weaning could be corrected via a faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from healthy piglets from a previous wean.

Faecal Microbiota Analysis of Piglets During Lactation.

Antimicrobial use in animals and the potential development of antimicrobial resistance is a global concern. So, non-antimicrobial techniques for animal disease control are needed. This study aimed to determine whether neonatal ceftiofur (CF) treatment affects piglet faecal microbiomes and whether faecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) can correct it.

Development and Function of the Intestinal Microbiome and Potential Implications for Pig Production.

The intestinal microbiota has received a lot of attention in recent times due to its essential role in the immune system development and function. Recent work in humans has demonstrated that the first year of life is the most critical time period for microbiome development with perturbations during this time being proven to have long term health consequences. In this review, we describe the literature surrounding early life events in humans and mice that contribute to intestinal microbiota development and function, and compare this to piglets predominantly during their lactation period, which focuses on the impact lactation management practices may have on the intestinal microbiota.