23 Nov 2022
With constant changes and the rapid evolution of molecular technologies, the gastrointestinal microbiota of pigs has been studied quite in depth over the last few years. Becoming better known and playing a fundamental role in both animal health and welfare.
| The gut microbiota provides the pig with many functions, including an improved energy-collecting capacity, volatile fatty acid production, vitamin K production, cellulose fermentation, and increased resistance against pathogenic bacteria. |
Interestingly, the gut of newborns before birth is thought to be devoid of microbes. However,it quickly undergoes a remarkable shift from an essentially germ-free state to an extremely dense microbial population which eventually experiences microbial successions, and establishes a microbial community that is similar to that of adults.
Gut microbial composition and the ecological succession of gut microbiota in the first years of life are determined by various complex internal and external factors. For example:
All of these play an important role in shaping piglets’ gut microbial community.
| Weaning in the early stages of life, represents a significant time of transition and stress for the animals. |
Understanding the dynamics of pigs’ gut microbiota during the transition to weaning is of great interest, as it influences the overall health and growth performance of pigs.
TRANSITION TO WEANING AND MICROBIOTA COMPOSITION
Weaning is an abrupt separation of piglets from the sow, characterized by stressful changes that can contribute to intestinal and immune dysfunctions. Resulting in reductions in both the health status and growth performance of piglets. 
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AUTHORS
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César Ocasio Vega
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Mineral nutrition and its association with mastitis in dairy herds
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Thermal treatment of raw materials used in ruminant diets- Part 1
Braulio De La Calle
Functional amino acids & intestinal health in weaned piglets
Marcelo Dourado de Lima
Use of prebiotics, probiotics & synbiotics as additives in aquaculture
Laís Santana Celestino Mantovani
Nutritional strategies to mitigate heat stress in lactating sows
Marcelo Dourado de Lima
Fiber and its influence on the intestinal function of dogs
Camilla Mariane Menezes Souza
Vegetable fats, oils and their by-products (Raw Materials)
Alba Cerisuelo
