FeedImmunityPig gut healthPig nutrition

Health management of nursery piglets through nutrition

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Conference Report

An optimized gut function is essential for pigs’ overall health and performance. When managed correctly, gut health can significantly enhance growth, immunity, and productivity. However, if gut health is compromised, it can lead to lifetime negative impacts on a pig’s performance.

Early feed intake enhances GIT development

Dr. Edwards emphasized that good health and performance in the nursery are closely linked to maintaining feed intake, which is essential for developing stomach capacity and function. A larger stomach capacity increases the exposure to digestive enzymes and prolongs stomach dwell time.

Acid output takes time to develop and develops in response to substrate. It directly influences stomach pH and is closely related to pepsin output, which, on its part, influences protein digestibility and the risk of diarrhea.

Protein and immunity

Protein is a double-edged sword, warned Dr. Edwards:

  • Excess or undigested protein can create inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. This occurs when the metabolism of surplus protein leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage cells and tissues, further exacerbating inflammatory responses. Chronic inflammation may impair immune responses, making pigs more susceptible to infections and diseases.
  • On the other hand, a deficiency in amino acids can limit immune response. Amino acids do more than build muscle – they are critical for synthesizing antibodies and other immune-related proteins. Without adequate levels, pigs may struggle to mount effective immune responses, increasing their vulnerability to pathogens.

Table 1: Effects of amino acids on pig gut health and functions (Yang & Liao, 2019)

Amino acid Functions
Glutamine/glutamate
  • Metabolic fuel for rapidly dividing cells, including lymphocytes, enterocytes
  • maintains or enhances villus height/crypt depth
  • enhances microbial diversity
  • is utilized to synthesize GSH and protect against oxidative stress
  • stimulates both innate and adaptive immunity
Arginine
  • promotes intestinal healing and reverses intestinal dysfunction
  • has anti-inflammatory effects
Cysteine
  • is utilized to synthesize GSH (antioxidant)
  • utilized to synthesize taurine (antioxidant/cell membrane stabilizer)
  • utilized for mucin synthesis (physical protection)
Threonine
  • utilized for mucin synthesis
  • important component of immunoglobulins
  • enhances microbial diversity
Glycine
  • anti-inflammatory effects
  • utilized to synthesize GSH (antioxidant)
Methionine
  • acts as an antioxidant by protecting other proteins against oxidative damage
  • important for the proliferation of lymphocytes

Diets should be formulated to all ten essential amino acids (arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine) while ensuring a ratio of about 50:50 for essential amino acids to non-essential amino acids is optimal for nitrogen retention and utilization in pigs.

During immune challenges, the pig’s amino acid requirements, including methionine, cysteine, tryptophan, threonine, and glutamine, increase relative to lysine. Well-known examples are threonine, a key component of mucin (and immunoglobulins), supporting gut health and integrity during stress, and glutamine, a major energy source for rapidly dividing cells in the immune system.

Microbiome evolution and modulation

The microbiota of the pig evolves from birth up to about 20 weeks of age. The alpha diversity (the number of species) and species richness increase with age. The pig microbiome consists of both permanent members that establish stable populations throughout life and transient members that may fluctuate based on dietary changes or environmental factors.

Microbiome modulation through the diet

Diet can influence the rate and maturity of microbiota evolution. For instance, diets rich in fiber and specific carbohydrates can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. In contrast, diets high in protein can increase potentially harmful bacteria if not appropriately balanced.

Understanding these dynamics is critical for optimizing nutrition strategies that support gut health and overall performance in pigs. Proper management of dietary components can lead to healthier microbiomes, enhancing nutrient absorption and immune responses throughout the pig’s life.

The following strategies accelerate the maturation of the microbiome, the gut, and the immune system:

  • Promoting and maintaining feed intake: consistent feed intake is crucial for microbial development. Early access to solid feed helps establish a diverse microbiome.
  • Raw material continuity: variability in feed composition can disrupt microbial communities, leading to dysbiosis. A step-wise approach to diet changes, with a broad range of ingredients at low inclusion levels, is recommended.
  • Regulating digest transit time: the rate at which digesta moves through the gastrointestinal tract affects nutrient absorption and microbial colonization. Strategies to optimize transit time, such as increasing particle size and incorporating insoluble fibers, can enhance nutrient digestibility and promote a healthy microbiome by allowing beneficial microbes to thrive.
  • Feeder access: adequate access to feeders encourages regular feeding behavior, supporting consistent nutrient intake and microbial activity. Frequent feeding can help maintain stable gut conditions conducive to microbial growth.
  • Inert fiber: helps maintain gut motility and provides substrates for beneficial bacteria, contributing to a balanced microbiome.
  • Minimizing stress: stress can negatively impact gut integrity and microbial balance, increasing susceptibility to infections and other health issues.
  • Limiting the use of antibiotics helps preserve the natural gut microbiota, which is essential for maintaining health and preventing disease. The use of antibiotics can lead to dysbiosis, making pigs more vulnerable to infections and impairing immune responses.

Limitations in the use of AGPs, Zn, and Cu require rethinking in pig nutrition

Reduced access to in-feed antibiotics and pharmacological levels of zinc and copper have exposed nutritional shortcomings for nursery pigs. Preventive strategies through nutrition, carefully designed diets, and optimal use of eubiotics and functional ingredients are the keys to getting pigs off to a healthy and efficient start.

Nursery nutrition programs should be designed for long-term gut health, efficiency, and functionality. The level of investment will depend on the weaning age/weight, health status, labor quality, etc., noted Dr. Edwards.

EW Nutrition’s Swine Academy took place in Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok in October 2024. Dr. Megan Edwards, an Australian animal nutrition consultant with global research and praxis experience and a keen interest in immuno-nutrition and functional nutrients, was an esteemed guest speaker at this event.

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