Characterizing the dietary and physiological factors related to gut health in newly-weaned pigs

Critical to development of successful strategies to improve short- and long-term growth and health of pigs is to understand the impact of dietary factors on intestinal health of newly-weaned pigs. This will become increasingly important as additional pressure is placed on the livestock industry to replace animal-based protein sources, include higher levels of plant and alternative feedstuffs, and reduce antibiotic use. Dietary indigestible protein content (protein not absorbed in the small intestine) is available for microbial fermentation and may have detrimental effects on gut health, with high protein diets predisposing pigs to post-weaning diarrhea due to intestinal pathogens. While the overall goal is to limit dietary indigestible protein content, with the move away from animal protein-containing nursery diets and inclusion of more plant-based proteins, which contain higher amounts of indigestible protein, this will become increasingly difficult. Information on key factors associated with gut health will aid in the development and evaluation of additional dietary strategies, such as inclusion of dietary fibre, to improve intestinal function, animal health, and animal performance.

Faculty Supervisor:

Denise Beaulieu;Rex Newkirk

Student:

Partner:

Prairie Swine Centre Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program: