Research has uncovered significant insights about how dietary interventions for sows and piglets impact gut health, which could shape future practices in animal nutrition and possibly inform human dietary strategies, too.
A study led by Wageningen University researchers, published on April 1, 2025, compared how maternal dietary interventions administered through lactation feed, versus direct neonatal interventions via oral gavage, affect the gut functionality and microbiota of piglets. The research focused on three different dietary additives: medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), beta-glucans (BG), and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), known for their distinct modes of action.
During the study at Trouw Nutrition's Swine Research Centre in the Netherlands, researchers noted the importance of the timing and method of dietary interventions. They found out surprisingly distinct effects depending on whether the dietary components were delivered to the sow or directly to the piglet. This distinction is particularly important because the early life stage of piglets is considered a 'window of opportunity' for shaping long-term gut health.
Previous research indicates the gastrointestinal tract of pigs goes beyond simply absorbing nutrients; it serves as a barrier, engages in detoxification, and plays a role in immune responses. Consequently, the intestinal microbiota, which is influenced by dietary factors from the earliest stages of life, becomes pivotal for overall health.
The study's findings reveal significant differences based on the route of administration. For example, maternal administration of MCFA improved alpha diversity—which refers to the number of different species—within piglet microbiota on the first day post-birth, indicating this method might boost beneficial gut bacteria more effectively than neonatal treatment.
Interestingly, the researchers observed differing gene expressions linked to digestive processes and immunity. Maternal interventions produced 816 differentially expressed genes at day one for GOS and 99 for MCFA at day 31, demonstrating the far-reaching impacts of nutrition during early life.
The findings also highlighted potential pathways related to immune responses and metabolism. Specifically, MCFA enriched pathways associated with immune processes, reinforcing the idea of the additive's significant role during this developmental stage.
While the neonatal administration also yielded results, such as 94 differentially expressed genes for MCFA administered directly to piglets, the authors cautioned about the limited impact of certain additives via this method. Notably, BG did not show significant gene expression changes, emphasizing the necessity of selecting the appropriate method of dietary intervention based on the specific additive used.
The authors state, "The combination of a feed additive and the route of administration affects the outcome on gut health of piglets." They also note the need for improved dietary strategies aimed at reducing antibiotic use, particularly around weaning when digestive distress often occurs.
The implication of improved gut health through dietary strategies extends beyond livestock; it could also inform human infant nutrition, considering shared physiological traits between pigs and humans. Better knowledge about optimizing gut function could pave the way for more resilient immune systems and healthier developmental outcomes.
Concluding their findings, the authors recommend food regimes for sows and piglets be re-evaluated considering these insights, advocating for targeted supplementation to maximize gut health outcomes for piglets.