Prebiotic Fiber Boosts Growth and Gut Health in Young Mammals During Weaning

Jenn Hoskins
14th June, 2024

Prebiotic Fiber Boosts Growth and Gut Health in Young Mammals During Weaning

Image Source: Samer Daboul (photographer)

Key Findings

  • The study from North Carolina State University found that supplementing piglets' diets with galactooligosaccharide (GOS) before and after weaning improved their growth performance
  • Piglets receiving GOS supplementation exhibited better intestinal health compared to those that did not receive GOS
  • GOS supplementation led to beneficial changes in the hindgut microbial community, promoting a healthier gut environment
Weaning stress significantly hampers the growth performance and overall health of young pigs. This challenge arises primarily from the abrupt dietary shift from highly digestible milk to fibrous plant-based feedstuffs. A recent study by North Carolina State University[1] explored whether the dietary inclusion of galactooligosaccharide (GOS) before and after weaning could mitigate these issues by enhancing growth performance and intestinal health through modifications in the hindgut microbial community. The study's core objective was to determine if GOS, a type of prebiotic, could positively influence the gut microbiota of weaning pigs, thereby improving their overall health and growth metrics. Prebiotics like GOS serve as food for beneficial gut bacteria, promoting a healthy microbiome. This approach aligns with previous research indicating that dietary interventions can significantly impact pig health and performance. For instance, the addition of pre- and probiotics has shown growth and health benefits in weanling pigs under immune challenges[2]. The researchers divided the piglets into groups, with some receiving GOS supplementation both before and after weaning, while others did not. They monitored growth performance, intestinal health, and changes in the hindgut microbial community. The results were promising: piglets receiving GOS supplementation exhibited better growth performance and improved intestinal health compared to those that did not receive GOS. This study's findings align with earlier research that has demonstrated the benefits of dietary interventions on pig health. For example, fermented liquid feeding has been shown to improve growth performance and intestinal function in pigs[3]. Similarly, the inclusion of prebiotics and probiotics in pig diets has been associated with enhanced immune responses and better overall health[2]. The study also builds on the understanding that early dietary experiences can influence post-weaning performance. Previous research has shown that creep feed consumption before weaning can stimulate early post-weaning feed intake and improve post-weaning performance[4]. By supplementing with GOS both pre- and post-weaning, the study aimed to provide a continuous beneficial effect on the gut microbiota, thereby supporting better growth and health outcomes. The mechanism behind these improvements can be attributed to the role of GOS in promoting beneficial gut bacteria, which in turn enhance nutrient absorption and overall gut health. This aligns with findings from other studies that have highlighted the importance of gut microbiota in animal health. For example, fermented liquid feeding has been shown to increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus while reducing harmful bacteria like Escherichia coli[3]. In conclusion, this study from North Carolina State University provides compelling evidence that GOS supplementation both before and after weaning can significantly improve growth performance and intestinal health in young pigs by fostering a healthy hindgut microbial community. This approach not only aligns with earlier findings on the benefits of dietary interventions but also offers a practical solution to mitigate the adverse effects of weaning stress.

HealthBiochemAnimal Science

References

Main Study

1) Prebiotic galactooligosaccharide improves piglet growth performance and intestinal health associated with alterations of the hindgut microbiota during the peri-weaning period

Published 13th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-024-01047-y

Related Studies

2) Effects of mannan oligosaccharides and Lactobacillus mucosae on growth performance, immune response, and gut health of weanling pigs challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides.

https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skab286

3) Fermented Diet Liquid Feeding Improves Growth Performance and Intestinal Function of Pigs.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051452

4) Effect of creep feed consumption on individual feed intake characteristics and performance of group-housed weanling pigs.

Journal: Journal of animal science, Issue: Vol 80, Issue 6, Jun 2002


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