Age and incubation time effects on in vitro caecal fermentation pattern in rabbits before and after weaning.

The caecal fermentation pattern was studied in four litters of rabbits. Rabbits were sequentially slaughtered at the age of 4 (before weaning), 6, 8 and 11 weeks. Their caecal contents were analyzed and incubated in vitro at 39 degrees C for 6 and 12 h. Net productions of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), hydrogen and methane were determined. The average caecal weight increased three-times within two weeks after weaning, from 31.4 to 93.7 g. At the end of the experiment, the caecal weight was on average 134.4 g. A large variability of the SCFA concentration observed before weaning decreased after weaning. Measurements of caecal metabolite profiles and results of in vitro experiments indicated a certain decrease of propionate in favour of butyrate, associated with the weaning. The establishment of methanogens in rabbits was slow. Methanogenesis started in one out of four rabbits at the age of 6 weeks. Five weeks later, one of four rabbits still did not produce methane. The hydrogen recovery decreased between the 4th and the 6th week of age, due to the increase of the butyrate/propionate ratio. After the 6th week, the hydrogen recovery increased with age, apparently because of the increase in methane production. Hydrogen recovery tended to increase during incubation, suggesting a decrease of reductive acetogenesis. This increase was observed both in methanogenic and non-methanogenic rabbit caecal cultures. In former cultures, the ratio CH4/SCFA rose with time of incubation.     

Fermentation of carbohydrates and yield of microbial protein in mixed cultures of rabbit caecal microorganisms.

Fermentation pattern and yields of microbial protein were investigated in cultures of the rabbit caecal contents supplied with glucose, xylose, starch, pectin and xylan. Rabbits at the age of 4 weeks (before weaning) and 3 months were slaughtered, their caecal contents added at 1.1% to growth media and incubated anaerobically at 39 degrees C for 18 h. Caecal microorganisms of 4-week-old rabbits produced no methane and caproate, less butyrate, but more propionate than microorganisms of 3-month-old rabbits. In both groups of rabbits, fermentation of xylose produced significantly more propionate and less butyrate than fermentation of glucose. More propionate and less acetate was formed from starch than from pectin. In caecal cultures from 4-week-old rabbits with pectin, the molar percentages of acetate was significantly higher and percentages of other short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) lower than in cultures with starch or xylan. In cultures from 3-month-old rabbits, fermentation of pectin and xylan produced similar SCFA profiles, different from SCFA molar composition in cultures with starch. Average production of microbial protein was 129 mg per 1 g of carbohydrate digested (range 110 to 141 mg/g). Protein yields were the same on glucose and xylose, but nonsignificantly higher on starch than on pectin and xylan. It can be concluded that the characteristics of substrate affected fermentation pattern in mixed cultures of rabbit caecal microorganisms. Substrate effects on protein yields were not statistically significant, due to high variation.     

Effect of Different Weaning Ages on Main Digestive Enzymes Activities in the Small Intestinal Contents of Lamb

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different weaning ages on pH and the main digestive enzymes activities in the small intestinal contents of lamb. Fifty-five male lambs of Gansu modern breeding sheep group with(3.43±1.15)kg initial body weight were divided into 3 treatments randomly that were control group (sucking,25 lambs), group Ⅰ (weaning at 28 days old, 15 lambs), and group Ⅱ(weaning at 42 days old,15 lambs).5 lambs from each group were slaughtered at 12 h,7 d and 14 d after weaning,respectively,and the the change of pH and activities of α-amylase,trypsin,chympotrypsin and lipase were measured in the small intestinal contents. The results showed that the effects of pH and the main digestive enzymes activities could be expressed sensitively in the contents of duodenum. From duodenum to ileum,the effects of weaning turned weakening gradually,and it did not show a high-impact on pH,trypsin and lipase activities. There was no significant influence in the recovery time to the normal levels of the main digestive enzymes activities in the small intestinal contents by different weaning ages,the recovery time of α-amylase in group Ⅰ was shorter than group Ⅱ. In this trail condition,it was feasible to wean at 28 days of age,and it had no significant difference in the recovery ability of main digestive enzymes in the small intestinal contents weaning at 28 and 42 days old.     

断奶日龄对舍饲羔羊小肠内容物中主要消化酶活性的影响

为研究早期断奶日龄对羔羊小肠各段pH及主要消化酶活性的影响,选用55只初生重为（3.43±1.15）kg的甘肃现代肉羊育种群哺乳公羔,按同质原则分成3组,即对照组（正常吮乳组,25只）、Ⅰ组（28日龄断奶组,15只）和Ⅱ组（42日龄断奶组,15只）。在断奶12 h、7 d和14 d后从每个处理中随机抽取5只羔羊屠宰,测定小肠各段pH、α-淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶、糜蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性变化。结果显示,十二指肠食糜能够更为敏感地表达断奶对小肠pH及主要消化酶活性的影响。从小肠近端至远端,断奶对各肠段内容物pH及主要消化酶活性的影响逐渐减弱;断奶对小肠内容物pH、胰蛋白酶活性和脂肪酶活性影响较小;断奶日龄对羔羊小肠主要消化酶活性恢复所需要的时间影响不大,28日龄断奶组小肠α-淀粉酶活性恢复时间较42日龄断奶组短。本试验条件下,对羔羊实施28日龄断奶可行,且羔羊小肠主要消化酶活性恢复能力不逊于42日龄断奶羔羊。     

Analysis of Microbiota Structure and Bacteroides Distribution in Different Intestinal Segments in Duck

This study aimed to analyze the microbiota composition and diversity and the distribution of Bacteroides in duodenal, jejunal, ileal and caecal contents in healthy ducks. The contents of duodenum, jejunum, ileum and cecum were collected aseptically from 20 healthy adult Gaoyou ducks (70-day-old, half male and female), and the bacterial DNA of intestinal contents were extracted. The IonS5TMXL platform was used for 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing, the microbiota structure and abundance, as well as the distribution of Bacteroides were analyzed. The results showed that the microbiota abundance in duodenal and jejunal contents was significantly higher than that in ileal and caecal contents (P<0.05), the microbiota diversity in ileal contents was the lowest. The microbiota structure in duodenal and jejunal contents was similar, they were different from that in ileum, and especially cecum. The dominant phyla in the intestinal contents of healthy duck were Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria. The relative abundance of these phyla were different in different intestinal segment contents. The different microbial species were colonized in different intestinal segments, and the differential phyla in duodenum, jejunum, ileum and cecum were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, respectively. There were 28 kinds of Bacteroides species in duck intestine, among them, B. acidifaciens, B. barnesiae, B. caccae, B. caecicola, B. coprocola, B. sp and B. luti were significantly clustered in the cecum, and B. caecigallinarum, B. plebeius and B. barnesiae were dominantly colonized in duck cecum. The results indicate that intestinal space significantly affects the microbiota abundance and diversity, and different intestinal segments were colonized by differential microorganism, which is consistent with the intestinal segment niche and function. In the cecum, the dominant colonization of Bacteroides may be related to its physiological and biochemical functions.     

鸭不同肠段内菌群结构分析与拟杆菌分布研究

旨在分析健康鸭十二指肠、空肠、回肠和盲肠内容物菌群组成、多样性特征以及拟杆菌分布。本研究选择健康高邮鸭20只,公母各半,70日龄时无菌采集十二指肠、空肠、回肠和盲肠内容物,提取肠道内容物细菌基因组,利用IonS5TMXL平台进行高通量测序,分析肠道内容物菌群结构与丰度特征以及拟杆菌的分布。结果表明,十二指肠、空肠内容物菌群丰度显著高于回肠和盲肠内容物（P<0.05）,回肠内容物菌群多样性最低;十二指肠和空肠内菌群群落结构较为相似,与回肠,特别是盲肠的相似度较小。健康鸭肠内优势菌门为拟杆菌门（Bacteroidetes）、厚壁菌门（Firmicutes）、变形菌门（Proteobacteria）和梭杆菌门（Fusobacteria）,上述菌门在各肠段内容物中相对丰度不同;不同肠段内容物中定植了不同差异微生物物种,十二指肠、空肠、回肠和盲肠内容物中差异菌门分别是变形菌门、放线菌门（Actinobacteria）、厚壁菌门和拟杆菌门。鸭肠道中共分析到28种拟杆菌种,其中B.acidifaciens、B.barnesiae、B.caccae、B.caecicola、B.coprocola、B.sp和B.luti在盲肠内容物中显著聚类,且B.caecigallinarum、B.plebeius和B.barnesiae在鸭盲肠中优势定植。结果显示,鸭肠段空间显著影响了其内容物中菌群丰度与多样性,不同肠段内定植了差异的优势微生物物种,这可能与肠段小环境以及功能一致,在盲肠内容物中优势定植拟杆菌,推测可能与鸭盲肠生理生化功能相关。     

Study on Relationship between Intestinal Epithelium Tight Junction Proteins mRNA Expression and Piglets Weaning Diarrhea

The experiment was carried out to compare diarrhea status between Min pig and Landrace pig in a week after weaning, detect two varieties piglets jejunum, ileum and colon tight proteins Zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)and Occludin mRNA expression before and after weaning. The intention was to discuss the relationship between tight proteins expression and piglets weaning diarrhea. The results showed that Min piglets diarrhea rate, diarrhea frequency were very significantly lower than Landrace pig within one week after weaning (P<0.01), diarrhea days was significantly lower than Landrace pig within one week after weaning (P<0.05);Min piglets not weaning group ileum and colon ZO-1 and Occludin mRNA expression was very significantly higher than Landrace pig not weaning group (P<0.01);Min piglets weaning diarrhea group ileum and colon ZO-1 and Occludin mRNA expression was significantly higher than weaning health group (P<0.05). The results indicated that Min piglets intestinal tight junction proteins mRNA high expression before weaning might be had relation with guarantee piglets intestinal health and decrease occurrence diarrhea;Min pig fast recover intestinal mucosa function and rehabilitation by increased tight junction proteins mRNA expression after weaning. So tight junction proteins mRNA high expression before and after weaning had an important significance for piglets to resist weaning diarrhea.     

Caecum odd-numbered and branched-chain fatty acid composition in response to dietary changes in fattening rabbits

The study aimed to describe the interactions between nutrition and caecal bacteria abundance using odd-numbered and branched-chain fatty acids (OBCFA). Following a 2 × 2 factorial design, 47 rabbits were fed diets with two levels of digestible fibre (DF, 180 vs. 260 g/kg DM) supplemented with soybean oil (SO, 20 g/kg) or not. At 77 days of age, fatty acid (FA) composition was determined in caecal contents. The microbial origin of OBCFA vs. dietary FA in caecal contents was illustrated by clustering of these FA in the loading plots of principal component analysis. The contribution of odd-numbered FA in the OBCFA pattern was increased (p < 0.05) for high DF diets, whereas that of branched-chain FA decreased (p < 0.05), indicating potential shifts in the relative abundance of Gram-negative and Gram-positive fibrolytic bacteria respectively. Soybean oil reduced the relative importance of OBCFA (p < 0.001) in total microbial FA; however, its effects appeared to depend on the readily available fermentable substrate, as indicated by the DF × SO interactions (p < 0.001). In conclusion, OBCFA may be potentially used as markers of caecum function, but further detailed studies are necessary to validate their use as diagnostic tools in rabbit nutrition.     

日粮ADF水平对生长肉兔氮平衡、免疫及消化酶活性的影响

选用100只体重相近的35日龄断奶新西兰肉兔,随机分为5组,分别饲喂5种酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)水平(13%、16%、19%、22%和25%)的日粮,探讨我国生长肉兔适宜的ADF需要量。结果表明:日粮ADF水平对2月龄肉兔氮沉积、氮表观消化率和利用率影响显著(P<0.05),对可消化氮及可消化氮转化为沉积氮的效率无显著影响(P>0.05)。随ADF水平升高,试兔胸腺指数先增加后降低(P>0.05),脾脏指数呈不断增大趋势(P>0.05)。日粮ADF水平对十二指肠淀粉酶和盲肠纤维素酶活性影响显著(P<0.05),对胰蛋白酶和胰凝乳蛋白酶活性无显著影响(P>0.05)。综合分析,断奶至2月龄肉兔适宜的ADF水平为19%。     

早期断奶对仔猪空肠和回肠兴奋性氨基酸载体1表达的影响

本试验旨在研究仔猪出生后10~20 d,早期断奶仔猪小肠谷氨酸转运载体基因表达情况与哺乳仔猪的差异。试验分别从40头不同母猪的仔猪中各选出体重相近,10日龄的"杜×长×大"三元杂交仔猪1头,共40头仔猪,随机不配对分为2组,每组20头仔猪,对照组(哺乳组)为哺乳仔猪,随母猪喂养;试验组(断奶组)为断奶仔猪,隔离断奶饲养;试验期10 d。饲养结束,每组随机取12只仔猪,宰杀取空肠和回肠,测定谷氨酸转运载体兴奋性氨基酸转运载体1(EAAC1)蛋白质表达情况和游离氨基酸含量。结果显示,断奶显著降低了仔猪空肠和回肠EAAC1(57和73 ku)及其相关蛋白谷氨酸转运联合蛋白(GTRAP3-18)(50 ku)的蛋白质和mRNA表达量(P0.05)。断奶提高了仔猪空肠游离谷氨酸和总氨基酸含量,却降低了仔猪回肠游离谷氨酸和总氨基酸含量,差异显著(P0.05)。结果提示,早期断奶降低EAAC1和GTRAP3-18的蛋白质含量,这可能与早期断奶仔猪遭受营养谷氨酸缺乏导致的肠道氨基酸吸收转运障碍有关。     

杜长大肥育猪大肠食糜养分分析及不同蛋白质水平对猪盲肠微生物体外发酵特性的影响

本试验旨在用体外法研究不同蛋白质水平对杜长大肥育猪盲肠微生物发酵特性的影响。试验首先采集10头杜长大肥育猪大肠不同区段食糜,测定其主要养分含量,以确定食糜碳水化合物与粗蛋白质添加比例;然后以3头猪盲肠食糜为接种物,酪蛋白水解物为发酵底物进行体外发酵试验。试验组蛋白质水平分别为1.00、1.75和2.50 mg/m L,每组4个重复,37℃体外发酵24 h,测定产气量、p H以及氨态氮、菌体蛋白和短链脂肪酸含量。结果显示:1)猪盲肠食糜各养分含量在一定范围内变化,碳水化合物与粗蛋白质含量比范围为1.86~3.24,平均值为2.66。2)随着蛋白质水平的升高,产气量显著增加(P0.05),氨态氮、总短链脂肪酸、支链脂肪酸、乙酸、丁酸、戊酸、异丁酸和异戊酸含量显著升高(P0.05)。以上结果表明:猪大肠食糜中碳水化合物与粗蛋白质含量比在一定范围内变化,而盲肠微生物对蛋白质的发酵能力随底物蛋白质水平的升高而增强。     

Microbial diversity in the large intestine of pigs born and reared in different environments

Pigs born outdoors and reared on deep litter (straw) have been reported to experience less of a growth check after weaning and have a higher dressing percentage than counterparts born and reared under conventional (indoor) systems. The reason(s) for this difference is/are presently unknown, but differences in the gut environment might contribute to these observations. PCR-DGGE techniques were used in this study to examine microbial diversity and banding patterns in the large intestine of piglets that were reared under different rearing conditions. Six piglets per treatment were euthanised at weaning (21 days) and at 7 days and 21 days after weaning from two extreme treatments [indoor-born: conventionally-raised after weaning (‘Indoor’) or outdoor-born, deep-litter raised after weaning (‘Outdoor’)]. The Shannon diversity index was calculated, and multivariate analysis of banding patterns was performed. Indoor pigs had a more diverse bacterial population at weaning and 21 days after weaning than Outdoor pigs. However at the end of the first week after weaning, outdoor-born and deep-litter pigs had a more diverse microbiota. The Shannon diversity index continued to increase with time after weaning in Outdoor pigs, which did not occur in Indoor pigs. Multivariate analysis of banding patterns showed there was a trend (P = 0.109) for a difference in microbial structure depending on housing type. There was also a significant (P < 0.001) effect of sampling time after weaning and a significant interaction (P < 0.001) between housing and time after weaning.     

Changes in caecal microbiota and mucosal morphology of weaned pigs

An experiment was designed to monitor the changes in caecal microbiota associated with early weaning. Twelve piglets (20+/-2 days) from six different litters were selected from a commercial source. For the two experimental groups, one animal from each litter was weaned onto a post-weaning diet (W) and the other remained with the sow (S). After 1 week, animals were sacrificed and caecal samples taken. Microbial counts for total bacteria, enterobacteria and lactobacilli populations were determined by quantitative PCR using SYBR Green dye. Microbial profiles were assessed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (t-RFLP). Weaning promoted an increase in the enterobacteria:lactobacilli ratio (0.27 versus 1.67 log/log 16S rRNA gene copy number, P=0.05). Total bacteria and richness of the caecal microbial ecosystem (number of peaks) were similar in both experimental groups (49.3 for S and 53.4 for W, respectively, P=0.22), although the band patterns were clearly grouped in two different clusters by dendogram analysis. Weaning was also associated with a decrease in crypt density, an increase in mytotic index and a decrease in the number of goblet cells. A reduced immunological response was also observed and was manifested by an increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes and lymphocyte density in the lamina propria. Weaning appears to be critical in the establishment of the caecal microbiota in pigs with important changes, particularly in microbial groups and in caecal mucosal architecture.     

The aetiology of diarrhoea in pigs weaned at two days of age.

When pigs are weaned at two days of age large numbers of Excherichia coli appear in the anterior gut and the incidence of diarrhoea rises. The two phenomena do not appear to be directly related because the strains of E coli isolated are not serotypes previously found to be associated with neonatal pig scouring. Representative strains of the non-enteropathogenic serotypes did not produce enterotoxin and did not adhere to small intestine brush borders. Moreover when antibiotics were fed to eliminate E coli from the gut, the pigs still scoured. Rotavirus was detected in the gut contents and gut epithelium of scouring pigs and a bacteria-free filtrate of gut contents produced diarrhoea when administered to germ-free pigs. It is suggested that rotavirus may be one of the causes of the scouring seen shortly after weaning pigs at two days of age.     

Small intestinal morphology and activity of intestinal peptidases in piglets around weaning

The effect of weaning on small intestinal morphology and the activities of three intestinal peptidases was investigated from 3 days prior to weaning to 9 days post-weaning in 64 piglets. Villous height, crypt depth and mitotic counts were determined at three positions along the small intestine. The activities of aminopeptidase N, dipeptidylpeptidase IV and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were measured at five positions along the small intestine. The villous height was maximal on the day of weaning. Post-weaning, the villi shortened at the proximal positions of the small intestine and the minimal length was observed on day 3 after weaning. Villous height did not decrease distally in the small intestine. Increased crypt depth was observed from 3-7 days post-weaning at all positions examined. Mitotic counts showed increased proliferative activity in the crypts from the third day post-weaning. Weaning influenced the activity of aminopeptidase N and dipeptidylpeptidase IV. The activities declined until day 3 post-weaning. After that, the activities increased and they had reached pre-weaning values by day 9 post-weaning. Weaning had only minor effect on the activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. In summary, weaning induced changes in small intestinal morphology and enzyme activity. The changes were maximal on day 3 post-weaning and during the following days, a gradual recovery of the small intestine was observed.     

缓释复合酸化剂对断奶仔猪消化道酸度及肠道功能的影响

本试验选用28 R龄断奶、平均体质量(7.00±0.10)kg的长白猪(♂)×大白猪(♂)二元杂交仔猪64头,按单因索试验设计原则,研究在玉米一豆粕一膨化大豆型基础日粮中添加不同类型(包被未包被)复合酸化剂对断奶仔猪胃肠道酸度、生产性能、肠组织形态、消化酶活性、肠道微生物菌群及肠黏膜抗体SIgA的影响.试验设4个处理,每个处理4个重复,每个重复4头猪(公母各半),饲养试验时间为35 d.结果表明,微胶囊型缓释复合酸化剂可以极显著降低断奶仔猪胃和小肠pH(P＜0.01);极显著提高空肠绒毛高度和隐窝深度的比值(P＜0.01);断奶前期,显著提高小肠蔗糖酶和乳糖酶活性(P＜0.05);断奶后期,极显著提高仔猪盲肠和结肠中乳酸杆菌数量,降低大肠杆菌数量(P＜0.01);微胶囊型缓释复合酸化剂还有增加仔猪肠黏膜抗体SIgA分泌量的趋势(P＞0.05).结果提示,在断奶仔猪日粮中添加微胶囊型缓释复合酸化剂,可以通过降低肠道pH,优化肠道微生物区系,改善肠组织形态和功能,从而提高断奶仔猪肠道的消化力和适应性,并促进仔猪生长.     

Influence of the probiotic strain Bacillus cereus var. toyoi on the development of enterobacterial growth and on selected parameters of bacterial metabolism in digesta samples of piglets

The effect of the probiotic strain Bacillus cereus var . toyoi on enterobacterial growth and selected metabolic parameters in digesta samples from piglets before and shortly after weaning was studied. Growth capacities of enterobacteria in digesta samples were significantly reduced, but no correlation was found between enterobacterial growth and concentrations of short-chain fatty acids and lactic acid, which are often influenced by other probiotic preparations. Tendencies for higher amounts of short-chain fatty acids were only recorded in digesta samples from the end of the jejunum, caecum and colon from piglets receiving probiotic-supplemented feed. Lactic acid concentrations were reduced by the presence of B. cereus var. toyoi in feed in the first segment of the jejunum during the suckling period, while samples of the lower parts displayed an increased amount 4 days after weaning. Microbial activity of taurocholine deconjugating enzymes was significantly reduced in jejunum digesta from probiotic-fed piglets. There are strong indications that the early uptake of already modified microbial populations from faeces of the mother sow aids modification of intestinal microbial communities and their metabolic activities in piglets.     

Dietary fibre enrichment of supplemental feed modulates the development of the intestinal tract in suckling piglets

Background: Commercial pre-weaning diets are formulated to be highly digestible and nutrient-dense and contain low levels of dietary fibre. In contrast, pigs in a natural setting are manipulating fibre-rich plant material from a young age. Moreover, dietary fibre affects gastrointestinal tract(GIT) development and health in older pigs. We hypothesised that supplemental diets that contain vegetal fibres are accelerating GIT development in suckling piglets in terms of size and functionality. From d 2 of life, sow-suckled piglets had access to a low fibre diet(CON),a diet with a fermentable long-chain arabinoxylan(lc-AXOS), a diet with a largely non-fermentable purified cellulose(CELL), or a diet containing both fibres. During the initial 2 weeks, the control diet was a high-density milk replacer,followed by a dry and highly digestible creep meal. Upon weaning at 25 d, 15 piglets from each treatment group,identified as eaters and originating from six or seven litters, were sacrificed for post-mortem examination of GIT morphology, small intestinal permeability and metabolic profile of the digesta. The microbiota composition of the mid-colon was evaluated in a sub-set of ten piglets.Results: No major statistical interactions between the fibre sources were observed. Piglets consumed the fibrecontaining milk supplements and creep diets well. Stomach size and small intestinal permeability was not affected.Large intestinal fill was increased with lc-AXOS only, while relative large intestinal weight was increased with both fibre sources(P 0.050). Also, CELL decreased ileal pH and tended to increase ileal DM content compared to CON(P 0.050). Moreover, the concentration of volatile fatty acids was increased in the caecum(P 0.100) and midcolon(P 0.050) by addition of CELL. lc-AXOS only stimulated caecal propionate(P 0.050). The microbiota composition showed a high individual variation and limited dietary impact. Nonetheless, CELL induced minor shifts in specific genera, with notable reductions of Escherichia-Shigella.Conclusions: Adding dietary fibres to the supplemental diet of suckling piglets altered large intestinal morphology but not small intestinal permeability. Moreover, dietary fibre showed effects on fermentation and modest changes of microbial populations in the hindgut, with more prominent effects from the low-fermentable cellulose.     

Association between butyrate and short-chain fatty acid concentrations in gut contents and faeces in weaning piglets

The concentration and composition of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in gastrointestinal and faecal samples were studied in weaning pigs fed different amounts and composition dietary fibre (DF). In Trial 1 a total of 50 castrated piglets were fed five experimental diets with varying contents of citrus pectin (soluble fibre) and barley hulls (insoluble fibre) and gastrointestinal contents were collected at euthanasia 9 days after weaning. In Trial 2, 120 pair-wise penned piglets were allocated to the same experimental diets as in Trial 1 (24 piglets per treatment), and fresh faecal samples were collected 5 and 32 days after weaning.

There was no difference in the concentrations of SCFA caused by dietary treatments, but across treatments there was a correlation between concentration of SCFA and the proportion of butyrate. The correlation was lowest in the caecum (r² = 0.22, P = 0.0007) and highest in the distal colon (r² = 0.45, P = 0.0001). In faeces there was no relationship 5 days after weaning (r² = 0.004. P = 0.64) but a correlation of r² = 0.25 (P = 0.0001) 32 days after weaning. The results suggest that adaptive changes and differences between piglets in fermentative capacity immediately after weaning are associated not only with a higher concentration of SCFA but also a changed fermentation profile.     

Escherichia coli post-weaning diarrhoea occurrence in piglets with monitored exposure to creep feed

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of offering supplementary creep feed to piglets during the suckling period on the faecal shedding of haemolytic Escherichia coli bacteria and occurrence of spontaneous post-weaning diarrhoea 0-5 days after weaning. Supplementary creep feed was offered to half of the piglets in 12 litters, from 2 weeks of age until weaning at 4 weeks, and the individual feed contact was recorded by direct observations. It was found that diarrhoea occurrence was associated with faecal shedding of haemolytic E. coli bacteria (p=0.003), specifically E. coli O149 (p=0.004). Occurrence of diarrhoea and faecal shedding of haemolytic E. coli was not associated with creep feeding per se. However, the faecal E. coli O149 shedding occurred significantly less often in piglets that were offered creep feed in the suckling period but only showed limited interest in the feed (i.e. contacted the feed less than or equal to the median level of contact) compared to piglets that had frequent creep feed contact or piglets that had not had access to creep feed at all (p=0.015). Correspondingly, the diarrhoea occurrence tended to be lower in these piglets (p=0.081). Piglets with low creep feed contact during the suckling period ate the same total amount of feed during the 5 days after weaning, however, they ate less feed on days 0-2 after weaning compared to the piglets with frequent creep feed contact and non-creep fed piglets. It is suggested that intestinal function associated with a voluntary low creep feed contact during the suckling period leads to decreased feed intake just after weaning, and thus reduces the intestinal proliferation of E. coli O149 in these piglets.