地衣芽孢杆菌对发酵床饲养仔猪生长性能、消化酶活性及肠道主要菌群数量的影响

本试验旨在研究发酵床饲养模式下日粮中添加地衣芽孢杆菌对仔猪生长性能、胰腺和小肠黏膜消化酶活性及肠道主要菌群数量的影响。选用108头体重13kg左右的35日龄健康苏钟猪,随机分为3组,每组3个重复,每个重复12头,分别饲喂基础日粮(对照组)、基础日粮+40mg/kg杆菌肽锌+20mg/kg硫酸黏杆菌素(抗生素组)、基础日粮+300mg/kg地衣芽孢杆菌(益生菌组)的试验日粮。预试期7d,正试期52d。结果表明:1与对照组相比,日粮中添加地衣芽孢杆菌能够在一定程度上提高仔猪平均日增重、平均日采食量,降低料重比,但各组间差异均不显著(P0.05)。2与对照组相比,日粮中添加地衣芽孢杆菌能够极显著提高仔猪胰腺中淀粉酶活性、十二指肠黏膜中麦芽糖酶活性和空肠黏膜中乳糖酶活性(P0.01),十二指肠黏膜和空肠黏膜中蔗糖酶活性显著提高(P0.05)。3与对照组相比,日粮中添加地衣芽孢杆菌能够显著提高仔猪盲肠芽孢杆菌数量(P0.05);乳酸杆菌数量较对照组提高4.09%,大肠杆菌数量较对照组降低4.86%,但均未达到显著水平(P0.05)。综上所述,在本试验条件下,日粮中添加300mg/kg地衣芽孢杆菌能够提高发酵床饲养仔猪胰腺、小肠黏膜消化酶活性及盲肠芽孢杆菌数量,同时仔猪生长性能也在一定程度上有所改善。     

Biochemical intestinal parameters in pigs reared outdoors and indoors,and in germ-free pigs

Intestinal microbial functions reflect cross-talk between a host and its flora, and external factors may influence these functions. The aim of this investigation was to follow the development of six biochemical microbial-related functions of piglets, raised outdoors (OPs) or indoors (IPs), from birth to slaughter age. The following parameters (microflora-associated characteristic; MAC) were consecutively measured at five different ages: production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), conversion of cholesterol to coprostanol and of bilirubin to urobilinogens, inactivation of trypsin, degradation of beta-aspartylglycine and of mucin. Additionally, four parameters (production of SCFA. conversion of cholesterol to coprostanol, inactivation of trypsin, degradation of beta-aspartylglycine) were investigated in faecal samples from germ-free minipigs. The differences in MAC patterns between OPs and IPs were most pronounced at 20 days of age. Differences were found in the total amount of SCFAs, proportions of the acetic, propionic and butyric acids, conversion of bilirubin to urobilinogens, degradation of faecal tryptic activity and degradation of mucin. The values found in the minipigs were within the range of a germ-free animal characteristic (GAC) pattern. Our results show that environmental factors influence the development of some intestinal microbial functions in pigs.     

Rearing conditions affected responses of weaned pigs to organic acids showing a positive effect on digestibility,microflora and immunity

Three experiments were conducted to assess the response of weaned pigs to organic acid SF3, which contains 34% calcium formate, 16% calcium lactate, 7% citric acid and 13% medium chain fatty acids. Dietary treatments had no effect on growth performance of piglets (21‐day weaning) fed the commercial prestart diet for 1 week before receiving the experimental diets supplemented with SF3 at 0, 3 or 5 g/kg diet (Exp. 1), whereas diarrhea frequency averaged across a week was decreased by SF3 supplementation (5 g/kg diet) in piglets fed the experimental diets immediately after weaning (Exp. 2). In Exp. 3, piglets (28‐day weaning) were fed the control (containing pure colistin sulfate and enramycin, respectively, at 20 mg/kg diet) for 1 week and then were fed the control or SF3‐supplemented (5 g/kg diet) diet for 2 weeks. The SF3‐fed piglets had greater apparent ileal digestibility of calcium and dry matter, while also demonstrating greater overall gross energy, up‐regulated jejunal expression of sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐1 and transforming growth factor‐β, down‐regulated jejunal expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, higher ileal Lactobacillus, with lower total bacteria content, lower plasma TNF‐α but higher IgG levels than the control‐fed piglets. Collectively, SF3 consumption improved diarrhea resistance of weaned pigs by improving nutrient digestibility, piglet immunity and intestinal bacteria profile. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science     

断奶对仔猪肠道屏障的影响及营养调控

在集约化养殖中,3~4周龄早期断奶是仔猪生命周期中一个非常紧张的时期,此时仔猪胃肠道还未发育成熟。肠道屏障由上皮、免疫和肠神经系统组成,这些系统控制上皮屏障的完整性以及肠道功能,包括肠腔营养物质、水和电解质的运输。早期断奶导致肠道通透性增加,出现胃肠功能紊乱的情况,可能对猪只一生产生长期的影响。因此,仔猪断奶饲粮需要正确水平的营养素、营养源和高质量的添加剂,鼓励仔猪快速进食,减轻或消除断奶应激综合症,降低死亡率和发病率。养猪就是养"肠道",合理使用功能性氨基酸、植物化学物质和有机酸等添加剂,能够修复由于断奶应激综合症导致的肠道屏障功能障碍。     

中草药添加剂对断奶仔猪肠道菌群与生长性能的影响

本试验旨在研究中草药添加剂对断奶仔猪肠道菌群和生产性能的影响。选择72头体重(8.13±0.67)kg的健康28日龄的三元断奶仔猪,遵照单因素原则分为4组,每组3个重复,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组分别在基础日粮中添加0.5%、1.0%、2.0%中草药添加剂,预试期为7 d,正式期25 d。结果表明:与对照组相比,试验组仔猪日增重、日采食量均显著增加(P<0.05),试验组耗料增重比分别显著降低26.01%、40.81%、30.49%(P<0.05);试验组仔猪大肠埃希氏菌数、腹泻率均显著低于对照组(P<0.05),B组最低;试验组仔猪乳酸杆菌和双歧杆菌数均显著增加(P<0.05);试验A、C组的各测定指标差异均不显著(P>0.05)。综合各项指标可知,中草药添加剂使断奶仔猪的生长性能显著提高,腹泻率降低,抑制肠道内大肠埃希氏菌繁殖,促进有益菌的增殖,且添加量为1%时效果最好。     

脂肪酸功能及其在养猪生产中应用的研究进展

脂肪酸是猪饲料中的一种重要营养成分,包括短链脂肪酸、中链脂肪酸和多不饱和脂肪酸等多种类型,它们除了提供能量外还对猪的肠道微生态、机体代谢、免疫机能、繁殖性能等具有调节作用。文章简述了不同饲料原料中脂肪酸的含量、脂肪酸的主要生物学功能及其在养猪生产中的应用效果,以期为养猪生产中合理应用油脂和脂肪酸提供依据。     

Research Progress on the Function of Fatty Acids and Application in Pig Production

Fatty acids are important compositions of nutrient,including short-chain fatty acids,medium-chain fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids.They play a role in optimizing intestinal microflora,modulating nutrient metabolism,improving immunology and reproductive performance of pigs except for providing energy.This paper reviewed fatty acid profile of feed ingredients,basic biological functions of different variety of fatty acids and its application in swine industry to provide evidences for better using lipids and fatty acid in pig diet.     

Microbial activity in the gut of piglets: I. Effect of prebiotic and probiotic supplementation

Four groups of six 21 days-old piglets were used to evaluate the effect of a prebiotic or probiotic on the intestinal fermentative activity. In each group, piglets received one of the following diets: basal diet (C); basal diet supplemented with xylo-oligosaccharide (C-XOS); basal diet supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (C-SC); and basal diet supplemented with xylo-oligosaccharide and S. cerevisiae (C-XOS + SC).

The short chain fatty acids in the colon of piglets were decreased with the inclusion of S. cerevisiae in the diet (P < 0.01). The xylanolytic activity was higher (P < 0.05) in the small intestine of piglets fed C-XOS + SC diet, but no significant differences were found in the caecum and colon. In the caecum contents, the cellulolytic activity was increased (P < 0.05) by the C-XOS and C-SC diets, but remained similar when the diet was supplemented with the two additives combined.     

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.     

Significant changes in caecal microbial composition and metabolites of weaned piglets after protein restriction and succedent realimentation

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of protein restriction and subsequent realimentation on caecal barrier function, caecal microbial composition and metabolites in weaned piglets. Thirty-six 28-day-old weaned piglets were randomly assigned to a control group and a treatment group. The piglets were fed diets containing 18.83% (normal) or 13.05% (low) of crude protein from the 1st to 14th day, after which all piglets were fed diets containing 18.83% of crude protein from the 15th to 28th day. The results showed that protein restriction increased caecal bacterial diversity and richness as well as the abundance of Ruminococcus 2, Faecalibacterium and Lachnospiraceae_uncultured, but reduced the abundance and the gene copies of Lactobacillus in the treatment group compared with the control group on day 14. Protein restriction also decreased the concentrations of isovaleric acid and total branched-chain fatty acids. During the succedent protein realimentation stage, the abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 and the concentrations of lactic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid and total short-chain fatty acids were increased in the treatment group on day 28. Furthermore, the ammonia concentration was reduced, while the gene mRNA levels of caecal barrier function were increased in the treatment group both on days 14 and 28. In conclusion, dietary protein restriction and realimentation could change caecal microbial composition and metabolites, and eventually influence caecal barrier function. The present study may provide a new insight into protein restriction and realimentation in weaned piglets.     

Six intestinal microflora-associated characteristics in sport horses

The aim of this study was to investigate 6 microflora-associated characteristics (MACs) in faecal samples from horses and to compare the results with baselines previously established in other mammals. A MAC is defined as any anatomical structure, physiological, biochemical or immunological characteristic in a host, which has been acted on by microorganisms. When the active microbes are absent, as in germ-free animals and healthy newborn organisms, the corresponding characteristic is defined as germ-free animal characteristic (GAC). The MACs studied were degradation of mucin, conversion of cholesterol to coprostanol and bilirubin to urobilinogens, inactivation of tryptic activity, degradation of beta-aspartylglycine and excretion of short-chain fatty acids. Five MACs were studied in 19 sport horses and the mucin pattern investigated in 25 other sport horses. Our results show that conversion of cholesterol to coprostanol was present in all horses, irrespective of diet. All horses also demonstrated excretion of urobilinogens; however, the values varied depending on diet. Mucin and beta-aspartylglycine were totally degraded, as occurs similarly in other animal species. Excretion of short-chain fatty acids was lower than values previously found in man, rats and pigs, and the level of faecal tryptic activity was low. Our results show that the MAC/GAC concept is as good in monogastric herbivores as in omnivores for investigations of endogenous and exogenous factors influencing the intestinal ecosystem(s). Therefore, use of the MAC/GAC concept has a potential significance for future studies on functions related to the microflora.     

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.     

短链脂肪酸在生猪产业的研究与应用

短链脂肪酸是肠道微生物发酵产物,其对机体健康的影响已被广泛研究。本文就短链脂肪酸在国内外的研究进展,综述了其对猪肠道健康和代谢健康的有益影响以及在生猪养殖中的应用,旨在为新型饲料添加剂的开发与利用提供应用和理论依据。     

Dietary rice improves growth performance,mucosal enzyme activities and plasma urea nitrogen in weaning piglets

In this study, we evaluated the nutritional functions of rice for weaning piglets. Sixteen weaning piglets with an average initial weight of 7.2 kg were divided into two groups. One group was fed a corn‐soybean meal based diet, and the other was fed a rice‐soybean meal based diet, containing 50% corn and rice, respectively. A 2 weeks growth trial was conducted and growth performance, intestinal mucosal enzyme activities and plasma urea nitrogen were measured. The average daily gain in rice‐fed piglets was significantly higher than that in corn‐fed piglets and the average daily feed intake tended to be higher in rice‐fed piglets than in corn‐fed piglets. Maltase and aminopeptidase activities (mol/g tissue) in the jejunum in rice‐fed piglets were significantly higher than those in corn‐fed piglets, although these enzyme activities were not different in the duodenum. Sucrase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV activities in the two groups were not different in either the duodenum or jejunum. Although the feed (nitrogen) intake was higher in rice‐fed piglets, the plasma urea nitrogen in rice‐fed piglets was significantly lower (P = 0.006) than that in corn‐fed piglets. These results indicate that rice is a good alternative feedstuff for the diet of weaning piglets.     

Dietary linseed oil in the maternal diet affects immunoglobulins,tissue fatty acid composition and expression of lipid metabolism‐related genes in piglets

This experiment investigated the effects of supplementing the maternal diet with linseed oil (LSO) and soya bean oil (SBO) on immunoglobulins, the fatty acid composition and hepatic expression of lipid metabolism‐related genes in piglets. Multiparous sows (twenty‐four per diet) were fed on diets containing a supplement of either SBO or LSO during last week of gestation and lactation. The results indicated that supplementation of maternal diet with LSO could improve the weaning weight of piglets and average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.05). The concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) was enhanced in sow plasma, colostrum and milk by the addition of LSO (p < 0.05). In addition, the concentration of 18: 3n‐3 fatty acids was higher in the milk of LSO sows. Meanwhile, maternal supplementation with LSO increased the levels of plasma IgG, IgA and the tissues n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in piglets (p < 0.05). Correspondingly, the mRNA expression levels of hepatic ?5‐desaturase (D5D) and ?6‐desaturase (D6D) were higher, and fatty acid synthase (FAS) was lower in piglets from LSO‐fed sows when compared with that in the SBO group. In conclusion, LSO supplementation of the maternal diet increases immunoglobulins, modifies the fatty acid composition and affects the gene of D5D and D6D expression of piglets.     

酵母壁多糖对断奶仔猪肠道挥发性脂肪酸和微生物菌群的影响

本研究旨在探讨饲粮中添加酵母壁多糖对断奶仔猪肠道挥发性脂肪酸和微生物菌群的影响。试验采用单因素试验设计方法,选取180头遗传背景一致、健康状况良好、胎次和体重接近的21日龄断奶仔猪,随机分为4个组,每组5个重复,每个重复9头猪。4个组试验猪分别饲喂对照饲粮(未添加酵母壁多糖)、0.15%酵母壁多糖饲粮、0.30%酵母壁多糖饲粮和0.45%酵母壁多糖饲粮。试验期21 d。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加0.15%、0.30%和0.45%酵母壁多糖显著提高了仔猪结肠乙酸的含量(P0.05);其中,0.30%和0.45%酵母壁多糖还显著提高了结肠丙酸、丁酸以及总挥发性脂肪酸的含量(P0.05),且二者之间差异不显著(P0.05)。2)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加0.15%、0.30%和0.45%酵母壁多糖显著降低了盲肠沙门氏菌和大肠杆菌数量(P0.05),且0.30%和0.45%酵母壁多糖组之间差异不显著(P0.05)。由此可知,酵母壁多糖可提高仔猪肠道挥发性脂肪酸含量,并改善肠道微生物菌群结构,根据回归方程预测,酵母壁多糖在仔猪饲粮中的适宜添加水平为0.31%~0.40%。     

Fatty acid and energy metabolism in broiler chickens fed diets containing either beef tallow or an oil blend

The hypothesis tested was that the feeding of n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) results in more whole‐body fatty acid oxidation than the feeding of saturated fatty acids (SFA). It was reasoned that the increased fatty acid oxidation would be associated with enhanced whole‐body energy expenditure and stimulated de novo fatty acid synthesis. To put the hypothesis to the test, broiler chickens were fed diets containing either beef tallow as source of SFA or an oil blend as source of n‐6 PUFA. The broilers either had free access to their diet or were fed a restricted amount. Seven‐day‐old, male broiler chickens were used; they were kept individually in cages from 1 to 4 weeks of age. In the birds fed ad libitum, the n‐6 PUFA diet reduced average daily feed intake (ADFI), but did not significantly affect average daily weight gain (ADG) and the feed:conversion ratio (FCR). The lower ADFI on the n‐6 PUFA diet was associated with a higher apparent digestibility of total fatty acids. The ratio of deposition in the body to intake of digestible total PUFA, which reflected n‐6 PUFA, was significantly decreased by the n‐6 PUFA diet, pointing at preferentially increased n‐6 PUFA oxidation on the n‐6 PUFA diet. The ratio for n‐9 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) was higher than 1.0, which agrees with net de novo synthesis, but the n‐6 PUFA diet induced a lower value than did the SFA diet. Feeding either the n‐6 PUFA or SFA diet did not influence energy expenditure expressed as percentage of energy intake. This study supports the idea that dietary n‐6 PUFA instead of SFA are preferentially oxidized, but no proof was obtained for enhanced energy expenditure and contrary to the hypothesis put forward, the n‐6 PUFA diet depressed de‐novo fatty acid synthesis.     

Tributyrin and lactitol synergistically enhanced the trophic status of the intestinal mucosa and reduced histamine levels in the gut of nursery pigs

This study determined whether tributyrin and lactitol could synergistically facilitate the transition from milk to solid feed in nursery pigs. At 21 d after birth, 64 piglets were moved from the piggery to a production barn and fed a medicated diet. At 28 d after birth, the piglets were weighed and allotted into four groups and fed a standard nonmedicated diet (control) or the control diet with tributyrin (butanoic acid 1,2,3-propanetriyl ester; 10 g/kg), or with lactitol (beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->4)-D-sorbitol; 3 g/kg), or with tributyrin (10 g/kg) plus lactitol (3 g/kg). On d 0, 14, and 42 after being fed the control or experimental diets, the animals were weighed, and animal health, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were determined. On d 42, four piglets from each treatment were killed to measure the empty and full weight of the gut, as well as the weights of the liver and kidneys. The jejunum and cecum were sampled to analyze the luminal concentrations of lactic acid; short-chain fatty acids; and mono-, di-, and polyamines and to assess the mucosal status. Mortality after 42 d ranged from 19% for animals fed the control diet, to 6% for animals fed the tributyrin or lactitol diets, and to 0% for animals fed the tributyrin+lactitol diet. After 14 d, the ADG was 127% greater (P < 0.05) in animals fed the tributyrin+lactitol diet than in animals fed the control or tributyrin diets. After 42 d, animals fed the tributyrin+lactitol diet were heavier (P < 0.05) than animals fed the tributyrin diet. At slaughter, no differences (P > 0.05) in organ weights were observed. With the exception of animals fed the lactitol diet, wherein cecal lactic acid levels increased threefold (P < 0.01), the luminal concentrations of lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids were not different (P > 0.05). Among the various amines analyzed, the only response (P < 0.05) was a 66 and 49% decrease in histamine levels in the jejunum and cecum, respectively, in animals fed the tributyrin+lactitol diet compared to the control diet. In the jejunum of animals fed the lactitol or tributyrin+lactitol diets, the length of the villi was increased by 12% (P < 0.05) compared to animals fed the control diet, whereas the tributyrin diet did not have any effect on the villi (P > 0.05). In the cecum, the depths of the crypts were reduced (P < 0.001) by 18% in animals fed the lactitol diet and 45% in animals fed the tributyrin or tributyrin+lactitol diets compared to animals fed the control diet. In conclusion, a diet containing tributyrin and lactitol as nutribiotics resulted in lower histamine levels in the jejunum and cecum, as well as longer jejunal villi and shallower cecal crypts.     

抗生素对仔猪肠道微生物的影响

本研究旨在从肠道微生物的角度探究抗生素的作用机制,为今后绿色抗生素替代品添加剂的研究提供理论基础和参考。试验选用6头30日龄的杜×长×大三元杂交去势公猪,随机分为2组,分别为基础饲粮组(不添加抗生素)和抗生素组(基础饲粮中添加0.12%复合抗生素),每组3个重复,每个重复1头猪。试验期为35 d。结果表明:抗生素组肠道微生物物种多样性较基础饲粮组更为丰富;抗生素组厚壁菌门(Firmicute)/拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)(F/B)比例较高,因此添加抗生素有利于仔猪体内脂肪的贮存;从肠道微生物的角度考虑,抗生素可能是通过促进L7A_E11、Flexispira、粪球菌属(Coprococcus)等菌属,抑制光岗菌属(Mitsuokella)、巨球菌属(Megasphaera)、柔嫩菌属(Faecalibacterium)等菌属从而发挥预防疾病、提高成活率和促进生长的作用;使用PICRUSt进行功能预测,抗生素在脂类生物合成蛋白质、甲烷代谢、转运蛋白、转录因子、转录机制、RNA转运和脂肪酸生物合成等通路中发挥了重要的作用。由此可见,抗生素可以通过调节仔猪肠道微生物,加速仔猪体内脂肪的贮存,加速断奶仔猪对粗纤维的降解作用,促进短链脂肪酸的生成,从而发挥预防疾病、提高成活率和促进生长等作用。     

The development of microflora and production of short-chain fatty acids in the digestive tract of suckled piglets and replacer-fed piglets

The objective of this study was to obtain knowledge about the postnatal development of microflora and the production of short-chain fatty acids in 24 piglets suckled by sows and 26 piglets fed on milk replacement. On day 14 piglets which had received no colostrum had higher counts of Enterobacteriaceae (p < 0.001) and coliform bacteria (p <0.001) in the jejunum contents than piglets suckled by their mother sow. Depending on age, concentrations of both lactic and acetic acid were higher in the contents of the small intestine of piglets suckled by sows compared to milk replacer-fed piglets. Replacement of maternal milk by artificial feeding adversely affected the postnatal development of the piglets. This resulted in higher morbidity and mortality in those piglets.