Resistant starch for weaning pigs — Effect on concentration of short chain fatty acids in digesta and intestinal morphology

We investigated the effect of potato starch, a source of resistant starch (RS), in diets for newly weaned pigs on production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and intestinal morphology. At weaning, at 4 weeks of age, 24 pigs were divided into 3 groups and fed diets containing 0 (C), 80 (P80) or 160 (P160) g raw potato starch per kg feed for 12 days. Pigs fed P160 had the longest villi whereas pigs fed P80 had the deepest crypts. Villous height at the mid-small intestine and average daily gain were positively correlated (r = 0.59, P < 0.01). The daily gain tended to be lower (P = 0.08) for pigs fed P80 than for pigs fed C or P160. The colon weight increased in pigs fed RS which coincided with an increased crypt depth in the colon. The concentration of SCFA increased in the large intestine with increasing amount of RS. The proportion of acetic acid decreased and the proportion of butyric acid increased in pigs fed P80 and P160. The increased SCFA production, especially of butyrate, may explain the colonic growth.