Journal article
A comparative analysis of gastrointestinal tract barrier function and immune markers in gilt vs. sow progeny at birth and weaning
Udani A Wijesiriwardana, John R Pluske, Jessica R Craig, John B Furness, Mitchell Ringuet, Linda J Fothergill, Frank R Dunshea, Jeremy J Cottrell
Journal of Animal Science | Oxford University Press | Published : 2024
DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae054
Open access
Abstract
Progeny born to primiparous sows (gilt progeny; GP) have lower birth, weaning and slaughter weights than sow progeny (SP). GP also have reduced gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development, as evidenced by lower organ weights. Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to quantify changes in GIT barrier function that occur in birth and weaning, representing two major challenges to the young piglet. The effects of parity (GP vs. SP) in GIT barrier integrity function were quantified at four timepoints: birth (~0 h), 24 h after birth (24 h), 1-d preweaning (PrW), and 1-d postweaning (PoW) in commercially reared piglets. Due to inherent differences between newborn and weanling pigs, the results were ..
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Funding Acknowledgements
This research was funded by Australian Pork Limited (APL; Canberra Australia) and U.W was funded by a Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship (MGRS) from The University of Melbourne (Parkville, Australia). We wish to acknowledge The University of Melbourne, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health and Rivalea (Australia) Pty. Ltd for their assistance on this project.