Dietary Glyceryl Polyethylene Glycol Ricinoleate as an Additive to Improve Intestinal Health in Post-Weaning Piglets

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Gastroenterology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Early weaning in intensive pig production causes stress and impairs gastrointestinal health, particularly fat digestion.
• Dietary emulsifiers like glyceryl polyethylene glycol ricinoleate (GPGR) can improve nutrient utilization in young animals.
• GPGR has demonstrated potential in enhancing pig performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of dietary GPGR on the intestinal health of weaned piglets in a commercial setting.
• To assess GPGR's impact on indicators of gut function, morphology, and microbiota composition.

Main Methods:

• 380 weaned piglets were fed either a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 350 g/ton GPGR.
• Blood and intestinal samples were collected post-weaning for analysis.
• Key parameters included plasma cortisol and citrulline, intestinal morphology, mucus, enzyme activity, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and cecal microbiota.

Main Results:

• GPGR increased citrullinemia, indicating enhanced enterocyte functional mass.
• Significant improvements in intestinal morphology (villus height, villus height:crypt depth ratio) and maltase activity were observed.
• GPGR modulated the gut microbiota, increasing Firmicutes and Actinobacteria while decreasing Proteobacteria.

Conclusions:

• Dietary GPGR supplementation positively influences intestinal health in weaned piglets.
• GPGR enhances epithelial structure, digestive function, and microbiota balance.
• It represents a viable strategy to aid piglets during the critical early nursery phase.