Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Gastrointestinal flora in iron-deficient piglets.

H A Larkin, J Hannan

Research in Veterinary Science

|July 1, 1985

Summary

Iron deficiency in piglets alters gut pH and microbial balance, increasing harmful bacteria. This may explain the higher incidence of diarrhea observed in these animals.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The development of quick microtechniques for the identification of cultures.

Journal of bacteriology·2010

Same author

Some indications for extended penicillin therapy in obstetrics and gynaecology.

The Medical press·2010

Same author

Low body mass not vitamin D receptor polymorphisms predict osteoporosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics·2008

Same author

Establishing nursing research priorities on a paediatric haematology, oncology, immunology and infectious diseases unit: a Delphi survey.

European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society·2003

Same author

The effect of DXA scanning on clinical decision making by general practitioners: a randomized, prospective trial of direct access versus referral to a hospital consultant.

Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA·2003

Same author

Structure of complement receptor (CR) 2 and CR2-C3d complexes.

Biochemical Society transactions·2002

Area of Science:

Animal physiology
Gastrointestinal microbiology
Nutritional science

Background:

Iron deficiency is a common nutritional issue in piglets.
Altered gastrointestinal conditions are suspected in iron-deficiency-related pathologies.
The relationship between iron status and gut microflora is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of iron deficiency on the pH and microbial composition of the stomach and small intestine contents in piglets.
To explore potential links between observed changes and the high incidence of diarrhea in iron-deficient piglets.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of stomach and small intestine contents from iron-deficient and iron-supplemented piglets.
Measurement of pH levels at various gastrointestinal sites.
Quantification of microbial populations, including coliforms, lactobacilli, total aerobes, and total anaerobes.

Main Results:

Iron-deficient piglets exhibited a higher pH in their stomach and small intestine contents compared to iron-treated controls.
Significantly greater numbers of coliforms, lactobacilli, total aerobes, and total anaerobes were found in the gut contents of iron-deficient piglets.
Specific microbial shifts were observed at multiple gastrointestinal sites.

Conclusions:

Iron deficiency significantly alters the gastrointestinal environment in piglets, leading to increased pH and microbial dysbiosis.
The observed changes in gut pH and microflora composition may contribute to the high incidence of diarrhea in iron-deficient piglets.
Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking iron status, gut microbiota, and diarrheal diseases in young animals.

Related Experiment Videos