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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
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Published on: June 10, 2009
Role of the large intestine in the pathogenesis of diarrhea in weaned pigs
H M van Beers-Schreurs1, M J Nabuurs, L Vellenga
1Department of Large Animal Medicine and Nutrition, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
Objective:
To determine whether the large intestine may have a role in counterbalancing the loss of fluid from the small intestine of pigs with diarrhea.
Animals:
2 groups of pigs (1 from a specific-pathogen-free herd and 1 from a herd with a history of diarrhea).
Procedure:
At weaning and 4, 7, 11, and 14 days after weaning, the percentage of dry matter in the large intestinal contents, total and individual concentrations and volatile fatty acids in large-intestinal contents and blood, and concentration of aldosterone in the blood were measured.
Results:
Large intestinal contents of pigs with diarrhea had a lower percentage of dry matter, lower acetate and butyrate concentrations, and higher propionate concentrations than did those of specific-pathogen-free pigs, and blood of pigs with diarrhea also had lower total volatile fatty acids concentration, higher aldosterone concentration, and lower sodium concentration.
Clinical Relevance:
The large intestine has a role in the pathogenesis of diarrhea in weaned pigs.
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