Small intestine growth and morphometry in piglets weaned at 7 days of age. Effects of level of energy intake
2002
Marion, J. ((Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Saint Gilles (France). Centre de Rennes, UMR sur le Veau et le Porc)) | Biernat, M. | Thomas, F. | Savary, G. | Le Breton, Y. | Zabielski, R. | Le Huerou-Luron, I. | Le Dividich, J.
Two trials involving a total of 56 pigs were conducted to examine the effects of weaning at 7 d of age (trial 1) and of energy intake level and length of post-weaning underfeeding period (trial 2) on small intestinal (SI) development and morphometry. At 3 d after weaning, weight of the SI and mucosa (g/kg body weight) and villous height along SI were reduced by 20, 36 and 41 per cent, respectively, compared to the day of weaning. Intestinal morphometrical changes are dependent on SI site and days post-weaning. Villous atrophy on d 3 and recovery on d 14 post-weaning were greater and occurred earlier in the proximal than in the medial and distal SI. Villous height was dependent on the level of energy intake which explains 56 per cent of the variations in proximal SI villous height in weaned pigs and 73 per cent when data of the sow-reared pigs were included in the analysis. Moreover, after 4 d of refeeding, underfed piglets showed similar villous characteristics to piglets fed a continuously high feeding level after weaning stressing that capacities of intestinal restoration were not affected by the length of the post-weaning underfeeding period. Overall, the present results suggest a spatial and temporal effect of weaning on villous atrophy and recovery, and that the level of energy intake is a major factor accounting for the post-weaning villous height
Mostrar más [+] Menos [-]Palabras clave de AGROVOC
Información bibliográfica
Este registro bibliográfico ha sido proporcionado por National Institute for Agricultural Research