Maternal supplementation of seaweed-derived polysaccharides improves intestinal health and immune status of suckling piglets. (2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heim, G.; O'Doherty, J. V.; O'Shea, C. J.; Doyle, D. N.; Egan, A. M.; Thornton, K.; Sweeney, T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of nutritional science. Volume 4(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015
• Subjects: Cytokines, -- Intestinal morphology, -- Microbiota, -- Piglets, -- Seaweed-derived polysaccharides; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 612.305
• DOI: 10.1017/jns.2015.16
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2048-6790

Abstract

Abstract: The experiment investigated the effect of maternal dietary supplementation of seaweed-derived polysaccharides (SDP) (–SDP v. +SDP, n 20) from day 83 of gestation until weaning (day 28) on selected sow faeces and piglet digesta microbiota populations, piglet small-intestinal morphology, and intestinal nutrient transporter and inflammatory cytokine gene expression at birth, 48 h after birth and weaning. The effect of maternal dietary treatment on the piglet gene expression profile of inflammatory cytokines in the colon following a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge was also investigated. Dietary SDP reduced sow faecal Enterobacteriaceae gene numbers at parturition. Small-intestinal morphology, nutrient transporter and cytokine gene expression in newborn piglets did not differ between maternal dietary treatments ( P > 0·10). At 48 h after birth, sodium–glucose-linked transporter 1 gene expression was down-regulated in the ileum of piglets suckling the SDP-supplemented sows compared with those suckling the basal sows ( P = 0·050). There was a SDP × LPS challenge interaction on IL-1 and IL-6 gene expression in the colon of piglets ( P < 0·05). The gene expression of IL-1 and IL-6 was down-regulated in the LPS-challenged colon of piglets suckling the SDP sows compared with those suckling the basal sows ( P < 0·05). However, there was no difference in IL-1 and IL-6 gene expression in the unchallenged colon between treatment groups. At weaning, piglets suckling the SDP-supplemented sows had increased villus height in the jejunum and ileum compared with those suckling the basal-fed sows ( P < 0·05). In conclusion, maternal dietary SDP supplementation enhanced the immune response of suckling piglets and improved gut morphology, making them more immune competent to deal with post-weaning adversities.