Role of nutrition and intestinal adaptation in weanling pig health

The growth rate of the pig is most rapid during the neonatal and weaning periods. Nutrition and gastrointestinal function play a critical role in the survival, health and growth of the young pig during this transition from suckling to weaning. The high metabolic rate and cellular turnover of gut tissues result in substantial fi rst-pass utilization of dietary nutrients, especially amino acids, to maintain gut function. The changes in the diet composition and gut microbiota after weaning are associated with increased gut growth and metabolism, which may limit the systemic availability of dietary nutrients. Strategies aimed at optimizing gut metabolism and supplementing key gut-nutrients in support of gut function may improve growth.