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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #152919
Title: ENHANCING INTESTINAL FUNCTION TO IMPROVE GROWTH AND EFFICIENCY

Author
item Burrin, Douglas - Doug
item STOLL, BARBARA - BAYLOR COLL MEDICINE

Submitted to: Nutrition Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/14/2003
Publication Date: 5/14/2003
Citation: BURRIN, D.G., STOLL, B. ENHANCING INTESTINAL FUNCTION TO IMPROVE GROWTH AND EFFICIENCY. 9th International Symposium on Digestive Physiology in Pigs, Banff, AB, Canada. 2003. v. I. p. 121-137.

Interpretive Summary: Interpretive Summary not needed for this 115.

Technical Abstract: In postnatal life, 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 first-pass utilization of dietary nutrients, especially amino acids, to maintain gut function. The changes in the diet composition and gut microflora after weaning are associated with increased gut growth and metabolism, which may limit the systemic availability of dietary nutrients. Strategies aimed at limiting gut metabolism and supplementing key gut-nutrients in support of gut function may improve growth.