The role of protein fermentation metabolites in post-weaning diarrhoea in piglets

摘要

The objective of this experiment was to identify associations between the occurrence of post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD), protein fermentation and intestinal morphology in piglets under field conditions. At four pig farms, 13 piglets with PWD and 7 control piglets were selected 4 days post-weaning from piglets that had been sampled for faeces at 2 days post-weaning as well. Five days post-weaning, these piglets were euthanized and intestinal tissue and colon digesta samples were collected. Protein fermentation did not precede PWD, as faecal NH3-N concentration at day 2 post-weaning did not differ between groups. Faecal (day 4) and colonic (day 5) NH3-N concentrations were higher in piglets with PWD, regardless the farm they were sampled from. Colonic volatile fatty acid concentration was higher in piglets with PWD, with a higher proportion of acetic acid and a lower proportion of butyric and isovaleric acid. Crypts in the distal colon were deeper in piglets with PWD and crypt depth in the proximal anddistal colon related negatively with protein fermentation indicators, regardless of piglets having PWD or not. These data suggest that protein fermentation is associated with PWD, but does not precede PWD, and that protein fermentation metabolites affecting the gut wall is not the main factor contributing to PWD in practice.