Estado del Arte sobre la Salud Intestinal de Aves, Cerdos y Becerros

The challenge of feeding a large and growing human population of the world makes it essential to use resources efficiently; in pig production efficiency requires keeping pigs healthy. The industry has several powerful health technologies, but we need more. Recent evidence that feed components can influence health offers the potential of using feed as part of a strong herd-health program. Feed components may improve health and productive performance through altering microbial populations in the digestive tract, modifying immune function, strengthening the gut barrier, or other physiological effects. Two examples illustrate the possibilities. First, a high dietary level of insoluble fiber, such as is found in several grain co-products, reduces diarrhea of pigs challenged with a pathogenic E. coli, although the mechanism is not yet clear. Second, mannan oligosaccharide products derived from yeast cell walls alter immune function and improve performance of pigs challenged with the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus. One direct effect of these mannan products is reduction of the excessive and prolonged inflammation that follows infection. The range of feed components that may influence health and performance is impressive.

Under commercial conditions, pigs are exposed to a number of potential stressors, including those related to intestinal health, that can reduce growth performance capacity to compensate for reductions in growth once the factor limiting growth has been removed.  The presentation will review research on the impact of early growth restriction on subsequent performance, with a focus on factors of relevance under commercial conditions.