2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): The proposed hypothesis is that the modulating effect of milk fat on the intestional micro-biome is associated with improvements in obesegenic diet-induced metabolic syndrome in Ossabaw Pigs. The objective of the research is to determine the impact of health-promoting foods in the face of an obesegenic diet. 1b.Approach (from AD-416): In testing the hypothesis that consumption of milk fat in the diet promotes the integrity of intestinal barrier function, maintains a healthy intestinal microbiota, and reduces inflammation induced by an obesegenic diet; the effect of different levels and sources of dietary fat on an obesegenic diet in swine will be studied. The impact of fat source will be evaluated in nursing and weaned pigs by comparing functional responses in the intestine, changes in intestinal microbiota composition, induction of systemic inflammatory responses, and changes in gene expression associated with lipogenic and lipolytic pathways. The Cooperator will evaluate the scientific merit of this proposal. 3.Progress Report: The series of experiments have been designed to determine the effect of different levels and sources of fat (milk fat or vegetable oil) on pig growth are currently being conducted. The impact of fat source will be evaluated in nursing and weaned pigs by comparing functional response in intestine (morphometric and permeability changes), intestinal microbiota composition, induction of systemic inflammatory response and changes in gene expression associated with lipogenic and lipolytic pathways.