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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #131128

Title: INTESTINAL NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS IN WEANLING PIGS

Author
item Burrin, Douglas - Doug

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2002
Publication Date: 1/1/2003
Citation: BURRIN, D.G. INTESTINAL NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS IN WEANLING PIGS. BOOK CHAPTER. Pluske, J.R., LeDividich, J., Verstegen, M.W.A., editors. Wageningen Academic Publishers, The Netherlands. Weaning The Pig: Concepts and Consequences. 2003. p. 301-335

Interpretive Summary: Interpretive Summary not needed for this 115.

Technical Abstract: In the postnatal life of the pig, the period of weaning is marked by significant changes in nutrition and the environment. The extent to which the young pig can adapt physiologically to these changes determines its survival, health and subsequent growth rate. Of particular importance to this adaptation process is the functional development of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly digestive, absorptive and immune function. In the past few years, there has been considerable progress in our understanding of intestinal nutrient metabolism, particularly in young pigs. However, despite its overall importance to the pigs health and adaptation the impact of weaning on the rate and pattern of intestinal nutrient utilization remains a poorly understood, yet critical, nutritional issue. The aim of this chapter is to first briefly review the underlying changes in the gastrointestinal physiology of the weanling pig and then to describe how these changes impact the nutrient needs of the gastrointestinal tract and the animal as a whole. Although this chapter will focus mainly on the small intestine, the nutrient requirements necessary to support physiological functions in other components of the gastrointestinal tract during weaning are also mentioned, including the stomach, large intestine and pancreas.