Supplements

Getting piglet gut health right from the start

The intestinal mucosa and especially the small intestine serves two crucial functions; to absorb nutrients and serve as a barrier to pathogens. Any damage or malfunction in the intestinal mucosa will be associated with an increased risk of infection, as well as immune mediated illness. The first opportunity for developing a robust intestinal mucosa and good gut health starts at birth.

Modern piglets face major challenges in their first week. They are born with underdeveloped intestines that must grow rapidly - achieving in 3 to 4 weeks what other mammals take about 6 months to develop. Their small intestine surface area doubles by day 10, and absorptive enterocyte cells double within the first 3 days of life.

The challenge

During this time, intestinal growth requires substantial amounts of nutrition and energy that is not always available from the sow in modern production systems. Piglets do not always get access to (or do not consume) sufficient amounts of colostrum or milk in the farrowing house. Even during short periods of starvation that occur during weaning and transportation, the small intestinal mucosa quickly atrophies, with negative effects being visible within hours of food withdrawal (Jenkins and Thompson, 1994). The lack of nutrients in the intestine can disrupt the barrier functions of the gastrointestinal tract resulting in gut atrophy, luminal starvation, bacterial translocation, and impaired immune functions (Strodtbeck, 2003).

A critical window of opportunity

Micro-enteral nutrition is the delivery of small amounts of water, electrolytes, and readily absorbed nutrients (glucose, amino acids, and small peptides) directly to the gastrointestinal tract (Devey, 2010). These simple nutrients are delivered in solutions that are absorbed and utilised directly by the enterocytes to do their essential work; which is to absorb all of the other nutrients that the body needs. Micro-enteral solutions generally contain very simple sugars, single amino acids or small peptides and are also typically isotonic, with an osmolarity of approximately 300 mOsm/l. This ensures that they are quickly absorbed without creating further sodium or water loss (Firth and Howie, 2012).

By feeding the intestinal cells in the early stage of life, the integrity of the intestinal barrier is also maintained which is key to maintaining gut health.

Micro-enteral nutrition

A novel approach, combining previous knowledge in both human and canine micro-enteral nutrition, has resulted in the development of an isotonic protein drink for piglets, Tonisity Px™.  This innovative solution is preferably delivered in open pans to facilitate the piglets’ natural curiosity. It also removes the learning and tactile barriers to drinking caused by mechanical nipple drinkers. Being very palatable this drink is consumed in significant volumes, even by piglets less than one week old (Firth at al., 2017a).  

By feeding the intestinal cells, the integrity of the intestinal barrier is also maintained which is key to maintaining gut health. Micro-enteral nutrition is the delivery of small amounts of water, electrolytes, and readily absorbed nutrients (glucose, amino acids, and small peptides) directly to the gastrointestinal tract. (Devey, 2010).

Conclusion

Tonisity Px™ supplies micro-enteral nutrition to improve gut health in pre-weaning pigs. This isotonic protein drink delivers key energy-producing substrates to the enterocytes, enhancing nutrient absorption and intestinal development. Key outcomes of this micro-enteral nutrition approach are increased feed intake and weight gain around weaning and during other stressful periods, leading to faster growth through to slaughter and a clear, positive impact on overall economic performance, including a reduction in mortality. Tonisity Px™ performance is supported by more than 200 scientific studies.   

By Mathieu Cortyl et al, Tonisity International.

Contact CCD Animal Health for more information on Tonisity Px™