Animal Health

A Healthy Start to Life for Piglets

Enterocytes are epithelial cells that line the villi of the small intestine, and are the entry points along the small intestine that readily absorb amino acids, simple sugars and fatty acids before they are transferred into the bloodstream.

Enterocytes can absorb many nutrients simultaneously but can only manage them in small sizes. In reality, only single sugar molecules or groups of two or three amino acids can enter the enterocyte; single amino acids are preferred. Once ingested, these nutrients are then transported to the blood stream where they are distributed to the rest of the body and re-assembled into proteins or carbohydrates to be used.

Healthy Enterocytes

Tonisity International developed a method of singularly feeding these enterocytes, by providing an isotonic protein solution containing the right key amino acids, electrolytes, micronutrients and hydration to encourage the generation of robust intestinal structure and accelerate the rate of villi growth for newborn piglets from 24 to 48 hours of life.

Key to this strategy is the word ‘isotonic’, meaning that the fluid that contains the same amount of water and total solutes as the body’s cells. Isotonic fluids in the small intestine have been shown to be the most effective concentration for rehydrating the body. They can be readily absorbed without creating further losses of sodium or water. Every fluid that is used for intravenous fluid therapy is also isotonic.

As an isotonic protein solution, the piglet drink provides the necessary fuel sources for these enterocytes. That is where ‘micro-enteral nutrition’ comes in, delivering nutrients specifically to nourish the enterocyte cells in the small intestine.

Histopathology analysis revealed that piglets receiving the isotonic Tonisity Px™ drink from Days 2-8 of age had significantly greater villus height, villus density, and crypt density that persisted until at least 28 days of age, regardless of what creep feed they were given.

Intestinal Villi in the Pre-Weaning Phase of Piglets (Tonisity Px vs Control).

Healthy Outcomes and Positive Benefits

Tonisity Px™ is a highly palatable liquid solution specifically designed to improve the gut function of piglets. Improving the function and development of the small intestine leads to better feed conversion and a healthier piglet whether they are fall behinds or robustly healthy. Tonisity Px^TM has been scientifically proven to lower pre-weaning mortality, deliver improved weaning weight and faster growth to finishing.

Contact CCD Animal Health for more information on Tonisity Px™ and the new PxW™.