Gut health in monogastric animals

The gut is not fully developed until the animals are weaned and adapted to solid food. The physiologic and metabolic maturation of the intestinal tract is influenced by the time after birth the animal start to eat solid foods and which feed components the animal receives via the feed.

The gastrointestinal tract is the organ that both ensures that nutrients can be absorbed to the body and at the same time act as a barrier to prevent unwanted substances and microorganisms from passing into the bloodstream.

The interaction between feed, microbiota and intestinal mucosa are factors that affect the function of the intestine and thus animal health. In this project, the effects of early introduction of various feed supplements on the intestinal barrier properties, immunological response and intestinal microbiota will be studied.

Doctoral student:

Lidija Arapovic, lidija.arapovic@slu.se

Main supervisor:

Torbjörn Lundh