The most critical time in a pig's development in terms of its health and well-being is weaning from the sow. During this important phase, the adaptation of the gastrointestinal tract from a milk-based to an entirely plant-based diet takes place.

During this enormously stressful transition, the dam-related immunity, mucosal barrier and microbial ecosystem is either immature or destabilized. During these circumstances, undigested material often remains in the gastrointestinal tract and thus promotes the proliferation of pathogens, which causes the increased incidence of diarrhea in weaned piglets. Feeding strategies can reduce these negative effects caused by weaning if they improve feed intake, facilitate the absorption of nutrients and reduce the incidence of opportunistic pathogens.

In order to translate current molecular knowledge of the gut microbiome into innovative feeding strategies, a deeper understanding of microbiome-host interactions regarding the impact of a changing gut microbiome on mucosal integrity, gut immunity and nutrient intake and metabolic signature in piglets is needed.

Therefore, the aim of the pig module of the CD Laboratory for Innovative Gut Health Concepts in Livestock is to develop a deeper understanding and knowledge of the interaction and communication network between host animal and microbiome, especially during weaning of piglets.

With this knowledge, reliable biomarkers will be established to assess the state of gut health and innovative and long-lasting feeding strategies will be developed to smooth the transition from milk-based diets in piglets to plant-based diets in weaned piglets.