Abstract
Luminal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are rapidly absorbed from the intestine and subsequently utilized by the host as substrate for metabolic energy production. In pigs, the energy contribution of SCFA is thought to be 30–76%. However, since absorption and blood flow dynamics of SCFA in pigs, particularly during the suckling–weaning period, remain unclear, we aimed to elucidate these phenomena. Thirty-two piglets were used in the present work. Cecal vein blood and digesta, and portal and abdominal vein blood were sampled from suckling (7-, 14-, 21- and 28-day-old) and weaned (weaning at 21 and 28 days of age) piglets. Four piglets from each group were euthanized. SCFA concentrations in blood samples were analyzed by a highly sensitive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. Age at weaning tended to affect SCFA absorption. For example, acetate and propionate concentrations in the cecal vein tended to be higher in piglets weaned at day 21 than at day 28. SCFA concentrations in the abdominal vein tended to differ from those in other veins. Mucosal gene expression analysis suggested that monocarboxylate transporter 1 and occludin were associated in absorption of SCFA from the lumen into the blood of piglets.
Highlights
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), acetate, propionate and n-butyrate, are major end-products of gut microbiota [1]
The crossbred (Landrace × Large white × Duroc) piglets used in the present experiment were the same as those described in a previous study [13], except for piglets weaned at 14 days of age, which were omitted in the present work because we demonstrated that weaning at such age is not commercially practical for the pig industry [12,13]
The dynamics of SCFA production and influx in piglets were evaluated from suckling to weaning
Summary
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), acetate, propionate and n-butyrate, are major end-products of gut microbiota [1]. SCFA production depends on substrates flowing into the large intestine [1], and on the organ size and the population and composition of luminal bacteria [2]. The large intestine is the major production site of SCFA in hindgut fermenters such as humans and pigs [2]. It is well established that luminal SCFA are rapidly absorbed from the intestine, and subsequently utilized by the host as substrate for metabolic energy production [3]. The energy contribution of SCFA to the basal metabolic rate is thought to be 30–76% [3] and 10% [4] in pigs and humans, respectively. SCFA are useful to the host for maintenance of the gut morphology and function [5,6] and for reduction of appetite and diet-induced obesity [7,8]
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