Effects of Butyric Acid Supplementation on the Gut Microbiome and Growth Performance of Weanling Pigs Fed a Low-Crude Protein, Propionic Acid-Preserved Grain Diet

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202502.0266.v1
• Publication Date: 2025-02-06T02:35:16Z
• Authors: Kathryn Ruth Conn...; Torres Sweeney; Marion T. Ryan; Stafford Vigors; John V. O’Doherty
• Keywords: Weanling; Gut microbiome; Intestinal Microbiome

Reducing crude protein (CP) in weaner pig diets lowers post-weaning diarrhoea risk but may impair growth performance. This study aimed to identify benefical effects of organic acid (OA)-preserved grain and butyric (BA) supplementation on gut health low-CP diets. At harvest, was divided into 2 batches: one dried at 65 °C, the other treated with a propionic acid. Ninety-six piglets (28 days old) were assigned four treatments: (1) grain, (2) OA-preserved (3) grain+3% BA, (4) BA. On day 8, microbial composition, inflammatory markers, volatile fatty acids, intestinal morphology assessed. The diet improved feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05), increased beneficial bacteria 0.01), elevated caecal butyrate reduced jejunal CXCL8 expression enhanced nutrient digestibility 0.01). BA intake decreased colonic Proteobacteria propionate Combining ileal Pasteurellaceae 0.05). In conclusion, while improves efficiency, digestibility, microbiota, suplementing enhances reduces intake, their combination disrupt balance.