Table 2_Effects of replacing soybean oil with palm oil on growth performance, appetite, and gut health in weaned piglets.docx

IntroductionWeaned piglets face growth challenges due to low feed intake and weaning stress. Palm oil (PO) rich in long-chain saturated fatty acids may optimize nutrition, but appropriate replacement ratios and mechanisms remain unclear.
Methods144 weaned piglets were randomly assigned to four groups (CON: 4% soybean oil (SO); T1-T3: 25%, 50%, 100% SO replaced by PO) for 35 days. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal health, gene expression, and gut microbiota were measured.
ResultsT1 and T3 improved average daily gain (ADG) and reduced feed/gain ratio (0-14 d, p<0.05); T3 increased ADG (0-28 d) and average daily feed intake (ADFI, p<0.05). PO reduced ether extract digestibility (p<0.05), upregulated ZO-1/Claudin-1 mRNA (T3, p<0.05), and increased hypothalamic NPY/AGRP expression. Gut microbial diversity (OTU abundance) and beneficial bacteria (Roseburia) were enhanced in T3.
DiscussionModerate PO replacement (25%) balances growth promotion and digestibility, while high replacement (100%) improves gut barrier function and appetite. PO regulates growth via fatty acid composition, appetite-related genes, and gut microbiota