Growth performance of weaned piglets.

The post-weaning period in piglets is often associated with significant changes in intestinal structure and function, which can negatively affect growth and performance. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementations with prebiotics and/or probiotics on intestinal morphology and functionality during the post-weaning phase. Piglets were supplemented with different diets, including combinations of Pichia guilliermondii (prebiotic, PRE) and Bacillus velezensis (probiotic, PRO), and their growth performance, intestinal histology, and functionality were assessed. Growth performance was evaluated in the post-weaning period, with a notable improvement in weight gain observed in piglets receiving the combined prebiotic/probiotic supplementation. Morphometric analysis revealed significant differences in intestinal morphology, particularly in the small intestine. The PRE/PRO combination was most effective in improving villus size in the duodenum and ileum at early post-weaning stages, while the jejunum showed a greater sensitivity to weaning stress. Molecular analysis indicated diet-dependent changes in the expression of key markers involved in nutrient absorption and mucosal integrity, including SLC15A1 and TJP1. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed diet-related changes in gut microbiota composition where α-diversity and β-diversity increased independently of the diets and, specific beneficial taxa (e.g., Lachnospiraceae) were enriched in the supplemented groups. These microbial shifts were consistent with the improved mucosal thickness observed in the colon, suggesting a potential contribution of microbial modulation to epithelial integrity of the large intestine. Overall, the results suggest that the synbiotic supplementation of prebiotics and probiotics can enhance intestinal integrity in both the small and large intestine, promote growth, and improve overall gut health in post-weaning piglets.仔猪断奶后阶段往往伴随肠道结构与功能的显著改变，此类改变可对仔猪的生长性能造成负面影响。本研究旨在探究日粮添加益生元（prebiotics）与/或益生菌（probiotics）对断奶后阶段仔猪肠道形态及功能的调控效应。试验将仔猪分为不同日粮组，日粮包含季也蒙毕赤酵母（Pichia guilliermondii，益生元，PRE）与贝莱斯芽孢杆菌（Bacillus velezensis，益生菌，PRO）的不同组合，并对仔猪的生长性能、肠道组织学特征与肠道功能进行检测与评估。生长性能评估于断奶后阶段开展，结果显示，同时添加益生元与益生菌的仔猪群体，其体重增益得到显著提升。形态计量学分析揭示，肠道形态（尤以小肠为甚）存在显著组间差异。在断奶早期，益生元与益生菌的联合添加可最为有效地改善十二指肠与回肠的绒毛尺寸；而空肠则对断奶应激表现出更高的敏感性。分子分析结果表明，日粮可调控参与营养吸收与黏膜屏障完整性的关键标志物的表达，其中包括SLC15A1与TJP1。此外，16S rRNA测序结果显示，肠道菌群组成随日粮发生显著变化：α多样性与β多样性均呈上升趋势，且该变化并不依赖日粮类型；同时，添加组中富集了特定的有益菌群类群（如毛螺菌科Lachnospiraceae）。上述菌群结构变化与结肠黏膜厚度的改善结果相一致，提示菌群调控或许可对大肠上皮完整性发挥潜在的积极作用。整体而言，本研究结果表明，益生元与益生菌的合生制剂（synbiotic）添加，可提升小肠与大肠的肠道完整性，促进仔猪生长，并改善断奶后仔猪的整体肠道健康状态。