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Effects of whey protein on intestinal integrity in heat-stressed growing pigs

Read the complete report:Effects of whey protein on intestinal integrity in heat-stressed growing pigs

About this report:

Heat stress reduces livestock productivity and this may in part be by reduced intestinal integrity or “leaky gut”. Dairy products improve intestinal integrity in a variety of human and small animal models. Consequently, we hypothesized that dietary bovine colostrum and whey protein would mitigate HS‐induced leaky gut in pigs.

Conclusions:

In the present study, there was no improvement on intestinal permeability variables from pigs fed milk whey/colostrum. Whether milder and cyclical HS conditions (resembling those in industry settings) and different levels of inclusion of the test products would allow for improvement on intestinal health remains of interest.

Project outcomes:

Heat stress is one of the largest impediments to efficient animal production and likely the most expensive issue that global animal agriculture industries face due to reduced animal productivity. Although this research does not present a solution, more work will be done in this area.

Partners

Midwest Dairy Association

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