Influence of zinc bacitracin and Bacillus licheniformis on microbial intestinal functions in weaned piglets.
The influence of zinc bacitracin (ZB) and of Bacillus licheniformis on host microbial-related functions in young piglets was investigated by applying the concept of microflora-associated characteristics. Six biochemical parameters were determined before and after weaning in faecal samples from piglets in four litters having access to a diet containing ZB, to a diet containing B. licheniformis, to a diet with both additives, or to a diet with no additives, from 3 weeks of age. Statistically significant differences were found in three of the intestinal functions investigated: formation of short-chain fatty acids (at 7 and 10 weeks of age). degradation of mucin (at 7 and 10 weeks of age) and conversion of bilirubin to urobilins (at 7 weeks of age). We also found age-dependent influences on the formation of short-chain fatty acids, on conversion of cholesterol to coprostanol and on conversion of bilirubin to urobilins. We conclude that a functional approach is appropriate for measuring exogenous influence(s) on the microbial intestinal metabolisms in weaned piglets.
Collinder
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E
Laboratory of Medical Microbial Ecology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, von Eulers väg 5, S-17177 Stockholm, Sweden. Eje.Collinder@telia.com
Cardona
M E
ME
Berge
G N
GN
Norin
E
E
Stern
S
S
Midtvedt
T
T
D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling / Q000382:microbiology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001407:Bacillus; D001414:Bacitracin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000378:metabolism; D004083:Cholestanol / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D004151:Dipeptides / Q000378:metabolism; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013552:Swine / Q000382:microbiology*; D014357:Trypsin / Q000378:metabolism; D014557:Urobilin / Q000378:metabolism
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004151:Dipeptides; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D009077:Mucins; D001414:Bacitracin; D014557:Urobilin; C018459:beta-aspartylglycine; D004083:Cholestanol; D002784:Cholesterol; D014357:Trypsin; D001663:Bilirubin