Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 56 ›› Issue (11): 5623-5634.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2025.11.022

• Animal Nutrition and Feeds • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of Early Isotonic Protein Solution Supplementation on Growth Performance, Jejunal Development, and Transcriptomic Alterations in Suckling Piglets

GONG Changliang1(), JIN Aolong1, ZHAO Yongju1, XIAO Yao2, CHEN Xiaochuan1,*()   

  1. 1. Chongqing Key Laboratory of Herbivore Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
    2. Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
  • Received:2024-11-29 Online:2025-11-23 Published:2025-11-27
  • Contact: CHEN Xiaochuan E-mail:2895294277@qq.com;ans@swu.edu.cn

Abstract:

The intestinal development and health of early-weaned piglets play a critical role in determining their future growth performance. During this period, the maturation of intestinal physiological functions not only supports current nutritional requirements but also establishes a solid foundation for subsequent rapid growth. This study was designed to investigate the effects of supplementing isotonic protein solution during the suckling period on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and jejunal transcriptomic profiles in suckling piglets. A total of 120 suckling piglets (Duroc×(Landrace×Large White) three-way cross) from 12 litters with comparable birth weights (1.48±0.22 kg) and sows of the same parity were selected and randomly assigned to either a control group (Con group) or an experimental group (Px group), with 6 litters per group, based on similarity in body weight. From postnatal days 2 to 8, piglets in the Con group received 500 mL of distilled water per litter daily, whereas those in the Px group received 500 mL of 3% isotonic protein solution per litter daily. Three days prior to weaning, both groups were supplemented with 250 g of starter feed paste per day; The paste for the Con group was prepared using distilled water, while that for the Px group was prepared using the 3% isotonic protein solution. The experimental period lasted 24 days. Results indicated that isotonic protein supplementation significantly improved weaning weight, average daily gain during days 1-24 and days 16-24, and enhanced jejunal villus height (P < 0.05). Transcriptomic analysis of jejunal tissues identified 163 significantly differentially expressed genes, including 105 up-regulated and 58 down-regulated genes. GO functional annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed that these genes were primarily involved in key biological processes and signaling pathways, such as ion transport (SLC46A1, SLC40A1, SLC26A6), mineral absorption (S100G), ferroptosis regulation, amino acid metabolism, and vitamin digestion, also include specific genes such as ICA and TRPM6. These findings suggest that isotonic protein supplementation during the suckling period enhances growth performance and promotes intestinal development in suckling piglets. The underlying mechanism may be associated with alterations in the expression of genes involved in mineral and vitamin absorption and transport in the jejunum, thereby influencing intestinal development and nutrient utilization efficiency.

Key words: isotonic protein solution, suckling piglets, growth performance, intestinal morphology, transcriptomic analysis

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