Winning the Weaning Race: Go for Gold
Weaning marks an important and often stressful phase in a piglet's development. The transition from a milk-based diet to solid feed poses significant challenges to the piglet’s digestive system, which has been accustomed to easily digestible nutrients. The sudden change in diet composition, coupled with the separation from the sow, induces major physiological adjustments in the gut independently. These changes include for example the restructuring of the intestinal lining, shifts in gut microbiota, and alterations in barrier functions and permeability, inflammation and more (see figure 1). During this phase, piglets often experience a reduction in feed intake as they adapt to the new diet, which can result in malnutrition and slower growth. The immature gut, still developing its capacity to digest solid feed efficiently, becomes more vulnerable to pathogens. This can lead to diarrhea, which is one of the most common health issues during this stage and a major cause of mortality in piglets. The disruption in gut health also weakens the piglet’s immune system, making it more susceptible to infections and further compromising growth and survival.
Figure 1: The damage of weaning stress on the intestinal barrier of piglets (Adapted from: Han et al., 2023)
Maintaining optimal gut health during the weaning period is crucial. A proper support against specifically Gram-negative pathogens, often connected to post weaning diarrhea, and early gut development sets the foundation for nutrient absorption, mucosal immune function, and overall growth potential. Gastrivix™ Go combines the benefits of buffered formic acid and esterified butyric and propionic esters with a phytogenic compound, offering a comprehensive support for piglets specifically during the critical weaning phase. Why these specific combinations? Let’s dive deeper into their modes of action to show why they work so well together.
The Role of Free Organic Acids in Piglet Nutrition
Organic acids - especially formic acid and its salts - have long been recognized for their beneficial role in animal nutrition, particularly in young piglets. Traditionally, organic acids have been known for their ability to support an acidic environment in the upper gastrointestinal tract, which suppresses harmful bacteria and supports nutrient absorption. However, it is debated if short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) directly reduce pH value in the stomach or if their mode of action is entirely linked to their ability of reducing the acid binding capacity (ABC) of feed, making it easier for piglets to naturally acidify the meal in the stomach. In any case the use of formic acid and the creation of acidic conditions in the stomach promotes more efficient digestion and nutrient breakdown, which is critical when piglets are transitioning from milk to solid feed while their digestive systems are still developing.
In addition, formic acid stands out for its antibacterial properties. It is highly effective against Gram-negative bacteria, including pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli, which are common threats to young piglets' health. Formic acid can exert a direct antibacterial effect against these pathogens. At the same time formic acid allows the piglet's stomach to reach a lower pH more efficiently by reducing the feed’s acid-binding capacity, creating an inhospitable environment for these harmful bacteria. This effect ensures that pathogens are unable to bypass the acidic conditions of the stomach and enter the intestines, where they could cause infections and disrupt gut health.
This dual action — both favoring the acidic environment in the upper gastrointestinal tract and the antimicrobial properties — have made formic acid an essential component in strategies to promote resilience and health in piglets during the critical weaning period.
Short-chain fatty acids and gut health
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are widely recognized for their broad range of benefits, particularly for gut health (see figure 2). SCFAs, such as propionic and butyric acid, play key roles in interacting selectively with specific G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) on the surface of intestinal epithelial cells triggering various cellular pathways that significantly affect epithelial function. For example, SCFAs serve as a primary energy source for these cells and can support vital processes such as electrolyte transport, pH regulation, and nutrient absorption. In addition to the metabolic support, SCFAs enhance mucus production and improve its quality, which helps protect the intestinal lining. They also play a role in strengthening the intestinal barrier by helping to maintain its integrity and assisting to reduce its permeability, making it potentially more difficult for pathogens and toxins to pass through. Beyond their physical impact on the gut, SCFAs contribute to intestinal immune regulation, modulating inflammatory responses1.
Butyric and propionic acid play distinct but complementary roles in supporting overall gut health and maintaining intestinal integrity. Butyric acid is particularly beneficial for gut morphology, as it has shown to promote the development of villi and enhance the overall structure of the intestinal lining in many animal species. This improvement in gut morphology is crucial for optimal nutrient absorption and digestion. Additionally, butyric acid has been associated with improved gut functionality, as it helps to regulate mucus production and to strengthen intestinal barrier function. On the other hand, propionic acid plays a vital role in the maintenance of the intestinal barrier, especially in the context of inflammation. Studies in mice indicate that when the intestinal epithelium is damaged due to inflammatory responses, propionic acid facilitates the rapid migration of epithelial cells to the site of injury. This migration could play an essential role for restoring the integrity of the intestinal barrier, as it helps close gaps between cells and prevents the translocation of pathogens and toxins. Together, butyric and propionic acids contribute significantly to gut health, reinforcing the overall importance of SCFAs2.
Figure 2: Positive influence of SCFA in the small intestines (Adapted from: Blaak et al, 2020)
Esterified SCFAs: Targeted Release for Better Epithelial Function
In animal nutrition, the beneficial effects of SCFAs can be particularly impactful for growth when they are exerted in the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract, where their positive influence on gut health can have the greatest effect. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that SCFAs are released and can act effectively in the small intestine, especially during the critical weaning phase. To achieve targeted release, esterification is an excellent tool. This allows the acids to remain intact until they reach the Jejunum, the key section of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) where most nutrient absorption occurs. Esterification is a process that involves combining organic acids with glycerol protecting the acids from breaking down too early in the upper GIT and supporting a slower release mediated via lipases mainly present in the small intestine. By ensuring that SCFAs are delivered to the Jejunum, their effects on gut health, nutrient uptake, and immune function are maximized, helping to improve piglet growth and overall performance during this challenging stage of development.
Phytogenic compound: The Finishing Touch for Comprehensive Gut Health
To complete the gut health package, Gastrivix™ Go also includes cinnamaldehyde, a powerful phytogenic compound with proven antimicrobial effects. Cinnamaldehyde plays a pivotal role in combating pathogens by acting as a quorum quencher, disrupting bacterial communication and thus reducing the virulence of harmful bacteria like Salmonella, particularly impacting its motility3. Additionally, cinnamaldehyde has shown to slow down DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis in E. coli, weakening the bacteria's ability to proliferate and further enhancing the product's overall effectiveness in promoting gut health and protecting piglets during the vulnerable weaning phase.
A powerful blend
Gastrivix™ Go offers a revolution for piglets, built on formic acid's antibacterial effects and the ability to help maintain an optimal gut environment. Formic acid suppresses harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli without affecting the feed's acid-binding capacity, helping to promote gut health and resilience. The combination of formic acid with esterified butyric and propionic acid, specially formulated for targeted release in the small intestine ensures that the product also enhances gut structure and functionality where it's most needed, supporting nutrient absorption and helps to maintain gut integrity. To top it off, cinnamaldehyde plays a pivotal role in reducing pathogen virulence. Together, these components create a powerful solution for boosting piglet growth and performance during the crucial weaning stage.
Proven Performance Driven by Science
In a trial conducted in the UK with weaned piglets, those fed with 2 kg per metric ton of Gastrivix™ Go showed significant improvements in feed conversion ratio (FCR) over a 28-day period (see table 1). The product's impact was particularly noticeable during the critical phase between 1 and 14 days post-weaning, where it resulted in a 7.5% numerical improvement in average daily gain (ADG) compared to the control group, helping to compensate for the typical growth losses during this vulnerable period. Feed intake was also numerically improved by the product in this specific phase. The importance of these numerical improvements cannot be overstated. Even small gains in these metrics, when applied to large groups of animals, lead to substantial returns on investment. Faster growth and higher feed intake in piglets translate to quicker time to market, improved feed efficiency, and reduced production costs.