Ms. O. (Odette) Pérez Gutiérrez: Unraveling piglet gut microbiota dynamics in response to feed additives

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29 Jun 2010 11:00
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: prof.dr. W.M. de Vos (Microbiology)
Promotor: Prof.dr.ir. M.W.A. Verstegen
Co Promotor: Dr. H. Smidt

 The gastrointestinal tract of pigs is inhabited by a high number of microbes that have an important function in keeping the host (the pig) healthy. This microbiota is strongly affected during weaning, i.e. the period when the piglet is removed from the mother and starts having a solid diet. In the past, antibiotics have been used in piglets to counteract the negative effects of this weaning transition. However, the use of antibiotics has been prohibited in the European Union causing the need to find natural alternatives, such as prebiotics, probiotics or plant compounds.
This thesis presents the results of various studies addressing the response of piglet gastrointestinal tract microbiota to the supplementation with different feed additives. For this purpose, innovative cultivation independent biomolecular methods were developed for high throughput profiling of pig intestinal microbiota composition. The application of these molecular tools described provided important information that can be used to support the design of sustainable dietary strategies aiming at the replacement of antibiotics.
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