Impact of Diet Nutritional Quality on Swine Gastrointestinal Health and Growth Performance

Dear Colleagues,

Understanding the interactions between nutrition and the immune system is crucial for adjusting nutrient requirements and dietary formulations to optimize swine production efficiency from the early stages. In this regard, the selection of the best feed additives to be included in the diet is essential due to their potential to enhance the well-being of pigs in ways beyond providing necessary nutrients. Many additives elicit positive effects on pig health and performance by altering the microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract or by possessing immunomodulatory properties. Consequently, there is a need to gain better insights into the underlying physiological, nutritional, and immunological adaptations occurring in the gastrointestinal tract at different production stages, enabling the practical application of nutritional approaches to support organ function and immunity.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome.

Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: health and immune status effects on nutrient partitioning and the nutrient requirements of swine; intestinal health and its effects on swine immunity and nutrition; the toxins and antinutritional factors of common feedstuffs fed to swine; the effects of the physical form of feed on pig performance and health; the impact of stress on nutrient metabolism, gastrointestinal tract development, and different stages of pig production; the potential implications of improved health provided by traditional feed ingredients or alternative ingredients; and microbiome and welfare interactions with swine nutrition and production.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Mayra Anton Dib Saleh
Guest Editor

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• alternative feedstuffs
• feed additives
• immunomodulation
• intestinal biomarkers
• intestinal microbiota
• intestinal morphometry
• metabolism
• multi-omics
• physiological stress
• pig immunity and welfare