ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ANIMAL WELFARE, GUT MICROBIOTA COMPOSITION, AND INTESTINAL INTEGRITY DURING WEANING IN PIGLETS.

Welfare-oriented management practices improve gut microbiota composition and intestinal integrity in weaned piglets.

This observational study evaluated the relationships between animal welfare indicators, gut microbiota composition, and intestinal integrity in weaned piglets across eight commercial pig farms. Fecal samples were collected at weaning and 14 days post-weaning, with standardized welfare assessments conducted concurrently. Results demonstrated significant associations between welfare-related management factors and both intestinal barrier function and microbial community composition. Improved environmental conditions, particularly adequate space allowance and pen management, were associated with lower Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels, suggesting reduced pro-inflammatory responses. Social behavior parameters were negatively associated with occludin expression, indicating altered epithelial tight-junction dynamics. Optimized nutritional programs correlated positively with Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) expression, reflecting a more immunoregulatory environment. At the microbiota level, favorable welfare conditions were linked to increased abundance of potentially beneficial fermentative taxa including Ruminococcus, Eubacterium, Bacteroides, and Lactobacillus. These findings highlight a complex interplay between farm management practices, gut microbiota dynamics, and host physiology during the critical post-weaning period. The study underscores the importance of integrating welfare-oriented environmental, social, and nutritional management strategies to support intestinal health and improve piglet resilience to weaning stress under commercial conditions.

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