Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
supplementation of maternal diet with fish oil (EPA and DHA) increased colonic
permeability in suckling rats leading to increased susceptibility to colitis later in life (3
months of age) (Innis
et al.
, 2010). Similar changes in piglet epithelial barrier function
have recently been confirmed when supplementing the sow diet with linseed oil (ALA)
(De Quelen
et al.
, 2011). Intestinal permeability was increased and this was likely related
to diet-induced neuroplastic changes in the enteric nervous system which controls
intestinal functions. No effect on the inflammatory state of the intestinal mucosa was
observed but an increase of MHC class II+ antigen presenting cells was noted later in life
(Boudry, Ferret-Bernard and Le Huërou-Luron, unpublished results).
In conclusion, supplementation of the maternal diet with n-3 PUFA modifies the
functional development of the intestine and the maturation of the gut immune system.
The consequences seem not to be obvious during the suckling period, when lactogenic
immunity is still present, but may be more important for post-weaning growth and
health. The effects of such modifications in the maturation of the gut immune system of
neonates on older pigs faced to critical situations (nutritional and sanitary challenges)
warrant further investigation.
15.4
Conclusions
The present review of the literature illustrates how the maternal environment may modify
the establishment of the gut microbiota and the programming of gut immunity in early
life. At birth, environmental factors, including diet, are more important than genetic
factors in determining the composition of microbiota. Diet composition and nutritional
balances play important roles in maintaining epithelial integrity, proliferation and barrier
function postnatally. It was demonstrated that prenatal stress, related to maternal stress
applied during late pregnancy, has a pronounced disrupting influence on the immune
system of the offspring in pigs (Couret
et al.
, 2009; Merlot
et al.
, 2013). Interestingly, recent
studies provide strong support for the idea that short dietary changes before weaning or a
modification of the early intestinal bacterial colonization can have a long-term impact on
the severity of inflammatory response without changing the basal physiology of barrier
function and cytokine profile in the intestine (Boudry
et al.
, 2013; Chatelais
et al.
, 2011).
Research on gut health should now be focused on how diet may modify the relationships
between the gut microbiota, the GALT and the epithelial barrier, thereby potentially
influencing the susceptibility to stress or nutritional challenges later in life, such as those
encountered after weaning, when changing housing or when the sanitary quality of
environment is reduced. A better understanding of the long-term effects of such changes
and of the (epigenetic) mechanisms involved, as well as careful use of animal genetic
selection could all improve animal production and alleviate some of the negative effects
of management strategies such as feedstuff restriction and use of antibiotics.
