%0 Journal Article
%T Development and Function of the Intestinal Microbiome and Potential Implications for Pig Production
%A Kate J. Plush
%A Mary Barton
%A Roy N. Kirkwood
%J Archive of "Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI".
%D 2019
%R 10.3390/ani9030076
%X Piglet preweaning mortality is a major economic loss and welfare concern for the global pork industry, with the industry average sitting at approximately 15%. As such, novel methods for reducing this mortality are needed. Since research into the intestinal microbiota has provided advances in human health, in particular the impact of early life factors, it was the logical next step to synthesise the existing literature to determine the potential relevance to the pig industry. It is evident from the literature that this area of research provides promising results. However, a large gap within the literature currently exists within the lactation period in pigs. Since optimal development within early life is proving to be critical for human infants, it is crucial that further research is invested into understanding the impact of early life events on a piglet¡¯s microbiome. It is hoped that this review will enable access to critical information for those interested in the microbiome and its potential for improving herd health on the farm
%K intestinal microbiota
%K neonatal environment
%K management
%K piglet
%K performance
%U https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6466301/