Table 2.
Impact of weaning age on intestinal healtha.
| Parameter | Weaning age (day) | Experimental period (day) | Early weaning impact | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morphology | 21 vs. 28 | 56 | ND | (44) |
| 18 vs. 20 | 4 | ↓ Villus height when challenged with ETEC | (45) | |
| 15, 18 vs. 23 | 35 | ↑ Lamina propria cell counts | (46) | |
| 28 vs. 49 | 7 | ↓ Villus height | (47) | |
| Barrier function | 21 vs. 28 | 56 | ↑ Expression of tight junction proteins in the jejunum | (44) |
| 18 vs. 20 | 4 | ↓ TER when challenged with ETEC | (45) | |
| 15, 18 vs. 23 | 35 | ↓ TER and ↑ mucosal-to-serosal flux of mannitol and inulin | (46) | |
| 28 vs. 49 | 7 | ↑ Mucosal-to-serosal transport of horseradish peroxidase | (47) | |
| Mucosal immunity | 21 vs. 28 | 56 | ND | (44) |
| 18 vs. 20 | 4 | ↑ Mast cell activation when challenged with ETEC in pigs weaned at day 20, but not at 18 | (45) | |
| 15, 18 vs. 23 | 35 | ↑ Numbers of mast cells, corticotrophin-releasing factor, and cortisol levels | (46) | |
| Microbiota | 14, 21, 28, vs. 42 | 7 | ↓ Microbial diversity and richness | (48) |
a
ND, no differences were observed; ETEC, Enterotoxigenic F18 E. coli; TER, transepithelial electrical resistance.