TITLE:
Review: Effects of Dietary Fiber Levels and Composition on the Intestinal Health of Finishing Pigs
AUTHORS:
Gwen Mozamane Tiishetso Maswanganye, Bo Liu, Dongsheng Che, Rui Han
KEYWORDS:
Intestinal Health, Dietary Fiber, Fermentation, Gut Microbiota, Immunity
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.11 No.3,
June
17,
2021
ABSTRACT: Despite the fact that dietary fiber is predominant in common feedstuff,
its level in the diets of monogastrics has seen a proportional increment with
the inclusion of co-products. The source and composition of DF could be liable
for enormous varieties in their use. A study carried out by scientists proposed
that three major components constitute gut health: the diet, the mucosa, and
the commensal microbiota. 70% of total body immune cells constitute the
gastrointestinal tract of pigs, therefore it is important that it is included
when defining intestinal health. Gut health is of substantial importance in the
maintenance of growth performance and overall health of monogastrics. The
fermentation of DF results in SCFA which enhances mucosal epithelial
proliferation and villus height. Nonetheless, supplementing dietary fiber to
the diet in moderation may result in an increase in gut size, volume, length
and morphological structure of pigs and other non-ruminants. Gut health
maintenance exhibits a certain level of complexity and a subtle balance between
mucosa, diet, the commensal microflora, including the digestive epithelium and
along with mucous overlaying it. The microbial changes of dietary fiber to
monosaccharides in the gut include various principal occasions (reactions)
intervened by the enzymatic collection of particularized groups from the gut
microbiota. Because fermentation is dependent upon source, structure and
physio-chemical properties of dietary fiber, it is therefore of great
importance to have as much data as possible on various types of dietary fiber
and how intestinal health can be enhanced by them. Thus, there is growing
evidence that dietary fiber may have prebiotic effects in pigs. In addition,
dietary fiber in diets improves pigs well-being by increasing satiety,
influencing behaviour and improving overall health. This
review aims to shed more light on the dietary fiber levels and composition on
the intestinal health of finishing pigs.