The influence of gut microbiome on developing immune and metabolic systems in the young pig

Abstract

The immune and metabolic systems of young piglets develop after birth, and the rate and type of development are strongly associated with the rate and type of colonisation of the intestine with bacteria. This chapter describes the enteric and mucosal immune systems of pigs and presents evidence from experimental studies of the links between the immune system and microbiota. The chapter describes the microbiome and metabolism of pigs and highlights its importance in the development of pig immune systems.