Weanling pigs are highly susceptible to intestinal health challenges caused by harmful bacterial agents, which can trigger inflammation and weaken intestinal epithelial integrity. However, research on the potential benefits of dietary spirulina as a bioactive feed additive for improving gut health in weanling pigs remains limited. The current study investigated the effect of dietary spirulina supplementation on growth performance, jejunal morphology, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal health of weanling pigs subjected to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. One hundred and twenty-eight weanling pigs were assigned to one of four treatment groups: 1) no spirulina, no LPS challenge, 2) no spirulina, LPS challenge, 3) spirulina, no LPS challenge, and 4) spirulina, LPS challenge. Regardless of LPS exposure, dietary spirulina improved intestinal barrier function by enhancing tight junction integrity, which is essential for preventing gut permeability and maintaining overall gut health. Additionally, spirulina supplementation enhanced antioxidant activity and reduced intestinal inflammation in pigs subjected to an LPS challenge. Further research is needed to assess the impact of dietary spirulina supplementation on intestinal repair and growth performance of pigs when incorporated into their diet for an extended duration.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.