Key achievements in the second 24 months of MonoGutHealth included continuing research, publishing findings in scientific journals, and presenting results at national and international conferences. Most of the 11 students have submitted their theses and passed their viva or are expected to do so in 2025. During this period, two training schools on soft skills and two project meetings were successfully conducted. Additionally, the ESRs organized a dedicated session on the MonoGutHealth project at the 2023 European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) annual conference. Through social media, they consistently shared research updates and experiences from industrial secondments. Some key research highlights are listed below:
Pig Studies
• Regression models using morphometric traits and birth weight identified piglets with intra-uterine growth retardation. While microbial diversity remained stable, specific bacterial groups shifted, and plasma metabolite profiles showed minimal differences.
• The CapSa chyme sampling capsule enabled repeated small intestine sampling, revealing microbiota resilience despite post-weaning diarrhea.
• Supplementing weaned pigs with milk or a liquid starter diet improved growth, intestinal structure, and enzyme activity, while pre-weaning supplementation increased weaning weight and reduced mortality. Colostrum and sow saliva were key drivers of early microbiome development, with microbial diversity stabilizing after weaning.
• Plant-based dietary additives stabilized gut microbiota, reduced pathogens, and alleviated post-weaning diarrhea. Essential oils and plant extracts showed strong antibacterial effects, highlighting their potential as natural antimicrobial alternatives.
• Neonatal glutamine supplementation did not enhance growth but revealed metabolic differences in low vs. normal birthweight piglets, suggesting immature glucose metabolism. Glutamine was primarily absorbed and metabolized rather than incorporated into microbial protein but improved duodenal transcriptional efficiency, protein synthesis, and adaptive metabolic responses.
Chicken Studies
• A copro-ELISA diagnostic tool detected worm antigens in feces. Nematode infections altered plasma metabolites, particularly amino acid metabolism, with metabolic shifts occurring mainly during the patency phase.
• Incubation temperature affected early muscle development, but sex had a stronger influence on myofiber size, bone strength, and meat quality. While early temperature adjustments influenced growth, final weight, meat quality, and walking ability remained largely unaffected.
• Structural diets improved gastrointestinal development, increased gizzard size, and boosted growth in underperforming broilers. High body weight birds showed better ileal nutrient transport and gut integrity, while low body weight birds had higher intestinal permeability and immune activation.
• In ovo probiotic treatment improved cecal histomorphology under optimal conditions but increased susceptibility to inflammation under infection, suggesting health status influences its benefits.
• In ovo injection of galactooligosaccharide or Lactiplantibacillus plantarum was safe, enhancing chick quality, gut health, immune function, and antioxidant capacity without affecting hatchability, growth, or meat quality. These treatments promoted beneficial gut bacteria colonization, supporting poultry health and resilience to environmental stress.
