Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MonoGutHealth (TRAINING AND RESEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT AND SUSTAIN GUT HEALTH AND REDUCE LOSSES IN MONOGASTRIC LIVESTOCK)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-01-01 bis 2024-12-31
Excessive medication in livestock production is a global concern. Overreliance on antimicrobials and the perceived environmental impact of livestock farming contribute to negative consumer perceptions. The most effective way to reduce medication use is by creating optimal conditions for raising healthy animals. Research suggests long-term health is closely linked to gastrointestinal microbiota composition and function. A key opportunity to mitigate production diseases lies in programming gastrointestinal development and microbial colonization through targeted early-life feeding strategies. This approach enhances animal welfare and production efficiency while aligning with Horizon2020 Pillar 3 (SOCIETAL CHALLENGE) goals of food security and sustainable livestock farming.
To achieve these objectives, 11 early-stage researchers (ESRs) tested innovative feeding strategies applied before birth and/or during early neonatal periods in pigs and chickens. These strategies aimed to optimize gastrointestinal development, improve microbiome composition, enhance resilience to pathogens, and develop tools for health monitoring. These innovations were made possible through intersectoral collaborations between industry, academia, and research institutions.
Beyond scientific advancements, the ESRs received comprehensive training, including three training schools on advanced research methodologies and communication. The final two training schools (2023–2024) further equipped them with career-relevant competencies. At the conclusion of their projects, these ESRs have evolved into young scientists with strong expertise and transferable skills. Their development has been shaped by interdisciplinary and multisectoral exposure through project-specific meetings, specialized training, industry secondments, and contributions to dissemination, communication, and outreach activities. This journey has prepared them to drive innovation and contribute to the future of sustainable livestock production.
To achieve these objectives, 11 early-stage researchers (ESRs) tested innovative feeding strategies applied before birth and/or during early neonatal periods in pigs and chickens. These strategies aimed to optimize gastrointestinal development, improve microbiome composition, enhance resilience to pathogens, and develop tools for health monitoring. These innovations were made possible through intersectoral collaborations between industry, academia, and research institutions.
Beyond scientific advancements, the ESRs received comprehensive training, including three training schools on advanced research methodologies and communication. The final two training schools (2023–2024) further equipped them with career-relevant competencies. At the conclusion of their projects, these ESRs have evolved into young scientists with strong expertise and transferable skills. Their development has been shaped by interdisciplinary and multisectoral exposure through project-specific meetings, specialized training, industry secondments, and contributions to dissemination, communication, and outreach activities. This journey has prepared them to drive innovation and contribute to the future of sustainable livestock production.
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.
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.
Horizon2020 aims to support a resource-efficient, competitive economy and enhance food security in Europe. To contribute, MonoGutHealth addressed key challenges in livestock science while providing an innovative doctoral training program. ESRs conducted cutting-edge research at top European institutions across six countries, gaining interdisciplinary expertise in nutrition, physiology, microbiology, parasitology, and molecular biology across two livestock species. Their training included network-wide schools on scientific and soft skills and at least one industry secondment, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration. The skills gained over three years have already helped several ESRs secure postdoctoral or industry positions in leading EU institutions.
Sixteen industry partners played a crucial role, providing research expertise and insights into future challenges in European livestock production. Through hands-on secondments, ESRs explored career opportunities beyond academia. Non-academic partners also expected to generate business opportunities from research innovations, including nutritional alternatives to antimicrobials, novel pre-natal applications for monogastrics, and improved hatchery line organization. Despite pork and chicken being major food sources, societal concerns about production methods and product safety persist, widening the gap between producers and consumers. MonoGutHealth actively engaged with the public through various media, facilitating dialogue between citizens, scientists, and industry. ESRs shared experiences, discussed challenges in modern monogastric production, and demonstrated how their research supports sustainable solutions
Sixteen industry partners played a crucial role, providing research expertise and insights into future challenges in European livestock production. Through hands-on secondments, ESRs explored career opportunities beyond academia. Non-academic partners also expected to generate business opportunities from research innovations, including nutritional alternatives to antimicrobials, novel pre-natal applications for monogastrics, and improved hatchery line organization. Despite pork and chicken being major food sources, societal concerns about production methods and product safety persist, widening the gap between producers and consumers. MonoGutHealth actively engaged with the public through various media, facilitating dialogue between citizens, scientists, and industry. ESRs shared experiences, discussed challenges in modern monogastric production, and demonstrated how their research supports sustainable solutions