Effects of tributyrin on growth performance, intestinal microflora and barrier function of weaned pigs

This study evaluated the effects of tributyrin supplementation on the growth performance, intestinal microflora and barrier function of weaned pigs. A total of 144 piglets (Duroc x (Landrace x Yorkshire), average initial weight of 6.82 kg weaned at 24 +/- 1 day) were allotted to 4 treatments for 2 weeks, each of which had 6 pens with 6 pigs per pen (3 barrows and 3 gilts). The four treatments were the control (basal diet), and the basal diet supplemented with 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg tributyrin, respectively. After the feeding experiment, 6 pigs per treatment were slaughtered to investigate the effects of tributyrin on intestinal microflora and barrier function. The results showed that tributyrin supplementation in increasing concentrations increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG), reduced (P < 0.05) the fecal scores, improved (P < 0.05) intestinal morphology, as indicated by greater villus height and villus height: crypt depth, and intestinal barrier function reflected by increased transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and decreased paracellular flux of dextran (FD4). Moreover, the 16s rRNA results showed that incremental levels of tributyrin increased (P < 0.05) the ratio of Lactobacilli to Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the jejunum and colon of weaned piglet. The results indicated that incremental levels of tributyrin increased average daily gain and decreased fecal scores of weaned pigs. The improvements in growth performance may result from the improved the intestinal microflora, morphology and barrier function. Thus, dietary tributyrin offers a promising approach to alleviative post-weaning intestinal tract disorders in pigs.