Impact of sanitary conditions and dietary amino acids on behaviour and brain monoamine levels in piglets.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Immune activation due to poor hygienic conditions may affect behaviour, as the immune system and brain are linked through several mechanisms. This putative effect may partly result from increased amino acid (AA) metabolism, affecting brain monoamine levels. As pigs can select a diet that meets their AA requirements, offering them the choice between an AA deficient and AA enriched diet may influence the effects of sanitary conditions on brain neurochemistry and behaviour.

Methods

We investigated the behavioural and neurochemical effects of high (HSC) vs. low (LSC) sanitary conditions on pigs with or without a choice to select between two diets differing in AA concentration in a 2x2 factorial experiment. Female pair-housed piglets (n = 48) were kept under HSC or LSC

SUBMITTER: Minussi I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12356033 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature