The role of human-pig interactions in modulating gut microbiota, stress, and performance.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The microbiota‒gut‒brain axis modulates pigs' stress response, behavior, and overall welfare. Stressful management practices can disrupt gut microbiota (GM), negatively impacting pigs' health and welfare. This study evaluated how the quality of human handling influences stress-related physiological responses, productive performance, and gut microbiota (GM) composition in pigs during the nursery phase.

Results

Female pigs (n= 36, 21 days old) were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (12 pigs/group, four pens per treatment): positive human handling (PHH), negative human handling (NHH), and a control group (CG). The PHH group experienced gentle tactile interactions, whereas the NHH group was subjected to chronic intermittent stress through acute stressors,

SUBMITTER: Venegas L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12548226 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature