Long-lasting effects of early-life antibiotic treatment and routine animal handling on gut microbiota composition and immune system in pigs.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In intensive pig husbandry systems, antibiotics are frequently administrated during early life stages to prevent respiratory and gastro-intestinal tract infections, often in combination with stressful handlings. The immediate effects of these treatments on microbial colonization and immune development have been described recently. Here we studied whether the early life administration of antibiotics has long-lasting effects on the pig's intestinal microbial community and on gut functionality.

Methodology/principal findings

To investigate the long-lasting effect of early-life treatment, piglets were divided into three different groups receiving the following treatments: 1) no antibiotics and no stress, 2) antibiotics and no stress, and 3) antibiotics and stress. All

SUBMITTER: Schokker D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4319779 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature