EFFECT OF CREEP FEEDING SELECTED MICROFLORA AND SHORT-CHAIN FATTY-ACIDS IN THE ILEUM OF WEANLING PIGS

Pigs cannulated at the ileum were used to investigate the effect of cr eep feeding on specific intestinal microflora and VFA and lactate conc entrations. In two replicate trials performed 50 d apart, a total of 2 4 15-d-old nursing pigs from seven sows were cannulated in the termina l ileum and randomly assigned to two test groups. One group was allowe d access to a creep diet, whereas the other group was denied access to the diet by removal from the farrowing crate. Ileal samples were coll ected at 19, 22, 26, and 29 d of age (preweaning) and at 33, 36, and 4 0 d of age (postweaning). Samples were assayed for total and hemolytic E. coli, total lactobacilli, pH, acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobu tyrate, valerate, isovalerate, D(-), and L(+) lactate. Creep feeding d id not affect lactobacilli or E. coli concentrations (P > .05), nor di d it affect short-chain fatty acid concentrations (P > .05). Most vola tile fatty acid concentrations decreased (P < .05), total lactate incr eased (P < .05), and the proportion of E. coli that were hemolytic inc reased (P < .05) following weaning. Consumption of creep feed did not affect specific microbial populations or fermentative byproducts in th e ileum of the young pig.