EFFECTS OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION WITH FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES ON COLONIC MICROBIOTA POPULATIONS AND EPITHELIAL-CELL PROLIFERATION IN NEONATAL PIGS

Two experiments were conducted with neonatal pigs to determine the eff ects of feeding fructooligosaccharides on cecal and colonic microbiota , proliferation of cecal and colonic epithelial mucosa, and short-chai n fatty acid concentrations in the cecum. Experiment 1 consisted of fe eding neonatal pigs diets containing either 0 or 3 g fructooligosaccha rides/L of formula for 15 days and then examining the large intestine for changes in cecal and proximal colonic microbiota; cecal pH; short- chain fatty acid concentrations; morphology of cecal, proximal, and di stal colonic epithelial mucosa; gross necropsy; and histopathology. Su pplementation with fructooligosaccharides (FOS) did not alter cell cou nts of viable bifidobacteria organisms or total anaerobic microbiota, cecal pH, or concentrations of short-chain fatty acids. Cecal mucosal cell density and labeled cells increased with FOS consumption. Proxima l colonic mucosal crypt height, leading edge, labeled cells, prolifera tion zone, and labeling index increased with FOS consumption. Distal c olonic mucosal crypt height, leading edge, cell density, labeling inde x, and labeled cells increased with FOS consumption. Gross necropsy an d histopathology found no significant lesions. In Experiment 2, neonat al pigs were fed diets containing either 0 or 3 g fructooligosaccharid es/L of formula for 6 days. Fecal samples were collected on the first full day of feeding and on days 3 and 6 after initiation of feeding. O n days 1 and 3, concentrations of bifidobacteria were similar between diets; however, on day 6, pigs consuming FOS tended to have greater nu mbers of bifidobacteria (p = 0.08). These data suggest dietary consump tion of FOS will enhance bifidobacteria populations and prevent coloni c epithelial mucosa atrophy in neonates fed an elemental diet.