N-氨甲酰谷氨酸对断奶环江香猪肠道微生物区系的影响

研究N-氨甲酰谷氨酸(NCG)对断奶仔猪肠道微生物区系的影响。试验选用体重为3.17±0.21 kg的21日龄断奶环江香猪12头,随机分为2组,每组6头,分别饲喂添加0.1%NCG日粮和基础日粮,试验期为14d。试验结束时,采集回肠和盲肠内容物,利用T-RFLP、PCR/DGGE和荧光定量PCR技术,测定其肠道微生物区系的变化。结果表明,与对照组相比,NCG组回肠内容物中微生物的多样性增加,回肠和盲肠内容物中双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌的数量显著增加、大肠埃希菌的数量显著降低(P0.05),盲肠内容物中链球菌的数量也显著降低(P0.05)。可见,日粮中添加0.1%NCG有助于提高断奶环江香猪肠道内容物中有益菌的数量、抑制有害菌的繁殖,从而改善肠道微生物区系。     

壳寡糖对环江香猪生化参数及肠道菌群组成的影响

为了探讨壳寡糖(COS)用作环江香猪饲料添加剂的可行性,试验选用21日龄断奶的环江香猪12头,随机分为2组,每组6头,分别饲喂添加0.5%COS的基础日粮和添加抗生素的基础日粮,试验期为14 d。试验结束时采集仔猪血液,肝素抗凝,离心分离血浆,测定生化参数;处死后取回肠和盲肠内容物,用荧光定量PCR测定其中双歧杆菌、乳酸杆菌、链球菌、大肠杆菌和总细菌的数量。结果表明,与对照组相比,壳寡糖组仔猪碱性磷酸酶活性显著增加(P<0.05),血氨和尿素氮含量有降低趋势(P>0.05);壳寡糖组回肠乳酸杆菌数量显著增加、链球菌数量显著降低(P<0.05),盲肠双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌数量显著增加、大肠杆菌和链球菌数量显著降低(P<0.05)。上述结果提示,壳寡糖可在一定程度上改善环江香猪蛋白质代谢和肠道菌群平衡,从而增强其肠道健康。     

甘露寡糖对断奶仔猪肠道主要菌群的影响

选择健康的 35日龄断奶仔猪 4 8头 ,随机分为两组 ,每组 3圈 ,每圈 8头。一组为含 0 .5 %甘露寡糠 +基础日粮 ,另一组为基础日粮。试验开始第 7天 ,每组各随机选 6头仔猪 ,麻醉后剖腹取肠道内容物以测定盲肠和结肠大肠杆菌、乳酸杆菌及双歧杆菌浓度和 p H。试验结果表明 ,与对照组相比 ,甘露寡糖可以显著降低盲肠、结肠大肠杆菌浓度 (P<0 .0 5 ) ;同时显著提高盲肠乳酸杆菌和双歧杆菌浓度 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,但对结肠乳酸杆菌和双歧杆菌数影响不显著 (P>0 .0 5 )     

刺五加提取物对断奶仔猪血常规和抗氧化功能的影响

为研究日粮添加刺五加提取物对断奶仔猪血常规和抗氧化功能的影响,选择21日龄断奶仔猪60头,随机分为3个处理,每个处理20个重复,单栏饲养,分别饲喂基础日粮+0.1%刺五加提取物、基础日粮+0.02%粘杆菌素和基础日粮.于试验开始后第7、14和28 d每个处理随机选取5头试猪,前腔静脉采血,测定血常规和抗氧化指标.结果表明:刺五加提取物能显著改善断奶仔猪的抗病能力,减轻应激反应,机体抗氧化酶活性明显升高;第7 d时提取物组MID、PLT、MDA和NO含量显著小于基础日粮组(P＜0.05);第14 d时提取物组WBC显著小于、CAT活性显著大于基础日粮组(P＜0.05);第28 d时提取物组WBC、MID和GRA显著小于(P＜0.05),SOD活性大于基础日粮组(P＞0.05).     

菊粉和刺五加提取物对早期断奶仔猪生长性能、血液指标和肠道形态的影响

试验选用120头21日龄5.64kg左右的三元杂交断奶仔猪,分别饲喂基础日粮(对照组)、基础日粮+抗生素(抗生素组)和基础日粮+5%菊粉+0.1%刺五加提取物(实验组),试验期为14d,观察日粮中复合添加菊粉和刺五加(AS)提取物对早期断奶仔猪生长性能、血液生化指标和肠道形态的影响。试验结果表明,实验组与对照组相比,仔猪日增重(ADG)显著提高(P0.05),而料肉比(F/G)则显著降低(P0.05),但平均日采食量(ADFI)差异不显著(P0.05);实验组仔猪血清中血糖(GLU)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和尿素氮(BUN)与对照组差异不显著(P0.05),但试验第14d,碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)浓度均显著高于对照组(P0.05);实验组仔猪十二指肠和回肠的隐窝深度显著高于对照组(P0.05),空肠和回肠的绒毛高度显著高于对照组(P0.05)。试验显示,日粮中添加菊粉和刺五加提取物对提高早期断奶仔猪的生长性能、改善小肠消化和吸收功能有重要作用。     

猪不同肠段微生物体外培养对蛋氨酸的代谢特性

【目的】旨在通过微生物体外发酵技术,以回肠微生物为参照,研究猪盲肠及结肠微生物对在小肠微生物中代谢率较低的蛋氨酸的代谢特性。【方法】采集4头健康100 kg左右杜×长×大杂交猪的盲肠、结肠与回肠食糜作为接种物,分别接种于10 mmol/L蛋氨酸的培养基中,37°C体外培养24 h。分别设含蛋基酸溶液和含各肠段食糜接种物的空白对照组。【结果】(1)不同肠段微生物以蛋氨酸为底物体外发酵,盲肠组蛋氨酸消失率(21.9%)显著高于结肠组(16.7%)与回肠组(16.3%)(P0.05)。盲肠组总SCFA量显著高于结肠与回肠组(P0.05),伴随着p H值下降程度最高;盲肠组MCP产量也显著高于结肠与回肠组(P0.05);在产气量与NH3-N浓度上,盲肠组与结肠组均显著低于回肠组(P0.05)。(2)以蛋氨酸为底物体外发酵,门水平上,总菌、厚壁菌门含量在各肠段组间无显著差异(P0.05),拟杆菌门含量在盲肠组最高;与不加蛋氨酸底物的对照组比较,三个肠段试验组总菌、厚壁菌门含量均显著高于对照组(P0.05),而拟杆菌门含量在试验组与对照组间差异不显著(P0.05)。属水平上,盲肠组和结肠组大肠杆菌属数量显著低于回肠组(P0.05),而柔嫩梭菌属和梭菌XIV属数量在盲肠组和结肠组均高于回肠组;各肠段组间双歧杆菌数量无显著差异(P0.05)。【结论】以蛋氨酸为底物,体外培养猪盲肠微生物对蛋氨酸代谢率高于回肠微生物,伴随着其他发酵参数的变化,并且发酵产生更多的菌体蛋白。相比于回肠微生物发酵,大肠微生物发酵后,柔嫩梭菌属和梭菌XIV属数量较高,而大肠杆菌属数量较低。     

益气健脾中药颗粒剂对早期断奶仔猪肠道菌群的影响

目的研究中药复方颗粒剂对断奶仔猪肠道微生态的影响。方法实验选用人工感染大肠埃希菌引起腹泻的28日龄断奶仔猪54头,随机平均分为3组,每组3个重复,Ⅰ组抗生素治疗组、Ⅱ组中药复方颗粒剂治疗组、Ⅲ组不用任何药物治疗的空白对照组。分别于用药后第14天时,每组随机抽取1头屠宰,无菌采集空肠,回肠和盲肠内容物,利用平板计数法测定各肠段大肠埃希菌、双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌数量。结果 Ⅰ组双歧杆菌、乳酸杆菌及大肠埃希菌的数量均显著小于Ⅲ组（P〈0.05）;Ⅱ组双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌的数量显著大于Ⅲ组（P〈0.05）,大肠埃希菌数量显著小于Ⅲ组（P〈0.05）; n组双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌的数量极显著大于Ⅰ组（P〈0.01）,Ⅱ组与Ⅰ组大肠埃希菌数量差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论该中药复方颗粒剂具有显著增加断奶仔猪肠道中双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌的数量,降低大肠埃希菌数量,减少腹泻频率的作用。     

金针菇菇脚对肉鸡肠道菌群的影响

目的研究金针菇菇脚(Flammulina velutipes stembase,FVS)对肉鸡生长性能、肠道发育及肠道菌群的影响。方法选取4 550只1日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉鸡,随机分为5组:空白组(基础日粮)、2%FVS组(基础日粮+2%FVS)、4%FVS组(基础日粮+4%FVS)、6%FVS组(基础日粮+6%FVS)和6%FVS阶段组(基础日粮+试验第1、3、5周饲喂含有6%FVS的日粮,于试验2、4、6周饲喂基础日粮)。试验为期42d。结果 FVS组肉鸡平均日增重量均显著高于空白组(P0.05)。6%FVS组和6%FVS阶段组肉鸡平均日采食量显著高于空白组(P0.05)。FVS组肉鸡料重比均显著低于空白组(P0.05)。与空白组相比,日龄21d时,2%FVS组肉鸡回肠和盲肠重量均显著增加(P0.05);4%FVS组十二指肠长度和盲肠重量均显著增加(P0.05);6%FVS阶段组十二指肠长度及重量、空肠长度及重量和回肠重量均显著增加(P0.05)。与空白组相比,日龄42d时,2%FVS组肉鸡十二指肠长度和重量及盲肠重量均显著增加(P0.05);4%FVS组十二指肠长度和重量、回肠长度和盲肠长度及重量均显著增加(P0.05);6%FVS组十二指肠长度和盲肠长度及重量均显著增加(P0.05);6%FVS阶段组十二指肠重量、空肠重量和回肠长度及重量均显著增加(P0.05)。与空白组相比,日龄21d时6%FVS阶段组肉鸡盲肠菌群DNA条带数显著增加;日龄42d时FVS组肉鸡盲肠菌群DNA条带数均显著增加。日龄21d和42d时肉鸡盲肠菌群共性条带中均含有扭链胃球菌(Ruminococcus torques),而FVS组含有大量的产酸菌。结论日粮中添加FVS可提高肉鸡生长能力、促进肠道发育、增加肠道菌群多样性。     

低蛋白质日粮对断奶仔猪生长相关激素和肠道微生物区系的影响

【目的】在饲喂低蛋白质日粮条件下,探究断奶仔猪生长相关激素、回肠和盲肠微生物组成及其代谢产物的变化。【方法】选取体重相近杜长大断奶仔猪54头,随机平均分为3组,每组18头,分别饲喂含20%(NP组)、17%(MP组)和14%(LP组)粗蛋白日粮,平衡日粮中的赖氨酸、蛋氨酸、苏氨酸和色氨酸,于试验第10、25和45天每组屠宰6头,采血测定血常规和生长相关激素;于第45天采集回肠和盲肠食糜,分析微生物及其代谢产物。【结果】与NP组相比,第25和45天时MP和LP组尿素氮水平显著降低(P0.05),第25天时LP组甘油三脂含量、第45天时LP组胆固醇含量显著增加(P0.05)。各时间点血液胰高血糖素、胰岛素、生长激素、T3和T4在3组之间差异均不显著。门水平上,回肠和盲肠中的微生物均以厚壁菌门占主导地位,但各组间差异不显著;随日粮蛋白质含量降低,乳酸杆菌属呈上升趋势,严格梭菌属呈下降趋势,但差异不显著。降低日粮蛋白质含量显著减少了回肠和盲肠中氨氮的产量(P0.05)。【结论】断奶仔猪日粮蛋白质降低3或6个百分点不影响机体生长相关激素的分泌,但能降低血液尿素氮和肠道内氨氮的浓度,对肠道有益菌乳酸杆菌属的相对丰度有一定的提高作用。这说明低蛋白质日粮能提高断奶仔猪对饲料氮源的利用率,且有利于肠道健康。     

乳酸杆菌对攻毒小鼠的保护作用和对肠道菌群的影响

将含有乳酸杆菌Lactobacillus casei Zhang的悬浮液分组饲喂小鼠,然后分别用E.coliO157和K88攻毒观察发病情况。攻毒4d后取对照组和喂菌组未死亡小鼠的肠内容物,用选择性培养基分离纯化大肠杆菌和乳酸菌,提取分离到菌株的总DNA,进行ERIC-PCR扩增分析。发现灌服L.casei Zhang可以降低攻毒后小鼠的死亡率,在停止饲喂乳酸菌的第4d从小鼠肠道内分离到L.casei Zhang,从饲喂组未分离到E.coliO157和K88,喂L.casei Zhang使小鼠肠道中大肠杆菌总数极显著低于对照组。表明所饲喂的乳杆菌可以在小鼠肠道内定殖并对小鼠起到保护作用。     

粘杆菌素对断奶仔猪血液电解质稳态的影响

本试验选用21日龄断奶的三元杂交仔猪40头,按单因子设计分为2组,处理1饲喂添加0．02％粘杆菌素日粮,处理2饲喂基础日粮,试验期28d。观察并记录每天的腹泻情况,计算各周的腹泻指数;并分别于试验的第7、14和28d考察仔猪前腔静脉血中电解质水平的变化以及各肠段大肠埃希氏菌和乳酸杆菌的数量。结果表明粘杆菌素能显著抑制各肠段大肠埃希氏菌的繁殖,防治仔猪腹泻（P〈0．05）,显著提高血清磷、镁和亚铁离子含量（P〈0．05）。结果提示粘杆菌素可增强仔猪抗应激能力,降低腹泻导致的水和电解质损失,维持血液内环境的平衡。     

Enterococcus faecium EK13--an enterocin a-producing strain with probiotic character and its effect in piglets

The experiment was conducted to determine the effects of the inoculation of the probiotic and enterocin A-producing strain Enterococcus faecium EK13 on selected parameters of metabolic profile, gut microflora, growth, and health in newborn piglets of Slovak White Improved. Piglets for study were divided into two groups: one group (EK13 group, n=8) received strain EK13 per os once daily for 7 days (2ml per piglet, 10(9)CFU/mL of saline buffer). The control group of piglets (n=7) was given placebo-saline buffer. The experiment lasted 14 days. After 7 days, strain EK13 reached 9.8 log(10) CFU/g in faeces of E. faecium EK13 treated piglets while counts of Escherichia coli were significantly lower (P<0.01) than in piglets of the control group. The concentrations of total serum protein, calcium, haemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cell count and index of phagocytic activity of leukocytes were significantly higher after application of strain EK13. On the other hand, cholesterol was significantly lower in the EK13 group of animals. On day 14, piglets were killed and samples of intestinal contents were taken. Total counts of bacteria in the intestinal contents (jejunum, ileum, caecum, colon) were not significantly influenced. The pH value was significantly lower (P<0.05) only in duodenum of piglets receiving E. faecium EK13. There was a significant higher concentration of lactic acid (P<0.01) and propionic acid in the colon (P<0.001) of the EK13 group. Application of E. faecium EK13 did not influence the daily body weight gain significantly.     

不同生长性能苏姜猪保育猪肠道菌群差异分析

【背景】苏姜猪是优质瘦肉型新品种猪,断奶仔猪受到多方面应激影响会出现生长性能差异。【目的】研究不同生长性能的苏姜猪保育猪肠道菌群结构的异同。【方法】试验选取了同日龄、体重相近、健康情况良好的的保育仔猪100头,在相同的饲养条件下饲养42 d,试验结束选取体重较轻的为弱仔猪,3头弱仔猪体重为18.43±2.37kg;体重较大的为健康仔猪,3头健康仔猪体重为27.37±1.36 kg。屠宰后,采集其空肠和盲肠内容物,提取微生物基因组DNA进行高通量测序分析其菌群结构。【结果】苏姜猪仔猪空肠和盲肠在菌群丰度、多样性上有极显著的差异(P<0.01)。苏姜猪仔猪空肠菌群优势菌群为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)的非致病性菌株,占比超过90%。苏姜猪仔猪盲肠优势菌门依次为拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、变形菌门(Proteobacteria)。门水平组成结构存在差异,弱仔猪厚壁菌门丰度低于健康仔猪、变形菌门丰度高于健康仔猪。苏姜猪盲肠中普雷沃氏菌属(Prevotella)、疣微菌科UCG-005 (Rumi...     

刺五加提取物对早期断奶仔猪生长性能和血清生化参数的影响

早期断奶会使仔猪产生心理、环境和营养应激反应,引起仔猪腹泻、营养不良和生长迟滞等。本试验通过在日粮中添加刺五加提取物,饲喂21日龄断奶仔猪,观察其生长性能、腹泻指数、器官指数和血清生化参数等指标的变化,为开发绿色防病促生长剂提供理论依据。结果表明,刺五加提取物能够显著提高早期断奶仔猪的平均日采食量和平均日增重(P<0.05),降低料肉比,显著防治早期断奶仔猪腹泻(P<0.05),其作用强于粘杆菌素;刺五加提取物组第1周的α-淀粉酶、谷草转氨酶和谷丙转氨酶活性均大于对照组(P>0.05),第2周的尿素氮含量极显著大于抗生素组和对照组(P<0.01),碱性磷酸酶活性显著小于对照组(P<0.05),第4周的α-淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性显著大于对照组(P<0.05)。上述结果提示,刺五加提取物能够缓解仔猪的早期断奶应激,增强机体抵抗力,促进生长。     

Changes in the diversity and composition of gut microbiota of weaned piglets after oral administration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus</Emphasis> or an antibiotic

The gut microbiota plays important roles in the health and well-being of animals, and high-throughput sequencing facilitates exploration of microbial populations in the animal gut. However, previous studies have focused on fecal samples instead of the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we compared the microbiota diversity and composition of intestinal contents of weaned piglets treated with Lactobacillus reuteri or chlortetracycline (aureomycin) using high-throughput sequencing. Nine weaned piglets were randomly divided into three groups and supplemented with L. reuteri, chlortetracycline, or saline for 10 days, and then the contents of three intestinal segments (jejunum, colon, and cecum) were obtained and used for sequencing of the V3–V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. The microbiota diversity and composition in the jejunum were different from those in the colon and cecum among the three treatments. In the jejunum, treatment with L. reuteri increased the species richness of the microbiota, as indicated by the ACE and Chao1 indexes, compared with the chlortetracycline group, in which several taxa were eliminated. In the colon and cecum, relative abundances of the phylum Firmicutes and the genus Prevotella were higher in the chlortetracycline group than in the other groups. Distances between clustered samples revealed that the L. reuteri group was closer to the chlortetracycline group than the control group for jejunum samples, while colon and cecum samples of the L. reuteri group were clustered with those of the control group. This study provides fundamental knowledge for future studies such as the development of alternatives to antibiotics.     

Effects of the antimicrobial peptide cecropin AD on performance and intestinal health in weaned piglets challenged with Escherichia coli

This study was conducted to determine the effects of the antimicrobial peptide cecropin on performance and intestinal health in piglets. Newly weaned barrows were randomly assigned to one of three treatments (n=8), including a corn-soybean basal diet or similar diets supplemented with antibiotics (100 mg/kg kitasamycin plus 800 mg/kg colistin sulfate) or 400 mg/kg cecropin AD. On day 13, all piglets were orally challenged with 10(9)CFU/mL of Escherichia coli K88. On day 19, all piglets were euthanized and sampled. Before challenge, piglets fed antibiotics had greater weight gain, feed efficiency, nitrogen and energy retention than the control (P<0.05). E. coli challenge decreased weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency for the control piglets (P<0.05) but not for the antibiotic or cecropin AD treated piglets. The incidence of diarrhea post-challenge in the antibiotic and cecropin AD treatments decreased compared with the control piglets. The total viable counts of cecal E. coli were lower while the Lactobacilli counts were higher in the antibiotic and cecropin AD treatments compared with the control (P<0.05). Cecropin AD treatment decreased total aerobes while increasing total anaerobes in the ileum (P<0.05). A higher villus height to crypt depth ratio in the jejunum and ileum as well as a deeper crypt depth in the jejunum and higher villus height in the ileum were observed in piglets fed antibiotics or cecropin AD compared with control piglets (P<0.05). Piglets fed the control diet had lower levels of secretory IgA in their jejunum and lower serum IgA, IgG, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 compared with the other treatments (P<0.05). Overall, these data suggest that cecropin AD enhances pig performance through increasing immune status and nitrogen and energy retention as well as reducing intestinal pathogens in weaned piglets.     

刺五加提取物对早期断奶仔猪生长性能和抗氧化能力的影响(英文)

为了研究刺五加提取物(ASE)替代抗生素降低仔猪早期断奶应激的效果及其作用机制.刺五加提取物多糖、黄酮和有机酸含量分别为2.94,0.19和1.04%;试验选用96头体重相近的21日龄杜×长×大断奶仔猪,按体重和性别随机分为3个处理,每个处理4个重复,分别饲喂基础日粮、添加ASE日粮(1 g/kg)和添加抗生素日粮(0.04%杆菌肽锌+0.03%咔吧氧).试验期为14 d,观察仔猪生长性能,测定7和14 d血清抗氧化指标等的变化.与基础日粮组相比,ASE和抗生素分别提高了仔猪日增重(ADG)16.81(P＞0.05)和24.66%(P＜0.05),均显著降低了料肉比(F/G)(P＜0.05);与抗生素组差异不显著.ASE和抗生素均可提高血清SOD水平;但是,在抗生素组中,第14 d仔猪血清SOD有降低的趋势(从147.96±15.88 U/mL降低至125.68±14.26U/mL).ASE有提高断奶后第7和14 d血清GSH含量的趋势(P=0.235和0.211),并极显著降低了7和14 d血清MDA水平(P＜0.05).结果表明,ASE可促进仔猪生长,提高机体抗氧化能力,在一定程度上可以替代抗生素.     

Influence of the gut microflora on protein synthesis in tissues and in the whole body of chicks.

1. The influence of the gut microflora on protein synthesis in individual tissues and in the whole body of young chicks was investigated by the large-dose injection of [3H]phenylalanine. 2. Growth of germ-free chicks was significantly better than that of conventional controls. Wet weights of liver, spleen, duodenum, jejunum + ileum and caeca were heavier in conventional birds than in germ-free counterparts. 3. Fractional rates of protein synthesis were higher in jejunum + ileum and whole body of conventional birds than in those of germ-free birds. Amounts of protein synthesized were larger in liver, jejunum + ileum and caeca in the presence of the gut microflora. 4. When tissues were classified into gut + liver and the remainder of the carcass, in the presence of the gut microflora an enhanced protein synthesis in fractional and absolute rate was found in the gut + liver, which is in direct contact or in close association with micro-organisms, whereas virtually no effect of the gut micro-organisms was detected in the remainder of the carcass. 5. The contribution of protein synthesis of gut + liver to that of the whole body was larger in conventional chicks than in germ-free birds, whereas the reverse was true for the remainder of the carcass.     

Changes in abundance of Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus suis in the stomach, jejunum and ileum of piglets after weaning

This present study investigated the changes in bacterial community composition, with an emphasis on Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus suis populations as potentially beneficial and harmful groups, in the stomach, jejunum and ileum of piglets after weaning (21 days postpartum) by 16S rRNA gene-based methods. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis showed that, after weaning, predominant bands related to Lactobacillus spp. disappeared and were replaced by potential pathogenic species, such as Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Moraxella cuniculi, S. suis and Porphyromonas catoniae. Real-time PCR revealed that the abundances of lactobacilli and Lactobacillus sobrius as a proportion of total bacterial abundance were significantly lower in the stomach, jejunum and ileum of weaned piglets than in 21-day-old piglets. A specific and sensitive real-time PCR assay was developed for quantification of the important pathogen S. suis within gastrointestinal microbiota. The assay showed that S. suis predominated in the stomach samples of weaned piglets with population levels up to 10(7) copies g(-1) digesta, while it was not detected in the stomach before weaning. Streptococcus suis was not dominant in the jejunum and ileum digesta before weaning, but became dominant after weaning, with population levels up to 10(7) copies g(-1) digesta. The results demonstrated for the first time the postweaning dominance of the potentially harmful S. suis in piglet intestine. The results also suggest that the defensive barrier of the stomach can be impaired as S. suis became dominant while the proportion of Lactobacillus populations decreased after weaning, which may further result in an increase of S. suis abundance in the intestine.