The impact of feed additives on the microbialecology of the gut in young pigs

The diverse collection of microorganisms colonising the healthy gastrointestinal tract of pigs, referred to as the microbiota, plays an essential role not only for the well-being of the animal, but also for animal nutrition and performance and for the quality of animal products. A number of naturally-occurring and artificial factors has been shown to affect the composition and activity of the microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs, these include: diet composition, growth promoting antibiotics, copper, use of probiotics, specific carbohydrates, organic acids and fermented feed.