U of M faculty find antimicrobials altering intestinal bacteria composition in swine
Antibiotics are routinely administered to swine to treat illness and to promote larger, leaner animals.
The results of the study, conducted by Richard Isaacson, Ph.D., microbiologist and professor within the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine, alongside his U of M and University of Illinois research teams, were published yesterday in the journal PNAS.
To arrive at their results, the researchers tracked the effects of the antimicrobial Tylosin. The effects were observed in the feces of commercial pigs on two farms in southwestern Minnesota.
In young pigs receiving Tylosin, the intestinal bacterial composition changed and was similar to the composition naturally accredited to an older animal. These changes are linked to improved growth and stimulate an early maturation of the immune system.
“Bacterial composition drives the ability of animals to grow and thrive by contributing to digestion and metabolism,” said Isaacson. “Because the bacteria in more mature animals break down growth-promoting components in food more efficiently, younger animals are able to achieve adult size and an adult-like metabolic rate more quickly.”
According to Isaacson, the question has now shifted to whether or not researchers can use this new understanding to recreate this ideal-growth composition in swine produced for human consumption without antibiotic use.
The College of Veterinary Medicine improves the health and well-being of animals and people by providing high-quality veterinary training, conducting leading-edge research, and delivering innovative veterinary services.
Media Contact
More Information:
http://www.umn.eduAll latest news from the category: Life Sciences and Chemistry
Articles and reports from the Life Sciences and chemistry area deal with applied and basic research into modern biology, chemistry and human medicine.
Valuable information can be found on a range of life sciences fields including bacteriology, biochemistry, bionics, bioinformatics, biophysics, biotechnology, genetics, geobotany, human biology, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, cellular biology, zoology, bioinorganic chemistry, microchemistry and environmental chemistry.
Newest articles
Sea slugs inspire highly stretchable biomedical sensor
USC Viterbi School of Engineering researcher Hangbo Zhao presents findings on highly stretchable and customizable microneedles for application in fields including neuroscience, tissue engineering, and wearable bioelectronics. The revolution in…
Twisting and binding matter waves with photons in a cavity
Precisely measuring the energy states of individual atoms has been a historical challenge for physicists due to atomic recoil. When an atom interacts with a photon, the atom “recoils” in…
Nanotubes, nanoparticles, and antibodies detect tiny amounts of fentanyl
New sensor is six orders of magnitude more sensitive than the next best thing. A research team at Pitt led by Alexander Star, a chemistry professor in the Kenneth P. Dietrich…