The Importance of The Gastrointestinal Tract Health in Swine

Protein consumption is increasing from year to year. One of the needs of protein can be sourced from pork, especially for Hindus in Bali. There are several types / breeds of pigs that develop in Indonesia. Original Indonesian pig breeds such as: bali pigs, nias pigs, krawang pigs, sumba pigs, batak pigs, tana toraja pigs. Some imported pig breeds such as duroc, large white (Yorkshire), Saddle Back, and landrace.

Local pig breeds are hard to find in Bali. Bali pigs that are often found are the result of crossing between Balinese pigs with imported pigs such as Bali pigs with saddle back, landrace, or with other types. Bali pigs are one of the pig breeds and are the original germplasm of Bali that must be preserved. Bali pig farming is less attractive to the public because of its lower production appearance compared to other races.  Therefore, an attempt was made to preserve and develop the Bali pig to prevent it from extinction.

Animal health, including pigs, one of which is determined by the health of the digestive tract. Healthy digestive tract is very influential on endurance. Healthy digestive tract will support the immune system. Several studies report the relationship between the health of the digestive system with immunity. The body's natural immune system is about 70% determined by the health of the digestive tract. A body with a healthy digestive tract causes the absorption of nutrients, metabolism and body defense to occur optimally.

Pigs are classified as monogastric animals, with the digestive tract composed of 5 main parts namely: oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. The digestive tract becomes one of the places of entry of microorganisms into the animal's body. Morphology of the digestive tract, especially the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ilium), is one of the important indicators that reflects its development and response to various feed components consumed and the entry of microorganisms.

The main function of the small intestine (intestinum tenue) is to digest, secrete and absorb nutrients. The channel meanders with different lengths depending on species, race, and age. Each animal species has a different digestive morphology, this is largely determined by the habitat, type and behavior of eating animals, age and sex.

The micro structure of the digestive tract has several layers including: mucosal layer, sub mucosal layer, muscle layer and the outermost layer called the serous layer. Each layer has its role and function. The layer that comes in direct contact with food that enters the body is called the mucosal layer and is composed of various types of epithelial cells produced by progenitor cells. The turnover of these cells is very high especially in neonatal piglets. the more mature the rate of epithelial cell replacement slows.

Many studies have been conducted to maintain and improve the health of the digestive tract. Feeding that contains sources of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, iron and fluids, maintaining the balance of nutrients needed by the body. Foods that contain vitamins and minerals act as micronutrients, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory which can increase the body's immunity, including the digestive tract, so that the body can survive from infectious and inflammatory agents. Some studies report that giving probiotics can improve intestinal health.

Antibiotic feed additives have been used extensively and successfully in pig feeds over many years to improve health and performance, but only appear to be effective under certain circumstances. Risks associated predominately with antibiotic resistance of microbes in human have caused the banning or restriction of antibiotics as feed additives for pig production in some parts of the world.

Some diseases that can attack the digestive tract in pigs, both sourced from bacteria, parasites and viruses. Clinical symptoms are determined by the number of infectious agents and the level of host immunity. Infection in the digestive tract will affect the shape, structure and size of the digestive tract both seen directly and under a microscope.This knowledge has resulted in many studies conducted to reveal the role and relationship of gastrointestinal health with various diseases caused by infectious and toxic agents.