Feed Additives and Micronutrients on Performance, Nutrient Utilization, Immunity, Oxidative Stress, Gut Health and Microbiome of Pigs and Sows: Third Edition

Dear Colleagues,

In modern swine production, weaning pigs and sows face several challenges, including stress, disease, nutritional deficiencies, and gut-related issues. Nutrition, particularly the inclusion of functional amino acids, micronutrients, and feed additives, plays a key role in supporting growth, immune function, gut health, and overall resilience. Sows are essential to swine productivity, and their reproductive performance, colostrum and milk quality, and maternal gut microbiome directly affect the survival, development, and immunity of their piglets.

Studies have shown that both traditional and novel feed additives, along with functional amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, can enhance nutrient utilization, immunity, antioxidant capacity, gut integrity, microbial balance, and intestinal barrier function. These benefits are especially important during vulnerable periods, such as weaning, when piglets are prone to stress, oxidative damage, and gut permeability, and farrowing, when sows experience significant physiological stress.

However, further research is required to determine the optimal levels and specific functions of these nutrients and additives, as well as to better understand their mechanisms of action.

This Special Issue invites original research and review articles focused on the roles of feed additives, functional amino acids, and micronutrients in enhancing performance, immunity, resistance to oxidative stress, gut microbiota, and intestinal health in pigs and sows. The aim is to support sustainable, health-focused swine production through science-based nutritional strategies.

Dr. Young-Dal Jang
Guest Editor

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