Background:

the presence of an ever-growing number of gastrointestinal pathogens is causing economic losses to the swine industry. The prophylactic and therapeutic uses of antibiotics is not the solution. Aim. To analyze the interactions between the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and the microbiota (enhanced through probiotic use), which have improved the health and production indicators of pigs (piglets and pre-fattening).

Development:

Enteropathies (colibacillosis and salmonellosis) are a significant and frequent cause of mortality of piglets and pre-fattening pigs in intensive breeding systems. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a transcription factor (ligand-dependent) which is widely expressed in immune, epithelial, endothelial, stromal cells, and tissue. It regulates the microbe-host symbiosis by ligand activation in the diet. The AHR-IL-22 axis (aryl-hydrocarbon receptor-inteleukin-22 axis) in the intestine plays an important role in the defense of the host against microbial pathogens, while providing resistance to these diseases.

Conclusions:

the AHR receptors are important in the restoration of damage possibly caused by pathogens or an inappropriate diet in postweaning pigs, by re-establishing and creating stability in the intestinal microbiota; the utilization of probiotics, may lead to favorable responses of the production and health indicators of piglets and pre-fattening pigs.