Betaine increases net portal absorption of volatile fatty acids in Iberian pigs

• Published in: Animal (Cambridge, England) England), 2021-05, Vol.15 (5), p.100197-100197, Article 100197
• Main Authors: Lachica, M., Saro, C., Mateos, I., Gómez-García, M., Ranilla, M.J., Fernández-Fígares, I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacterial population; Fermentation; Net portal flux; Short chain fatty acids; Sus scrofa mediterraneus
• ISSN: 1751-7311; 1751-732X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100197

Betaine is an osmolyte with the potential to increase volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production and hence improve intestinal health.The present study investigated how betaine affects portal and arterial concentrations and net portal absorption (NPA) of VFA in growing Iberian pigs. Eight 30 kg BW Iberian growing barrows with indwelling catheters in portal vein, ileal vein and carotid artery were randomly assigned to a control diet or a diet supplemented with 0.5% betaine. Para-aminohippuric acid was infused into the ileal vein as a marker to determine portal blood flow using the dilution method. Blood samples were simultaneously taken from the carotid artery and portal vein at −60, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 min after feeding 1 200 g of the diet. The NPA of VFA (acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, isobutyrate and caproate) was determined by multiplying the porto-arterial plasma concentration differences by portal plasma flow. Betaine increased NPA of acetate (1.44 fold; P