Dirkjan Schokker

IntroductionMaintenance of general health and prevention of infectious diseases are critically dependent on intestinal homeostasis and proper immune competence. In this regard, early colonization of the gut by microbiota as well as the concomitant development of the intestinal immune system has been proven to be important [1,2,3]. Immediately after birth, the intestine is colonized by bacteria der ...

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study is to investigate the effect of a maternal antibiotic administration during the last week of gestation on the early life intestinal development in neonatal piglets. Colonization of the gut with bacteria starts during birth and plays a major role in the intestinal and immunological development of the intestine. We demonstrate that maternal interventions induced c ...