Monogastric animals - Nutrition & Management

Our research and education in monogastric animals comprise nutritional physiology, feed evaluation (nutritional and anti-nutritional factors), and impact of nutrition on health and performance (exercise, growth, lactation) in different management systems. We are currently working mainly with pigs and horses, and have recently started research capacity building in fish nutrition.

The research includes whole animal studies as well as studies of at organ and cellular level. The focus in our work is nutrient metabolism and nutrient utilization, and the impact of anti-nutritional substances in the feed on nutrition, health and performance. In the context of nutrition and health, we are interested in functional properties of the feed. Applied research, mainly on nutrient and energy metabolism, nutrient utilisation and fluid balance, is an important part of our work. As part of our research, we also continuously develop analytical methods and animal models.

On going projects

We are currently studying the impact of fibre content and fibre quality in diets for weaned piglets, on gut function, health and performance. In organic pig meat production, we are running a project on the performance of growing pigs fed diets with reduced content of protein and amino acids. Our research in horses mainly concerns the impact of diet composition and nutrient intake on intestinal status, fluid balance, metabolism, health and exercise response. Moreover, we are studying the potential of conventional and non-conventional feedstuffs, including by-products from the food industry, as well as various biotechnological approaches to manipulate the dietary properties.