Research team
Expertise
Histological techniques, anatomical preparations and raising neonatal/juvenile piglets – feed research.
Does biological sex determine the outcome of early life adverse events? What a leaky gut has to say?
Abstract
The central objective of this project is to demonstrate that early-life stress is a risk factor for the development of gastrointestinal dysfunction and that males and females differ in how they cope with early-life stress. This differing response is believed to be present already in utero, whereby it is suggested that the male offspring is disadvantaged in responding to stressors during pregnancy. However, during postnatal development, the female appears to be the weaker sex when it comes to the development of a leaky gut and a dysfunctional gastrointestinal tract. In this project, we want the study sex-related differences in intestinal permeability during the period when the gastrointestinal tract undergoes extensive developmental changes. During this window of plasticity, stressors can disrupt the normal developmental process, having long-lasting effects on the gut. Therefore, we will include early life stress during late gestation (intrauterine growth restriction) or during the juvenile phase (chronic stress during artificial rearing) in our set-up to research whether males and females mount a differing response. This will be done in a newborn and juvenile piglet.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
- Co-promoter: Van Bockstal Lieselotte
- Fellow: Banous Naya
- Fellow: Mohaghegh Toosi Ali
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Humane killing of pigs.
Abstract
Flemish pig farms face a number of important techno-economic challenges: high perinatal mortality, challenge to rear increasingly large and heterogeneous litters, decline in performance around weaning with increased susceptibility to infections, prophylactic antibiotic use, etc. These techno-economic problems affect animal welfare and often present the pig farmer with the choice of keeping an animal alive or not (e.g. weak piglets in the farrowing pen). Notwithstanding that the legislator provides a framework regarding the killing of animals/pigs, elaborating a transparent policy at sector level is difficult. Moreover, due to fears of public opinion, pig farmers are very reluctant to communicate a policy on the killing of sick and weak piglets - and on the extension of older age classes of pigs. The outcomes of this project are a decision tree, an educational package and competency assessment that will be developed with input from the different stakeholders.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Chair "Collen-Francqui Professor 2021-2022" (Prof. Per Sangild).
Abstract
Prof. Sangild will give a series of 4 lectures on his research that he will present under the heading of 'survival of weak newborns - a cross-species science." The lectures will be partly in person, partly online. They are organised between 26th April 2022 and 16th May 2022.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Development of a guidance document for improving zebrafish welfare in laboratory animal facilities.
Abstract
About 10-15% of all animals used as laboratory animals in Flanders are fish. While the assessment of animal welfare is well established for mammals, the optimal conditions for guaranteeing fish welfare are less known or documented. A formal framework for optimizing and monitoring zebrafish welfare does currently not exist. This project therefore aims to develop a guidance document providing scientific and practical instructions for improving zebrafish welfare in laboratory animal facilities. The guidance document will be relevant to animal caretakers, technicians, responsible scientists, members of ethical committees, and animal welfare inspectors.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Knapen Dries
- Co-promoter: De Boeck Gudrun
- Co-promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
- Co-promoter: Vergauwen Lucia
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Histomorphological analysis of intestinal samples of pigs and chicken
Abstract
Histological sections of the different intestinal samples will be stained histochemically and using image analysis villus length, crypt depth, crypt width and the number of goblet cells will be determined. Pictures will be taken from the different regions. All data will be analyzed in UGent.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
INTRODUCTION AND OPTIMIZATION OF NOVEL REARDING STRATEGIES TO OBTAIN MORE RESILIENT PIGS
Abstract
The modern Flemish pig breeding farms face important technical and economic challenges: perinatal piglet mortality is high, rearing the increasing numbers of large litters (>20 piglets/litter) is a major challenge, and the abrupt weaning of pigs causes a decline in performance and an increase in the susceptibility to infections. Consistent with these problems, there is an extremely high prophylactic antibiotic use. Together with the pork industry, we want to give impetus to address these challenges. This project aims to introduce and optimize innovative concepts in piglet rearing in order to raise more resilient piglets in a profitable way. 'Resilience' is defined as the ability of the animal to restore its homeostasis if it is disturbed under normal physiological conditions. The innovative concepts we will optimize and introduce in the pig breeding farms are: 1 / interventions at the neonatal big: split-suckling, drenching of bioactive substances, and 2 / interventions to prepare for the process of weaning: multi-suckling with foraging. Split-suckling involves splitting up the litter into smaller groups which alternately get the chance to suckle colostrum and milk. Up to now there is much discussion on which criteria are best used for making the groups and what the optimal timing of the suckling periods is. Bioactive substances (antioxidants, bovine colostrum or whey protein concentrates, and oligosaccharides) can be administered via booster preparations, or enclosed in artificial milk and creep feed. Which bioactive substances will result in more resilient pigs in a profitable way is the main focus of this UAntwerpen PhD. The concept of multi-suckling involves opening the farrowing crates at a certain age of the piglets. This allows the piglets to interact and to suckle also other sows in order to maximize feed intake. The different rearing strategies that will be optimized in this project are relatively easy to implement in existing breeding systems in Flanders and do not require large investments. Nevertheless, we want to optimize the knowledge on the effects on performance, resilience of these concepts and make an inventory of the labor costs these concepts request. Knowing the effects (short and long term) on performance and resilience will facilitate introducing the concepts into the pig farms and reduce the prophylactic use of antimicrobials.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Validation of the piglet as animal model for deficient motor development : the paradigm of locomotion.
Abstract
Advances in antenatal medicine and neonatal intensive care have resulted in improved survival of human infants born with a low birth weight and at the limits of viability, but not in the reductions of motor deficits. Locomotor skills are essential for participation in all daily activities and therefore are paradigmatic for insights in motor development in general. Longitudinal experimental designs studying locomotion are needed to elucidate the contributions of intra-uterine growth restricted development of the musculoskeletal and the nervous system onto the motor deficits. Such fundamental longitudinal experiments are ethically controversial in human infants, necessitating appropriate animal models for research. In modern sows, piglets born with a low birth weight and low viability frequently occur. These piglets show characteristics of underdevelopment similar as those seen in human infants with a low birth weight and viability. This, together with their high physiological resemblance, makes the pig an ideal model to study the development of growth-impaired locomotion. This project characterizes and compares the longitudinal development of locomotion in the normal and low birth weight piglet. To this purpose we make use of 4D-morphology, dynamic mechanical modelling and functional morphological analyses (cfr. the concept of neuromechanics). This requires the technological development of rapid 3D dual energy tomography (including soft tissue reconstructions) integrated in the existing 3D²YMOX-platform (biplane X-ray). Differences in both coordination and control will be linked to changes at the level of the musculoskeletal, as well as the neurological components of the locomotor system.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Aerts Peter
- Co-promoter: Dirckx Joris
- Co-promoter: Sijbers Jan
- Co-promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
3D Dynamical Morphology by Biplane high speed Xray-videography.
Abstract
This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand the Hercules Foundation. UA provides the Hercules Foundation research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Aerts Peter
- Co-promoter: Dirckx Joris
- Co-promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Optimisation of the redox status for improved intestinal health in intra-uterine growth-retarded pigs.
Abstract
This project represents a research agreement between the UA and on the onther hand IWT. UA provides IWT research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Francqui Chair 2010-2011 Prof. Poul Hyttel.
Abstract
Proposed by the University, the Francqui Foundation each year awards two Francqui Chairs at the UAntwerp. These are intended to enable the invitation of a professor from another Belgian University or from abroad for a series of ten lessons. The Francqui Foundation pays the fee for these ten lessons directly to the holder of a Francqui Chair.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Bols Peter
- Co-promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
How plastic is the enteric nervous system in IUGR piglets?
Abstract
Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) impairs gut growth. This study examines the relation between IUGR and a possibly compromised enteric nervous system. The latter could contribute to the lower growth rates observed in IUGR.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Neuropathy and neuroplasticity of the enteric nervous system playing a part in the ethiopathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis in the preterm piglet and neonatal rat.
Abstract
Approximately 10% of the low birth weight infants develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Symptoms of NEC such as abnormal intestinal motility, permeability and blood flow can be linked to a neuropathy of the enteric nervous system (ENS). In the preterm piglet and neonatal rat, in vivo and in vitro experiments will be used to challenge the hypothesis that a neuropathy of the ENS plays a role in the ethiopathogenesis of NEC.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Supplementing the immunoglobulin-free fraction of bovine colostral whey to the suckling piglet: effect on growth performances, intestinal physiology and morphology.
Abstract
Optimizing growth and health during the suckling period of piglets with impaired growth is an economic challenge and relevant for improving animal welfare. This projects investigates which subfractions of immunoglobulin-free bovine colostral whey could promote growth and health in suckling piglets by studying key-structures and functions in the small intestine both in vivo and in vitro at the macro- (nutritional and growth effects) and micro-level (effects on intestinal morphology and physiological parameters).Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
- Co-promoter: Dewilde Sylvia
- Co-promoter: Hesta Myriam
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Supplementing the immunoglobulin-free fraction of bovine colostral whey to the suckling piglet: impact on growth performances, intestinal physiology and morphology.
Abstract
Optimizing growth and health during the suckling period of piglets with impaired growth is an economic and ethical challenge. This projects investigates the immunoglobulin-free fraction of bovine colostral whey and: 1/ describes the effects on macro- (nutritional and growth effects) and micro leve' (relevant morphological and functional gastrointestinal parameters) of bio-active substances present. 2/ points out which parts can be held responsible for the observed effects. 3/ creates a method (model) for estimating the efficacy of food compounds regarding growth in function of the effects on intestinal physiology and morphologyResearcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
In vivo and in vitro effects of colostrum and milk replacer on the enteric nervous system of the preterm piglet.
Abstract
Feeding human milk, when compared with formulated milk, results in a better growth and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract. These beneficial effects can be attributed, at least in part to the unique composition of human milk. Topic of this study will be to investigate to what extent these beneficial effects are mediated by a modulation of the morphology of the enteric nervous system in an in vivo and in vitro pig model.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
The premature piglet, an animal model to study the role of factors contributing to the development and treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis.
Abstract
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) afflicts 7-10% of the premature babies and has a mortality rate of 20-40%. NEC occurs in premature piglets being fed a milk replacer. This project aims to describe the morphology and functional characteristics of this animal model. By manipulating the availability of arginine and NO, we aim to find clues for the cause of NEC.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
The premature piglet, an animal model to study the role of factors contributing to the development and treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis.
Abstract
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) afflicts 7-10% of the premature babies and has a mortality rate of 20-40%. NEC occurs in premature piglets being fed a milk replacer. This project aims to describe the morphology and functional characteristics of this animal model. By manipulating the availability of arginine and NO, we aim to find clues for the cause of NEC.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Abstract
Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Weyns Andre
- Co-promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Abstract
Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Ginneken Chris
- Co-promoter: Weyns Andre
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project