This collection summarises current research on the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract in pigs, the factors that can influence its effectiveness, as well as the nutritional strategies that can improve gut development and optimise gut function.

Part 1 The gut microbiome and pig gut health1.Microbial ecosystems as targets for improving pig gut health: Mick Bailey, Laura Peachey, Sarah Lambton and Chris Stokes, University of Bristol, UK; 2.Metabolic services of intestinal microbiota of swine: metabolism of carbohydrates and bile salts: Weilan Wang, University of Calgary, Canada; and Tingting Ju and Michael G. Gänzle, University of Alberta, Canada; 3.Microbiological services delivered by the pig gut microbiome: James T. Cullen, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland; Peadar G. Lawlor, Teagasc Moorepark, Ireland; and Gillian E. Gardiner, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland; Part 2 Analysing the pig gut microbiome4.The gut microbiota in pigs: ecology and biotherapeutics: Thomas C. A. Hitch and David Wylensek, Institute for Medical Microbiology – RWTH University Hospital, Germany; Jürgen Harlizius, Chamber of Agriculture North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany; and Thomas Clavel, Institute for Medical Microbiology – RWTH University Hospital, Germany; 5.Understanding the relationship between the microbiome and the structure and function of the pig gastrointestinal tract: Chunlong Mu and Weiyun Zhu, Nanjing Agricultural University, China; 6.Understanding the development of the gut microbiome in pigs: an overview: Marion Borey, Jordi Estelle and Claire Rogel-Gaillard, Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, France; Part 3 Techniques to optimise gut function by manipulating gut microbiomes7.The use of prebiotics to optimize gut function in pigs: Barbara U. Metzler-Zebeli, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria; 8.The use of dietary fibre to optimize microbial gut function in pigs, with particular consideration of dietary cereal grains and legumes: Barbara A. Williams and Michael J. Gidley, Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Australia;9.The use of exogenous enzymes to optimize gut function in pigs: David Torrallardona, Joan Tarradas and Núria Tous, IRTA, Spain; 10.Improving gut function in pigs to prevent dysbiosis and postweaning diarrhoea: Charlotte Lauridsen, Ole Højberg and Nuria Canibe, Aarhus University, Denmark; 11.Improving gut function in pigs to prevent pathogen colonization: P. Bosi, D. Luise and P. Trevisi, University of Bologna, Italy; 12.Microbial protein metabolism in the monogastric gastrointestinal tract: a review: Kim C. M. Lammers-Jannink, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands; Stefanía Magnúsdóttir, UMC Utrecht, The Netherlands; Wilbert F. Pellikaan, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands; John Pluske, The University of Melbourne, Australia; and Walter J. J. Gerrits, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands;

“Relevant and timely. I have followed the work of Professors Bailey and Stokes for many years and this project is yet another important contribution to the knowledge base involving gut health of pigs.”Dr. Tom Burkey; Professor, Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; President, Digestive Physiology of Pigs-North America; U.S. Representative to the Digestive Physiology of Pigs International Steering CommitteeThe pig production sector faces many challenges, including the need to improve feed efficiency to reduce emissions from manure, finding alternative methods to prevent the onset of diseases affecting swine, as well as ensuring that the welfare of pigs is consistent with consumer and regulatory agencies’ expectations.Understanding gut microbiomes as targets for improving pig gut health offers a comprehensive coverage of the wealth of research on the porcine gastrointestinal tract, its key role in pig health and nutrition, as well as its implications for improving feed efficiency and growth. This collection details how optimising the gut microbiome can contribute to an overall improvement in pig health.Edited by Professor Mick Bailey and Emeritus Professor Chris Stokes, University of Bristol, UK, Understanding gut microbiomes as targets for improving pig gut health will be a standard reference text for pig/swine scientists in universities and research centres, pig feed manufacturers, and government and private sector agencies advising pig farmers on health and nutrition.Dr Mick Bailey is Professor of Comparative Immunology at the University of Bristol’s world-famous Veterinary School. Professor Bailey has an international reputation for his research on the development of the mucosal immune system in pigs.Dr Chris Stokes is Emeritus Professor of Mucosal Immunology at the University of Bristol. Professor Stokes is internationally known for his research on mucosal immunity in several domestic species with a particular focus on the role of maternal factors in driving immune development in young pigs.

"As a nutritionist I liked this book a lot. I like the setup of the book and how it starts with the gut microbiome and works through to the different ways to manipulate the gut bacteria, including enzymes and different kinds of fibre. I think this is a great book with a lot of advanced information.” Dr Darlene Bloxham, Adisseo, USA

“Relevant and timely. I have followed the work of Professor’s Bailey and Stokes for many years and this project is yet another important contribution to the knowledge base involving gut health of pigs.”Dr. Tom Burkey; Professor, Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; President, Digestive Physiology of Pigs-North America; U.S. Representative to the Digestive Physiology of Pigs International Steering Committee