Glutamina para leitões nas fases iniciais de crescimento: meta-análise

Abstract

This study was conducted to analyze glutamine levels in piglet diets and their effects on morphology, microbiota, and performance in the post-weaning phase through a meta-analysis. To prepare the study, a database was created from the selection and collection of scientific articles indexed and published between 2015 and 2025. Searches were performed on the Google Scholar, Scielo, PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct platforms, using the keywords “glutamine” combined with ‘weaned’ and “piglets.” The primary criterion for selecting articles was: articles addressing piglets, post-weaning, and glutamine. The secondary eligibility criteria defined were: a) in vivo studies; b) studies comprising at least two diets (glutamine-free diet and glutamine-containing diet); c) performance studies; and d) studies conducted between 18 and 35 days. Weekly evaluations were performed from the first day after weaning until the 35th day after weaning. In the database of articles used, glutamine supplementation ranged from 0 to 1.0%. Glutamine supplementation improves feed intake, gain, and conversion in piglets in the first, second, and third weeks after weaning. In the fourth week, glutamine improves feed intake and conversion. Glutamine increases villus height and improves the villus:crypt ratio in the jejunum and ileum. A glutamine level of 0.47 to 0.67% is recommended in the diet of piglets from the first to the 28th day after weaning.