Gastrointestinal and body growth in colostrum-deprived piglets in response to whey, casein or soy protein diets

Cow's milk stimulates growth in neonates and supplementation with specific milk proteins may benefit immuno-compromized neonates exhibiting poor growth. We investigated the effects of specific milk proteins (casein and whey) and plant protein (hydrolysed soy) on body and organ growth and bone mineralization in colostrum-deprived newborn pigs. Six days after birth, both casein and whey increased body and small intestinal weight relative to soy protein. Villus morphology and epithelial permeability were similar among groups. Casein significantly increased bone mineralization, while whey stimulated soft tissue growth (internal organs, muscle and fat). The differential effects of casein and whey proteins in the early postnatal period show that specific milk proteins rapidly affect whole body and gut development, even in a state of impaired growth induced by artificial feeding of colostrum-deprived pigs.