Soluble or insoluble fibre? The relationship between fibre type and post-weaning gut health in pigs

During her PhD studies, Antonia Vania Adji investigated the influence of soluble and insoluble dietary fibre on gut health and performance in weaned piglets, with particular focus on nutrient digestibility, diarrhoea, gut microbiota, and fermentation patterns. These two fibre types, classified according to their physicochemical properties, have been reported to affect gut health differently but also inconsistently.

The new research findings contribute to a better understanding of the complex nature of the effects of dietary fibre and its potential to enhance piglet gut health in the vulnerable post-weaning period.

The PhD study was completed at Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Friday, 4 September 2026 at 10:00
Place: Building 8814, room 3075, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele
Title of PhD thesis: The influence of dietary fibre on gut health, nutrient digestibility, and post-weaning diarrhoea
Contact information: Antonia Vania Adji, e-mail: antonia.adji@anivet.au.dk, tel.: +45 93521186
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Johan Dicksved, Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden.
Senior Scientist A.J.M (Alfons) Jansman, Department of Animal Nutrition, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands.
Senior Researcher Ole Højberg (chair), Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Main supervisor: Professor Knud Erik Bach Knudsen, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Co-supervisor: 
Senior Researcher Nuria Canibe, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Senior Scientist Ruben Adrián Grosso, Present address: Department of Global Livestock Research, Novonesis, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.