Alginate oligosaccharide-induced intestinal morphology, barrier function and epithelium apoptosis modifications have beneficial effects on the growth performance of weaned pigs.

In summary, this study provides evidence that supplemental AOS beneficially affects the growth performance of weaned pigs, which may result from the improved intestinal morphology and barrier function, as well as the inhibited enterocyte death, through reducing apoptosis via mitochondria-dependent apoptosis.